Assessing Smart Technology's Influence on Security and Quality of Life in Management of Residential Estate in Port Harcourt

This study assesses the impact of smart technology on security, convenience, and overall quality of life in residential estates, with a focus on Freedom Residential Estate, located off SARS Road, Elikpokwuodu, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt. Using a survey research design, the study examines residents' perceptions of smart technology's role in enhancing estate security, increasing convenience, and improving satisfaction. A total of 320 stakeholders were selected, including 300 adult residents, 10 property managers, and 10 technology vendors involved in estate management. A purposive sampling technique was employed, resulting in the retrieval of 293 questionnaires, representing a 91.5% response rate. The study employs a quantitative method to analyze the data, utilizing Likert scale ratings to gauge perceptions of smart technology's influence. The study shows a significantly high level of influence; p-value = 0.004 at a 0.05 alpha level, for adopting smart technology towards the quality of life for residents in terms of security, convenience, and overall satisfaction with their living environment of the residential estate management in Port Harcourt. The findings reveal mixed perceptions of its impact on various aspects of estate life. While smart technology is perceived as enhancing convenience and comfort (with a mean of 3.79 and RII of 0.76), its influence on security is more polarized (Mean = 3.13, RII = 0.63). The overall quality of life, however, was rated lower (Mean = 2.62, RII = 0.52), suggesting that the full potential of smart technology has yet to be realized by residents. This study concludes that while the adoption of smart technology shows promising benefits in security, convenience, and satisfaction, challenges such as inadequate implementation, insufficient user engagement, and infrastructure limitations may hinder its full effectiveness. Recommendations for improving smart technology adoption include enhancing stakeholder collaboration, securing adequate funding, ensuring data security, and adopting phased integration to increase resident satisfaction and enhance overall estate management.