Challenges of Sustainable Architecture in Nigeria

The term ‘Green Architecture’ and ‘Sustainable Architecture’ are often used interchangeably.

Green architecture refers to an architecture that is environmentally friendly. Sustainable construction  refers to a structure that is resource-efficient in terms of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Green architecture is environmentally friendly, meaning it encompasses energy use, water use, storm-water, and wastewater re-use.

There is a need for green/sustainable architectural designs, building in ways that reduce harmful impact on the environment. From using renewable energy sources and materials to respecting the local ecosystem, sustainable architecture is always seeking to minimize its ecological footprint.

Developing countries like Nigeria currently struggle to achieve this due to population growth, increased households, and increased urbanization. The construction industry is guilty of many practices because its activities have negatively affected the environment.

The built environment is responsible for 50% of carbon emissions (in developed countries like the UK), and about 40% of global electricity generation is being consumed by buildings and its occupants.

Despite all these glaring challenges, green building developments and sustainable practices are embraced very slowly and practiced at a slow pace in Nigeria’s construction industry. A very good example was the floating school in Makoko designed by Kunle Adeyemi. Initially branded illegal and on the verge of being demolished by the Lagos state government. The design in itself was indeed special employing cheap labour and recycled materials. Although the prototype has since collapsed. This design received a lot of recognition and awards during its stand.

Some of the challenges of green building development are :

1. There is no clear policy framework to give rise to the practice of sustainable building construction in Nigeria. Sustainable architecture is being used all over the world. Some green building practices are becoming mandatory and enforced by regulations in parts of the world.
2. Technology and capacity barriers are one of the main factors that hinder the development of green architecture. There is a major lack of knowledge about green architecture practices, lack of training, and education.
3. Financial constraints, the belief that sustainable buildings are economically not viable as they add to project costs. The fear of higher investment costs for sustainable buildings as compared to conventional buildings and the risks of unforeseen costs as one of the barriers to the utilization and practice of green architecture.
4. The belief that sustainable construction is an academic pursuit and not viable in practice. Clients are ignorant about the long-term advantages of utilizing green architectural practices.
5. Nigeria favors the use of sandcrete blocks and reinforced concrete, which is professionally termed wet construction, and neglects other forms of sustainable construction practiced globally.

The concept of green/sustainable architecture is relatively new in the Nigerian building construction industry and even the world. It has been asserted as a way of achieving environmental sustainability. However, the adoption and utilization of its various principles in a developing country such as Nigeria are still quite low, with various factors identified to be hindering its usage. There are a plethora of challenges that hinder its practice in Nigeria, the factors identified barely scratch the surface. Therefore, these factors need to be seriously addressed in order to promote the adoption and utilization of green architecture.