Evaluation of the barriers that affect effective implementation of sustainable construction for residential buildings in Nigeria: the perspectives of construction professionals in Abja-Nigeria

Abstract

This research investigated the barriers that affect an effective implementation of sustainable construction for residential buildings in Abuja, Nigeria. An in-depth literature review on sustainability and sustainable development, sustainable construction, sustainable residential buildings (SRB), drivers of SRB, barriers of SRB and sustainable construction in residential buildings in Nigeria were examined, and over nineteen barriers of SRB were found.
Quantitative research approach was used to achieve the research aim and objectives. Proportional stratified random sampling was used to collect data from 47 construction professionals. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of five parts, and analysed using SPSS software. The result obtained was presented using descriptive analysis. Furthermore, cross tabulation of some key variables were presented in the result. Equally importantly, identifying the major barriers that hindered the construction professionals from incorporating sustainable residential buildings, mean scores of variables were determined and the variables were ranked according to the mean score value.
The study findings indicate that, the majority of the construction professionals have a moderate level of knowledge about the concept of sustainable construction. However, lack of government serious commitment towards sustainable buildings, building owners concerned about financial benefits, lack of awareness about the benefits/important of sustainable construction, lack of practical understanding among building owners about energy efficiency in sustainable building, and lack of incentives to change building culture were found as the major barriers that affect effective implementation of sustainable construction for residential buildings in Abuja-Nigeria. In addition, actions towards transforming the traditional building culture were drawn from the responses’ suggestions that, the government needs to enforce strict rules and regulations, and indeed, encourage residential builders/developers through some incentives programs in order for sustainable construction to be adopted within the construction sector.