Performance of Probability Distributions and Plotting Positions in Estimating the Flood of River Osun at Apoje Sub-basin, Nigeria

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Performance of Probability Distributions and Plotting Positions in Estimating the Flood of River Osun at Apoje Sub-basin, Nigeria. Manuscript LW 07 007. Vol. IX. July, 2007

Achieving healthy environmental sustainability in Ota housing core

Many challenges of Nigerian urban built environment for over three decades have centered on poor state of infrastructure and services. The numerous effects of rapid urbanization process on housing environment have been identified in Ota - a nodal town that currently accommodates many unwarranted environmental conditions of which environmental degradation and infrastructural decay are obvious manifestation. The environmental audits and surveys carried out in Ota reveals lots of evidences of poor living condition especially among the residents of the old residential enclave of the town. Apparently many reviewed urban revitalization literatures are perceived to have played an important role in the policy towards sustainable development of cities. The study achieves this through a copious review of literature in urban renewal programmes which helps in drawing out many effective urban renewal strategies for Nigerian cities. The study concludes that any development Programme in Ota town should involve Communities participation (also called bottom-up approach). In other words the idea of recognizing contributions by various actors enhances participatory development

Assessing the Implementation Structure for Public-Private Partnerships in Urban Housing in Nigeria

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are gaining recognition as alternative procurement strategy to government-provider approach in mass housing in many countries, including Nigeria. However, there are few studies exploring their implementation structures, especially in the developing countries. This study examined the implementation structure of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in housing in Nigeria using Ogun State as a case study. Qualitative research approach was used and data were derived from oral interviews with key industry stakeholders. It was observed that the implementation structure of PPPs in housing in the study area was a combination of the New National Housing and Urban Development Policy, government agencies and corporate private sector organizations, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, commercial banks, building regulations and bye-laws as well as PPP agreements. This structure influenced the assignment of roles and risks amongst the partners in housing projects; and was found to be deficient in low-cost housing. The paper explored the policy and practice implication of this development and argued for the improvement of social content of PPPs in urban housing delivery in Nigeria. Keywords: public-private-partnership , urban area, public housing, joint venture, Ogun State

Similarities And Differences In Residents' Perception OF Housing Adequacy And Residential Satisfaction

Housing adequacy and residential satisfaction are two concepts used to evaluate the extent to which housing schemes meet residents’ needs and expectations. However, the differences and similarities in the way residents understand these concepts have not been properly articulated in the research literature. This study therefore investigated the differences and similarities in residents’ perception of housing adequacy and residential satisfaction with a view to identifying the dimensions of housing adequacy and residential satisfaction evaluation; and the factors that influenced this. The data were derived from a questionnaire survey of 517 residents in public housing in Ogun State, Nigeria; and analyzed using descriptive statistical, factor and categorical regression analyses. The result shows that whereas the residents evaluated housing adequacy based on four key dimensions: ambient condition of interior spaces; security, utilities and neighbourhood facilities; social infrastructure and sizes of main activity areas, residential satisfaction was evaluated based on three dimensions: the physical, social and economic environment of the housing estates; size, type, location, appearance; privacy and security of the residences. Residential satisfaction, tenure and income emerged as the three strongest predictors of housing adequacy, while housing adequacy, employment status and sex of the respondents were the three strongest predictors of residential satisfaction. Age of the respondents was found to be the only predictor of both housing adequacy and residential satisfaction. The key implication of the study is that, in housing research, each of these two concepts can serve as a surrogate for each other. It also implies that to improve the living conditions of residents of public housing, housing policy makers and developers should pay sufficient attention to the needs of all categories of residents by making sure that the housing preferences of workers in the different sectors and age groups are properly incorporated into future housing projects

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF HOUSING ADEQUACY AND RESIDENTIAL SATISFACTION

Housing adequacy and residential satisfaction are two concepts used to evaluate the extent to which housing schemes meet residents’ needs and expectations. However, the differences and similarities in the way residents understand these concepts have not been properly articulated in the research literature. This study therefore investigated the differences and similarities in residents’ perception of housing adequacy and residential satisfaction with a view to identifying the dimensions of housing adequacy and residential satisfaction evaluation; and the factors that influenced this. The data were derived from a questionnaire survey of 517 residents in public housing in Ogun State, Nigeria; and analyzed using descriptive statistical, factor and categorical regression analyses. The result shows that whereas the residents evaluated housing adequacy based on four key dimensions: ambient condition of interior spaces; security, utilities and neighbourhood facilities; social infrastructure and sizes of main activity areas, residential satisfaction was evaluated based on three dimensions: the physical, social and economic environment of the housing estates; size, type, location, appearance; privacy and security of the residences. Residential satisfaction, tenure and income emerged as the three strongest predictors of housing adequacy, while housing adequacy, employment status and sex of the respondents were the three strongest predictors of residential satisfaction. Age of the respondents was found to be the only predictor of both housing adequacy and residential satisfaction. The key implication of the study is that, in housing research, each of these two concepts can serve as a surrogate for each other. It also implies that to improve the living conditions of residents of public housing, housing policy makers and developers should pay sufficient attention to the needs of all categories of residents by making sure that the housing preferences of workers in the different sectors and age groups are properly incorporated into future housing projects

Performance evaluation of residential buildings in public housing estates in Ogun State, Nigeria:Users’ satisfaction perspective

Thi s study assessed the performance of residential buildings in public housing estates in urban areas of Ogun State Southwest Nigeria.It was based on the notion that users’satisfaction with dwelling units is need sand expectations.Acrosssectionalsurveyof452householdheadsinninepublichousingestateswas conducted in the study area.Data were obtained using structured questionnaire and observation schedule;and were subjected to descriptive statistics and factor analysis. A mean satisfaction scoreof3.21wasobserved;indicatingthattherespondentsweregenerallysatisfiedwiththe performance of the different components of the buildings.Satisfaction levels were generally higher with privacy and sizes of living and sleeping are as than the availability of water and electricityinthebuildings.The type,location and aesthetic appearance as well as size of main activity are as were the most predominant factors that determined satisfaction and indeed the performance of the buildings i nmeeting users’needs and expectations.The paper highlights criticalareaswhereattentionisneededinordertoimprovetheperformanceofresidential buildingsandusers’satisfactionwithpublichousingprojectsin Nigeria

Maintenance Challenges of Multi-Owner Multi-Storey Residential Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria

It is noted that in Nigeria, buildings begin to demand for maintenance almost immediately after completion and handing over to users. As a single building belongs to several owners, corporate decision is required in maintaining it. The process of arriving at a workable decision remains a problem in the maintenance of such buildings due to protracted consultation and individual differences. This paper analytically investigates the frequency of maintenance of multi storey buildings compared with single owned building within the area Lagos, Nigeria. This paper examines these processes, the challenges and possible resolution for meeting point of ideas in order to sustain the commonwealth without jeopardizing the interest of any through a field survey. Structured questionnaire and non-participant case study were adopted in collecting quantitative and qualitative data. This study adopted quantitative analysis in form of tables to evaluate the attitude of respondents towards the maintenance of external surface of buildings vis-à-vis painting in the area. Three hundred and eighty four structured questionnaires were administered in six randomly selected Local Government Areas within the study area in April-May, 2012. The findings show that buildings that belong to single owners are better maintained than buildings that belong to multi-owners due to sense of ownership and ability to take decision on maintenance issues swiftly. Multi ownership system requires some level of enlightenment and thorough education in the area. The primary culture of the people in the selected area supports the compound system which multi ownership denies

Designing to meet Human Needs: Place of Environment-Behaviour Studies in Architectural Education

The role of architecture is to create spaces that meet the needs of users. Architecture of buildings is influenced by many factors such as behavioural, socio-cultural and physical which affect the design, meaning and use of space to different individuals and group of people. In view of this, some courses that deal with man-environment behaviour studies were incorporated into the curriculum of architecture schools, but it has been observed that the guiding principles of the curriculum formulation and implementation of these courses are yet to establish institutional ideology; to enforce the context relevance, and implementation in the instructional plans so that architects under tutelage can create environments that will respond to the need of users. Using secondary data from literature and curricula of four architectural schools in South-west Nigeria, this paper examines how adequately students are sensitize on the relationship between man and environment as an important way of meeting his needs. It was discovered that aspects of Environment-Behaviour studies were rarely incorporated into the curricula of the schools investigated. This paper recommended that curriculum review be done parametrically in favour of EBR pedagogic dynamics

A RATIONAL APPROACH TO THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN SLUMS IN LAGOS STATE

Housing like food and clothing is one of the basic necessities of life. The need for shelter by every individual cannot be overemphasized. The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century led to explosion in human population and the need to accommodate them in decent housing became a challenge. The population explosion became more evident in urban centers of the underdeveloped world. Lagos State being the former national capital and the commercial nerve center of the nation, like every other urban center, has a concentration of wealth, prestige, political power, and growing manufacturing sectors. It offers vast majority of employment opportunities, opportunity to connect with the rich and powerful, and the excitement of night life that was non-existent in most rural areas made the city attractive, thus resulting in uncontrolled rural-urban migration. Lagos State is undoubtedly the most notorious example of urban growth in Nigeria with an annual growth rate of fourteen percent. The first dilemma of an urban migrant in Lagos is the question of an adequate house. With little resources, financial or otherwise, the drastic option of illegally occupying a vacant piece of land to build a rudimentary shelter is the only one available to them. This is the genesis of the development of squatter settlements and slums which has been seen as a social evil that has to be eradicated. This reaction towards slums has not helped the more basic question of adequate housing for all. This paper addressed the adverse effects of the unprecedented population growth and consequent increase in urbanization of Lagos State on the inhabitants. The poor socio-economic state of the nation as well as its various housing implications was examined. The paper concludes that the government effort to stop slum development will be to no avail unless they accept that squatter settlements and slums have become inevitable phenomenon in urban areas which has no quick fix solution. However, it could be nipped in the bud using the following recommended approaches: slum upgrade option, sites-and-services scheme and embracing raw earth building technology

Expert System-Based Predictive Cost Model for Building Works: Neural Network Approach

Project managers need accurate estimate of building projects to be able to choose appropriate alternatives for their constructions. Estimated costs of building projects, which hitherto have been based on regression models, are usually left with gaps for high margin of errors and as well, they lack the capacity to accommodate certain intervening variables as construction works progress. Data of past construction projects of the past 2 years were adjusted and used for the study. This model is developed and tested as a predictive cost model for building projects based on Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) with Levenberg Marqua. This model is capable of helping professionals save time, make more realistic decisions, and help avoid underestimating and overestimating of project costs. The model is a step ahead of Regression models