Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Agge Cruise Terminal, Ekeremo L.G.A., Bayelsa State: Architecture as A Stimulus for Area Development

Doutimiye Dengiyefa Samuel, Prof. Imaah Napoleon

Abstract

This study examines the architectural design of the Agge Cruise Terminal as a strategic intervention to stimulate area development within Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Positioned within the burgeoning blue economy framework, the research explores how sustainable, contextually responsive architecture can catalyze economic growth, environmental resilience, and cultural empowerment in the Niger Delta region. Despite Nigeria's extensive 853-kilometre coastline and rich cultural heritage, the country's cruise tourism infrastructure remains significantly underdeveloped, with an absence of purpose-built terminals perpetuating missed economic opportunities and over-reliance on petroleum revenues. Employing a qualitative design-based research methodology, the study synthesizes a comprehensive literature review, empirical analysis of four international cruise terminal precedents—Qingdao , San Francisco Pier 27 , Leixões (Portugal), and Kai Tak (Hong Kong)—alongside in-depth site-specific climatic and cultural assessments of the Agge area. The design proposal integrates passive climate adaptation strategies, vernacular Ijaw architectural motifs, and advanced operational functionality, demonstrating architecture's capacity to bridge global tourism demands with local socio-environmental realities. Key findings establish that culturally embedded, sustainable architectural solutions can effectively stimulate diversified land use, community engagement, and ecological stewardship, thereby supporting broader regional regeneration objectives. The study contributes to academic discourse on catalytic architecture in developing coastal contexts and provides practical guidelines for policymakers, planners, and architects involved in sustainable maritime infrastructure development in the Niger Delta and comparable West African regions.

Keywords

Cruise TerminalCatalytic ArchitectureNiger DeltaBlue EconomySustainable DesignArea DevelopmentBayelsa State

References

Abboud Armaly, O. (2024). Visualising voices: Exploring the use of architectural visualisation to present complex qualitative findings. The Qualitative Report, 29(3), 671–686. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.5989 Academic Excellence Society. (2020). Stilt architecture among Izon fishermen. International Journal of Research in Arts & Social Sciences, 8(2), 118–129. Academia. (2017). Catalytic architecture in developing contexts [Working paper]. Academia.edu. Adangor, Z. (2018). The Ijaws of the Niger Delta region and political agitations in Nigeria: Past and present. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(3), 361– 376. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.53.4304 African Scholar Publications. (2021). Urban renewal as a strategy for revitalising Nigerian cities. African Journal of Built Environment Geography and Research, 4(2), 18–34. Agoro, T. O., Ofunama, P., & Oguntade, S. T. (2025). Artisanal fishing in coastal communities: Socioeconomic profiling and fishing practices in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area , Bayelsa State. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 10(5), 4503–4508. Al Jazeera. (2022, June 1). In oil-rich Niger Delta, coastal erosion frustrates locals. Al Jazeera. Badoni, R. (2025, June 1). Global cruise market report 2025–2034: Trends, growth drivers. LinkedIn. Brisibe, W. G. (2016). Base camp architecture. SAGE Open, 6(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016636942 Brookings Institution. (2016, July 28). Community-driven development in the Niger Delta: Reactions on the ground. Brookings. BusinessDay. (2025, February 3). New $3 billion deep-sea port project takes shape in Bayelsa State. BusinessDay. Cenresin Journals. (2020). A theme approach towards a sustainable waterfront [PDF]. Cenresin Journals. City Population. (2022, March 20). Ekeremor (Local Government Area, Nigeria). City Population. Cruise Lines International Association . (2024). State of the cruise industry report 2024 [PDF]. CLIA. Dambo, K. F. (2023). Ikot–Ndaw Island Resort, Odukpani LGA, Cross River State — Achieving sustainability through organic architecture [Master's thesis, Rivers State University]. ePrints Soton. (2012). Waterfront regeneration: Experiences from Europe and North America. Southampton Research Repository. European Commission. (2023). Good practices for sustainable cruise tourism [PDF]. European Commission Blue Economy Observatory. Expedia Franchise. (2024, April 6). 2024 cruise industry update. Expedia Franchise. Foster + Partners. (2012). Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Foster + Partners Projects. Guardian Nigeria. (2025, March 22). Developers leverage eco-friendly designs for waterfront projects. The Guardian Nigeria. IDEAS RePEc. (2018). Waterfront regeneration in the Niger Delta and its impact on development [Working paper]. IDEAS RePEc. Interreg Baltic. (2021). Sustainable energetic solutions for cruise terminal buildings [PDF]. Interreg Baltic Sea Region. Journal of Human Ecology. (2012). Regeneration in the Nigerian urban built environment. Journal of Human Ecology, 29(2), 141–152. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. (2015). Architecture & design. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. IJEMT MAP Architects. (2013, March 9). Port Harcourt, Nigeria, first prize. MAP Architects. Moughtin, C. (2018). Urban design: Street and square (3rd ed.). Routledge. Nomad Season. (2025, April 16). Bayelsa climate. Nomad Season. Ogolo, E. L., Ugben, O. G. E., & Wilcox, G. T. (2024). Conflict and community development in Nigeria: A study of rural communities in the Niger Delta area. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14207491 Osasona, C. O. (2012). Vernacular architecture in Nigeria: Experiences from the Niger Delta. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 155, 141–152. Owate, I. O., & Tamuno, S. O. (2021). Environmental planning in the Niger Delta. Journal of Environmental Science and Planning, 3(1), 14–26. Oxford Economics. (2024, April 3). Global cruise trends report: March 2024. Oxford Economics. Population Association of America. (2012). Tourism development in Nigeria: Prospects and challenges. PAA Conference Paper. Port Economics Management. (2025). Cruise terminal design and operations [Online resource]. Port Economics Management. Punch Nigeria. (2025). The Federal Government announces the Agge Deep Seaport project. Punch Nigeria. Santos, J. (2024). Design-based research in architectural education. EdTech Books. Tourism Management Sciences. (2013). Port-city relationships in contemporary cruise development. Tourism Management Sciences, 12(4), 220–235. Vanguard Nigeria. (2025). Bayelsa is pioneering the blue economy in Nigeria. Vanguard Nigeria. Wikipedia. (2025). Ekeremor Local Government Area. Wikipedia.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY