Research Article

CIVIL ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR MITIGATING FLOOD HAZARDS IN PORT HARCOURT'S RAPIDLY URBANIZING ENVIRONMENT

ISSN: 3067-4409

DOI Prefix: 10.5281/zenodo.

Authors: Erik Johan Svensson
Published: Volume 11, Issue 2 (2024)
Date: July 2, 2025

Abstract

The advent of the 21st century has witnessed an unprecedented surge in urbanization, transforming cities into epicenters of economic dynamism, innovation, and societal evolution. Yet, this rapid urban growth, coupled with environmental degradation, has presented multifaceted challenges, necessitating a paradigm shift towards resilient, eco-friendly smart cities to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 objectives. This paper focuses on the context of Nigeria, a nation undergoing rapid urbanization, and explores the transition towards sustainable urban development. The research elucidates how resilient, low-carbon smart cities play a crucial role in addressing the intertwined issues of urbanization, climate change, and sustainable development. Emphasizing the importance of comprehensive planning and strong governance frameworks, the paper advocates leveraging cutting-edge technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to bolster urban resilience and mitigate carbon emissions. Ultimately, the paper calls for a paradigm shift towards resilient, low-carbon smart cities as a linchpin for attaining SDG 2030 in Nigeria, stressing the necessity of collaborative efforts among policymakers, urban planners, academia, civil society, and the private sector to forge a path towards inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable urban development.