This study examined the role of gas flaring in the rapid corrosion of zinc roofs in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Four experimental sites were set up where samples of galvanized iron sheet (popularly called ''zinc roofs'') were exposed to the atmosphere. The corrosion behaviour of galvanized iron sheet through weight loss determination under different environmental conditions was monitored. A uniform angle of inclination of 22°( which represents the mean angle of inclination of house roofs in the study area) was chosen. The results showed that corrosion was more severe (average readings of 25.89, 34.30, and 21.27 mg) in the three experimental sites that were located near pollution sources such as gas flare station or sea aerosols, than at the controlled site (2.36 mg) that was located far away from pollution sources. It is recommended that government's policy of zero gas flaring for oil companies operating in the Niger Delta by 2010 be pursued with vigour, so as to realize the deadline and subsequently reduce the economic burden currently suffered by the inhabitants of the Niger Delta through frequent replacement of house roofs and incessant illnesses. In addition, individuals and companies operating in the region should avoid bush burning, reduce the rate of fossil fuel consumption by conserving energy, and install catalytic converters in cars and industrial chimneys, so as to reduce emissions.

Wetlands constitute only two percent of the world's land mass. Yet, a total of 10% of the world population live in wetlands. Also, about 13% of global urban settlements are found in wetlands. Coastal ecosystems are among the most productive in the world and are among the most threatened. A significant global response to this threat was the 1971 Convention held in Ramsar, Iran, to save the world's wetlands. Unfortunately, most developing countries are not signatories to the convention, and those that are have paid passive attention to its articles; leading to massive loss of wetlands in these countries. Cities along water ways and basins (such as Calabar) are known for their rapid growth. Calabar has witnessed a rapid urban growth of recent. This growth has led to severe encroachment into the city's wetlands formed by the Great Kwa and Calabar Rivers with the attendant degradation of the ecosystems. This paper examines the danger posed by the spread of the city to these wetlands and proffers solutions that would check the incursion into these pristine natural habitats. The paper also recommends the development of eco-tourism resort as part of the larger Calabar urban landscape architecture. This will add to the tourism potentials of the city as envisaged by Cross River State.

It is estimated that by 2020 half of Nigerians shall live in urban centres. Nigeria has scores of such centres, with many showing the tendency of becoming megacities in a no distant future. One of these cities, Lagos (already a megacity), shall by projection, have a population of 24 million persons by 2020. The other, Abuja, is one of the fastest growing cities on earth. Generally, the world is now known to parade far larger cities than history has ever recorded. Some of these cities are quite magnificent and glorious -London, Paris, Tokyo and New York. On the other hand, Lagos and Mumbai are classic examples of urban failures. What separate the two classes of cities are the approaches to the design of their urban fabrics and management of their ecology. Whereas the former cities have adopted robust sustainability principles in their architecture and urban design/regeneration as well as efficient urban management programmes, the latter appear to be partially or totally non-committal. This paper examines the evolving Nigerian mega cities and their potentials for sustainable survival, with particular reference to Lagos and Abuja, using indices of economic productivity, social equity and environmental concerns. The result shows that the two cities failed these sustainability tests. The cause is traceable to unsustainable architecture being practiced. About half of the total global energy consumption comes from buildings. Eco-design prescriptions of the architect would guarantee urban sustainability. Thus, this paper recommends a national green building code for Nigeria.

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An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of air-borne particulates exuded from gas flare chambers and rainfall/rain water pH in the rusting of metallic building materials, particularly the galvanized iron roofing sheets, in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Gas flaring and rain fall in this region are rated to be amongst the highest in the world. In this experiment, specimens of the metal (galvanized iron) were exposed in the atmosphere for one year, across four sites within the region. The monthly readings of concentrations of particulate matter (aerosol) and rainfall at the sites were recorded. Equally, the average pH values of the collected rainwater were determined and recorded correspondingly. Multiple linear regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical analyses were performed on the obtained data and the outcome indicated that, with an R² = 0.678, there was significant influence of industrial aerosol concentration, precipitation and pH on the degradation of galvanized iron roofing material in the region. It was also established that their individual influences were less than their joint impact, suggesting synergism. The ANOVA test further indicated that corrosion was severe in the industrial sites of Ibeno and Ebocha while Ekuri (the control station) recorded the least impact. This study recommends a discontinuation of gas flaring in the region while research on environmentally resilient, relatively cheap and sustainable alternative materials should be encouraged