Beyond Indigenous Environmental Knowledge: Rethinking Environmental Reorientation for a Green Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in Port Harcourt have intensified concerns about whether environmental practices brought from residents’ places of origin are compatible with urban sustainability. This study examined the relationships between indigenous environmental practices, cosmopolitanism, policy implementation, infrastructure, and the green status of Port Harcourt City. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and 378 usable questionnaires were obtained from adult residents of the Port Harcourt metropolis. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient at the 0.05 significance level. Indigenous environmental practices had a weak but significant negative association with green status (r = −0.168, p = 0.001). Cosmopolitanism showed a weak positive association (r = 0.215, p < 0.001), while policy implementation had the strongest positive association (r = 0.312, p < 0.001). Infrastructure was also positively associated with green status (r = 0.289, p < 0.001). These findings indicate that indigenous environmental practices, as expressed in this urban context, may not independently support the transition towards a green city. Conversely, cosmopolitan environmental orientations, effective policy implementation, and adequate infrastructure are associated with improved perceptions of urban green status. The study concludes that achieving a greener Port Harcourt requires environmental reorientation, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, sustained investment in waste-management and green infrastructure, and environmental education that promotes responsible urban practices.