Influence of Green Infrastructure on Residents’ Endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm in Lagos, Nigeria

Given the significance of green infrastructure in enhancing social, economic and ecological sustainability of the built environment, it is important to unearth how green infrastructure can influence pro-environmental behaviours among the urban population. This research assessed the influence of green infrastructure on residents’ endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 1560 residents recruited through the multi-stage sampling technique participated in the survey, and the data gathered were subjected to descriptive and regression analyses.  The participants generally felt that the available green infrastructure in their neighbourhoods was of low quality and rapidly disappearing, but it positively influenced all the key variables of the NEP and its endorsement. The size of neighbourhood green spaces, availability of green spaces for relaxation and its proximity to the people were found to be the three attributes of green infrastructure with the most noticeable influence on residents’ endorsement of NEP. This study implies that the availability and accessibility of a reasonable quantity of green areas within urban neighbourhoods can enhance a better understanding of the role of green infrastructure and promote favourable environmental behaviours among the urban population within and outside Nigeria

Project Selection and Transparency Factors in Housing Public-Private Partnerships in Nigeria

The application of Public-Private Partners (PPPs) in housing provisioning is on the increase across the world. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies on the specific factors considered at the initiation, and measures taken to ensure transparency at the procurement stages, of PPP housing projects. This study examined project selection factors and transparency measures in PPP housing projects using data sourced from oral interviews with 27 experts in nine PPP housing schemes in Nigeria. Results of the content analysis revealed that the top two selection factors considered by both the public and private sector operators of PPP housing projects in Nigeria are the availability of land and viability of the funding arrangements. Whereas the public-sector partners also consider the availability of competent private sector to deliver the projects, the private developers are concerned with the location of proposed projects. It was also found that the two key measures taken to ensure transparency at the procurement stage of the projects are transparent and competitive bidding and open advertisements of tender opportunities. These imply that before embarking on PPP housing projects, operators should ensure that there is available land in good locations, sound funding arrangements, and measures for achieving transparency in the schemes

Factors influencing e-Procurement adoption in the Nigerian building industry

Against the backdrop of increasing adoption of e-Procurement in supply chain management, there is a need for adequate knowledge of the factors that influence the decision by organizations in the building industry to use e-Procurement. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap through investigating the factors influencing e-Procurement adoption based on the data sourced in a questionnaire survey involving 213 organizations in the building industry. The survey was conducted between June and November 2015 in Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, factor and categorical regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The results show that the three most important factors influencing the adoption of e-Procurement amongst the participants, in order of importance, were: the benefits of e-Procurement in enhancing efficiency in project delivery; eliminating geographic barriers and effective communication among project team members. The 29 factors were investigated in seven different dimensions - the benefits of e-Procurement use; level of awareness on e-Procurement in construction; and the availability and cost of e-Procurement applications emerged as the three most significant predictors of e-Procurement adoption in the survey. The study concludes by identifying strategies that should be engaged in increasing the uptake and maximizing the benefits of e-Procurement in the Nigerian building industry. 

Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection -Strategies for Developing Nations 2010 EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL APPROACH

Abstract The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical and conceptual framework for the evaluation of impacts of public housing programmes on sustainable development in Nigeria. It seeks to address the challenge of adoption of inappropriate tools in evaluation research on public housing provisioning .The paper argues that for adequate knowledge of the impact of public housing on sustainable development, a broad-based framework that transcends boundaries of many disciples should be engaged in the evaluation process. Therefore the proposed framework draws on a holistic and realistic approach to evaluation based on objectiveoriented theory; theory-driven evaluation paradigm and a number of conceptual issues that allow for the assessment of relationships between input, output, outcomes and impacts, as well as sustainability of benefits of public housing programmes. The distinct features of this framework include: an open-ended evaluation approach; the use of survey tools in capacity and auditing of housing providers, household survey and environmental impact audit in assessing the impact and sustainability of public housing programmes. Keywords: Evaluation, Public Housing Programmes, Impact, Sustainable Development Introduction Housing is the second most essential human need after food. It is an integral part of human settlement that has a profound impact on the quality of life, health, welfare, productivity of man as well as economic development and environmental sustainability. This implies that housing has multiplier effect on the human society and economic development. In spite of this essential nature of housing, a large proportion of the population in most developing countries does not have access to decent housing at affordable cos

Work Stress among Professionals in Building Construction Industry in Nigeria

This study was undertaken to identify key stress factors among professionals in building construction industry in Nigeria. This is in view of the fact that to date, very little is known about work stress among professionals in building construction industry in this country. The study involved the administration of questionnaire to 107 professionals including architects, builders, civil/structural engineers and quantity surveyors randomly selected from 60 ongoing building projects in Anambra, Ogun and Kaduna States, Nigeria. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, and findings show that the principal sources of stress were high volume of work, uncomfortable site office environment, lack of feedback on previous and ongoing building projects, and variations in the scope of work in ongoing building projects. The paper suggests that taking responsibility for work which one has adequate capacity to handle, establishing realistic budgets and time frame for project delivery, provision of spatially adequate, visually and thermally comfortable site offices, adoption of appropriate job design practice and education of professionals on stress management strategies will reduce the incidence of stress among professionals in building industry in Nigeria.