The Effect of the Environment on Building Finishing Materials in Lagos Island Residential District

The environment has influence on the condition of finishing materials used in buildings over time, in terms of the building deterioration and aesthetics. This environmental influence can be climatic changes or human factor effects. Lagos Island is located at the coastal region of Nigeria, characterised by heavy rainfall, coastal sea breeze laden with high salt content, high temperature and humidity. What effects do these climatic conditions have on the finishing materials used in buildings located within Lagos Island residential districts? This study evaluates the present conditions of the building finishing materials used in Lagos Island residential district, with a view to know how the climatic changes and human factors have influence the finishing materials. Survey method was used, with structured questioners administered to 177 respondents randomly selected in the area. Observation schedule and photographic materials were also used. Data was analysed statistically. The result shows that 83.4% of the building have not been renovated in the last 10 years and many of the buildings finishing’s were in deteriorating state, with low maintenance. The wall finishes have been affected by the climatic condition of the areas. The effect of the human factor was seen in the conversion of 65% of the buildings to mixed-used for both commercial activity and residential, which have affected the finishing materials used in the buildings. Recommendations were proffered, such as the repairs and renovations of the buildings. This is to assure the structural integrity and improve the aesthetics of the buildings

Assessment of Residential Satisfaction for Sustainability in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) Housing Estates in Lagos State, Nigeria

Approaches towards public housing has been noted as Government-sponsored over time, the government have been accorded the responsibility of provision of safe, secure, sanitary, accessible and affordable housing for its citizens, both for low, medium and high incomes. Also in the fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 11; which seeks to make towns, cities and settlements an inclusive habitation that is safe, resilient and sustainable for all categories of people by the year 2030. However, due to various limiting factors, the government have run short of meeting this expectation and in order to bridge this gap, it has brought about the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) schemes to meeting mass housing provision. However, the success of Public-Private Partnership is dependent on certain socio-economic variations. This study assessed the residential satisfaction amongst residents of selected two public-private partnership housing estates in Lagos State, Nigeria. With a view to understanding the performance of the estates in meeting residents housing needs. This is done by identify the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of residents, examining the physical characteristics of housing units in the PPP housing estates and identifying the factors that influence occupants’ satisfaction with the PPP housing estates.The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and categorical regression analysis. The result showed that the housing situations are generally satisfactory to the residents. The residents were mostly satisfied with their housing unit features, followed by their neighborhood environment and least satisfied with the maintenance practices. The study revealed that the residents socio-economic characteristic and demographic is the most significantly predictor to the residents level of satisfaction. The study concluded that satisfaction derived by residents of the PPP housing estates studied can be improved by provision of better housing maintenance practices and effective infrastructures and services. Key words: Residential Satisfaction, Sustainable development, Public-Private Partnerships, Housing Estates, Lagos State

Evaluation of Sustainable Urban Renewal Strategies in an evolving Residential District of Lagos Island, Nigeria

Population growth and Urbanization are part of the attributes of a developing city. These attributes impact on the environment and the living condition of its inhabitants. The need to have a mechanism for sustainable development of cities is of necessity. One of such mechanism is the creation of a smart city. This development plan is an agenda for cities such as Lagos State, Nigeria. A study was done on some selected existing buildings found in the residential district areas of Lagos Island with the aim to identifying the housing and planning characteristics found in these residential areas to aid smart city implementation. The history of the buildings and factors that have influenced the change in housing types was studied; how these can influence and affect any agenda of smart city implementation or reform was explored. Survey methodology was used in carrying out the research with the use of questionnaire administered to residents; observation and photographic materials were also used as research instrument. Statistical methods using frequency and percentages were used to analyze the data collected. The result showed that a large percentage of the buildings investigated, had not been renovated in the last ten (10) years and are mixed used buildings. It was observed that the present state of housing in Lagos Island has been greatly influenced by increasing commercial activities in the area. Also, the result showed that the purpose and types of housing found in this area had evolved over time, a once resting place for a man and his family is now a place of several functions. Sustainable urban renewal and planning were suggested to enable the implementation of a smart city

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA: CURRENT AND EMERGING ISSUES

Current and emerging issues in Architecture have continued to raise concerns on how to achieve sustainable development in architectural practice. This paper examines some of these issues and their implication for sustainable development. The paper observes that architectural practices can be classified as bearable, equitable, sustainable and viable depending on the level of compliance to the three pillars of the economic, social and environmental aspects sustainable development. Among some of the current issues identified as having a direct bearing on sustainable architectural practice are the current professional fees regime; professional negligence by architects and training of architecture students. The paper also discusses the emerging issues that are relevant in ensuring a sustainable practice as the involvement of architects in post occupancy evaluation, embracing the use of information and communication technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and electronic procurement. The paper concludes by identifying practical steps that need to be taken by the relevant stakeholders to arouse awareness on these issues that constitute serious threats to the survival of the profession and sustainability of architectural practice in Nigeria

Sustainable Urban Renewal in a World of Smart City Agenda in Natural Commercially Evolving Area: The Case of Lagos Island Residential Districts, Lagos State, Nigeria.

A study was done on the existing buildings found in the residential district areas of Lagos Island with the aim to identifying the housing and planning characteristics found in these residential areas. The history of the buildings and factors that have influenced the change in housing types was studied; how these can influence and affect any agenda of smart city implementation or reform was explored. Survey methodology was used in carrying out the research with the use of questionnaire administered to residents, observation and photographic materials as research instrument. Statistical methods were used to analyze the data collected. The result showed that a large percentage of the building investigated in the residential district has not been renovated in the last ten (10) years and are mixed used building. In spite of the need for repairs, these buildings are still being inhabited. It was observed that the present state of housing in Lagos Island has been greatly influenced by increasing commercial activities in the area. Also, the result showed that the purpose and types of housing found in this area had evolved over time, a once resting place for a man and his family is now a place of several functions. Sustainable urban renewal and planning were suggested

SKILLS SET DETERMINANTS OF IND-CADETS WORKFORCE IN HIGHTECH CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN LAGOS NIGERIA

It is common practice in High Technology Construction Companies in Nigeria to seek out the best practice procedures for their organizational abilities and competencies. As a result, they hire fresh graduates on a yearly basis in order to fill the dynamic vacuum that technology opens from time to time. The Universities are the training fields for these young minds and on a regular basis update their curriculum towards competing in the ever changing global market of opportunities and competition. Work and employability are often mixed use concepts because training is different from being employable. This paper investigated the characteristics of the Ind-CADETS (Industry Cadets) workforce of students of construction related disciplines of Covenant University and some selected high technology construction companies in Lagos Nigeria. This was done to get feedback from these construction companies on the types of skill set they require from fresh graduates from the universities towards making the graduates better suited for their work experiences after graduation. This was done by administering a well-structured questionnaire and interviews for proper conclusion on the subject matter from a cross section of students from final year in Architecture, Building, and Estate Management of the 2016-2017 academic year and also from some selected high technology construction companies in Lagos. The data collected was statistically analysed with SPSS software and it showed that there was a gap in communication between the construction companies and the Universities on the types of skills set required for making the graduates fit effectively into the working environment. Software incompatibility and personality traits were seen as hindrances towards achieving this synergy. It was further discovered that University curriculum were missing the goal of achieving basic educational foundations for industry compatibility and employability

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING IN MASS HOUSING SCHEMES: STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING INCLUSIVE AND SAFE URBAN COMMUNITIES

The layout of plots, arrangement of buildings and management of spaces between buildings in residential neighbourhoods are vital components of the planning and designing of housing schemes. Consequently, there is a growing body of knowledge on how the planning and design of neighbourhood and housing units can promote neighbourhood security. In spite of this, there is insufficient empirical evidence to show how the planning of neighbourhoods, design of dwelling units, arrangement of buildings and treatment of spaces between them contribute to security of lives and property in mass housing schemes. This is particularly so for a developing country like Nigeria that is facing all kinds of security challenges within her urban neighbourhoods. Therefore, this Chapter seeks to present and discuss findings of a research conducted to examine the influence of residential neighbourhood planning and design of housing units on the security of lives and property in 12 selected public mass housing estates developed by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. The data were derived from household survey involving 1036 residents in different LSDPC housing estates in Lagos Metropolis. Copies of questionnaire and observation schedule were used as data gathering instruments. The results of the descriptive statistics and content analysis of the data reveal the predominant layout patterns of the estates, design and construction features of the housing units, spaces, and how these have influenced residents’ perception of security of lives and property in the residential estates. The result also identifies aspects of neighbourhood planning and design that have the most significant influence on security of lives and property in mass housing schemes in the study area. Areas that need to be strengthened by housing experts, developers, urban designers and managers are highlighted. This is to ensure that mass housing schemes in rapidly growing towns and cities are secure for residents, thereby contributing to the attainment of goal 11 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Nigeria

IMPACT OF VISUAL ART TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO: STUDENT EXPERIENCE OF LOWER AND UPPER CLASSES

Art history has spanned back to the cave painting age when man had conceived the ability to create imagination, concepts and ideas which are put on mediums. This is termed virtual art. Over the times, the visualization of art had evolved from the traditional art to contemporary art. Virtual art comprises of painting, drawing, sculpture, design, photography, film making, literature, crafts, ceramics and architecture and there has been a direct link between virtual art and architecture, especially in the acquisition of these skills. Training in virtual art has originally been through apprenticeship just as architecture training has originally been by mentorship, both are now been taught at tertiary institutions. Virtual art is being taken as a course or an elective in schools of architecture in Nigeria. This study takes the case study of 100 and 200 level students of Covenant University, Nigeria. It is assumed that the knowledge acquired in virtual art would help students in architectural design. However, how has this translated to students’ scores in design and design output? Also, the study investigates how well the students have been impacted with virtual art knowledge to help them in design. Data for this study is by primary and secondary data. This is done by examining the impact of virtual art as a course on student results in architectural design. This is done by examining students at lower class of 100 levels and the same set of students’ results in 200 levels in design and in virtual art. Questionnaire was administered to students and the results of scores of the student are considered in the study. Finding shows that the skills acquired in virtual art and the knowledge has helped the student in drafting, creativity, which had brought out original design forms. The similarities between virtual art and architecture in terms of background, training and presentation should be explored by schools of architecture to produced better architects

Residents’ Satisfaction with Security in Public Housing in Lagos, Nigeria: The Gender Perspective

Public housing is a form of housing delivery that depends on the use of public resources. However, the nature of such housing schemes, in terms of design, planning and locations could create security challenges within and around the neighbourhoods where they are located. In such a situation,women are presumed to be more vulnerable to security challenges than their men counterparts. Therefore, the key research question this study sought to address was: How does the satisfaction with the level of security within public housing environment vary amongst female and male residents? To address this question, a questionnaire survey of residents of 1036 residents in 14 mass housing estates developed in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) was conducted. The data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and ANOVA, and it was that more female than male residents expressed satisfaction with general security of lives and property in the housing estates. It was also observed that a higher percentage of the male than the female residents were satisfied with security at most of locations within the housing estates. Although the highest proportions of the male and female respondents were satisfied with security within their apartments, the least proportion of the male and female respondents were satisfied with security at refuse dump sites and drinking spots, respectively. Difference in satisfaction with security at drinking spots between the male and female residents was found to be statically significant. This study implies that the sense of security among the male and female population in the same home environment varies, and thus there is a need for public housing developers to understand areas to strengthen to improve the sense of security of both male and female residents

The influence of location, planning and design features on residents’ satisfaction with security in public housing estates in Lagos, Nigeria

Location, planning and design of the built environment are known to have influence on the security of lives and property in residential neighbourhoods. However, there is a limited understanding of the extent to which these aspects contribute to security in public housing environments in a developing country like Nigeria. This study investigated the influence of locational, planning and design features on residents’ perception of security in public housing estates in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. The data used were derived from a questionnaire survey of 1036 residents in 12 Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) housing estates in the study area. Results of the descriptive statistics, factor and regression analyses revealed that the residents were generally satisfied with security of lives and property in the housing estates. Provisions for communal living, layouts of the estates and passive security measures and location of the estates close to neighbourhood facilities and in crime prone areas of the city contributed most to residents’ perception of security in the estates. This study implies that to enhance security in public housing environments, priority should be given to location, planning and design strategies that promote communal living and residents’ participation in the security of their homes