Research Article
Evaluation of Socio-economic Deprivation and the Effectiveness of Government Intervention Programs for Rural Development in Rivers State, Nigeria
Wocha Chikagbum*
,
Opuenebo Binya Owei,
Ibama Brown,
Tari Eyenghe
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
178-188
Received:
17 September 2026
Accepted:
28 September 2026
Published:
21 October 2026
Abstract: Despite numerous government initiatives in rural Rivers State, socio-economic deprivation persists, evident in limited access to potable water, healthcare, education, roads, and employment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of government interventions through a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative household surveys determined using the Taro Yamane formula. (n=399; valid responses n=372, 93.2% response rate) with qualitative key informant interviews across 21 communities in six Local Government Areas. (Abua/Odual, Degema, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo, Ikwerre and Ogu/Bolo). Findings showed that 25.8% of the population had no formal education and 21.5% of children aged fifteen were out of school. Households experienced significant infrastructural deprivation, with 67.3% lacking water supply, 58.9% lacking electricity and 86.8% lacking telephone access, while 58.1% of buildings were inaccessible by car. Employment stood at only 30.9%, 25.9% of respondents earned below the national minimum wage, and 53.9% fell within the low-income bracket. The overall SEDI score of 50.9 based on 7 core indicators (education, unemployment, income, water, electricity, overcrowding and cooking energy) revealed moderate socio-economic deprivation in the study area. Results confirmed that deprivation is multidimensional and spatially unequal, with each LGA facing varying degrees and types of challenges. Abua-Odual suffered the most deprivation LGA mainly due to poor water supply, severe overcrowding and low income. Ogu-Bolo had the lowest socio-economic deprivation index (SEDI), but still has moderate issues especially with overcrowding and reliance on traditional energy for cooking. A complementary study-area socio-economic deprivation profile identified overcrowding as the most severe deprivation indicator. Although 44.9% of households had benefited from at least one government intervention programme, only 34.1% expressed satisfaction. The hypothesis testing confirmed that deprivation significantly influenced housing conditions (χ² = 48.672, p = 0.000) with a moderate effect size (Cramer's V = 0.256) while existing rural development programmes have had only a weak effect on living conditions (χ² = 8.921, p = 0.012) with a weak effect size (Cramer’s V = 0.155) Deprivation was also found to have far-reaching social and psychological consequences, including reduced quality of life, increased illiteracy and stress. The study concluded that rural deprivation in Rivers State is multidimensional, spatially variable and only weakly addressed by existing interventions.
Abstract: Despite numerous government initiatives in rural Rivers State, socio-economic deprivation persists, evident in limited access to potable water, healthcare, education, roads, and employment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of government interventions through a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative household surveys determined using the...
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Research Article
Implementing the (3ms) Framework to Achieve Sustainable Facade Design and Architectural Resilience in Developing Countries
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
189-213
Received:
29 August 2026
Accepted:
14 September 2026
Published:
12 November 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.urp.20261104.12
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Views:
Abstract: Rapid urbanization, increasing electricity demand, and developing environmental challenges have created a pressing need for sustainable and climate-responsive architectural solutions in Bangladesh. Despite the growing adoption of sustainable façade techniques, there remains a lack of an integrated design framework that systematically connects sustainability goals with practical architectural implementation in developing-country contexts. This study aims to propose and apply the 3Ms framework—Missions, Milestones, and Methods—as a structured approach for achieving sustainable façade design and enhancing architectural resilience. The study adopts a qualitative design methodology combining an in-depth literature review, architectural case-study analysis, on-site field research, and design development using AutoCAD, SketchUp, ArchiCAD, and Lumion for drafting, modelling, documentation, and visualization. The gathered evidence from literature, case studies, and field observations is synthesized to develop the 3Ms framework, where Missions outline sustainability and resilience targets, Milestones establish progressive design goals, and Methods identify appropriate architectural strategies for implementation. The framework is finally applied to a proposed building design incorporating passive façade interventions, locally available materials, green design techniques, natural ventilation principles, and photovoltaic façade integration. The study presents the architectural application of the proposed framework and evaluates its potential contribution to sustainable façade design through comparative design considerations and photovoltaic integration. The findings highlight the relevance of a structured decision-making framework for guiding architects and planners in developing context-responsive and environmentally conscious building envelopes. However, the study is limited by its design-based and case-study-oriented approach, and further research involving validated building-performance simulation and long-term post-occupancy evaluation is recommended. The major contribution of this research is the development of the 3Ms framework as a practical architectural approach that links sustainability goals with implementable façade design strategies for Bangladesh and other developing countries.
Abstract: Rapid urbanization, increasing electricity demand, and developing environmental challenges have created a pressing need for sustainable and climate-responsive architectural solutions in Bangladesh. Despite the growing adoption of sustainable façade techniques, there remains a lack of an integrated design framework that systematically connects susta...
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