3D House Printing: A sustainable housing solution for Nigeria’s housing needs

In a country that has between 17 to 20 million housing deficit with an uncontrolled growing population, there is need for innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the rate of homelessness and sub-standard living conditions. The study presented the prospects in the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) as a sustainable housing solution to cater for the housing needs of Nigerians. Nigeria is at the centre of this study due to its population and housing challenges. The study utilized content analysis based on previous studies on 3DP in developed and developing countries. The study identified critical areas that 3DP of houses can solve Nigeria‘s housing needs which are mainly in reducing housing deficit, provide permanent housing solution for IDPs, reduction of construction waste, increased construction safety, achievement of sustainability goals, reduction in construction errors and labour cost

Construction Waste Prevention as a Sustainable tool in Building Mega Cities: A Theoretical Framework

In building of mega cities, the construction industry is contributing to alarming volumes of construction materials waste being generated causing an imbalance in the world’s ecosystem. The study developed a framework for construction waste prevention strategies as a sustainable tool in building mega cities. Using content analysis of various literatures reviewed,the study developed a framework for preventing waste generation in construction projects in mega cities. In the building of present and future mega cities, there is need to submit mandatory construction waste prevention strategies as part of the contract documentation to the client, client representatives and the town planning authorities in order to build liveable and sustainable cities

FACTORS AFFECTING PERSISTENCE OF FRESHMEN: A CASE OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME

Progressing from secondary school to the university can be a difficult transitioning period for most secondary school leavers. The higher institution presents new sets of experiences for first year students. Adapting to the new environment could be so challenging a task for most freshmen as to affect their performance, leading to eventual drop out. This research presents the results of a preliminary study on the persistence of first year students in a Nigerian University. The study adopted Astin’s Model of persistence to provide insight into factors influencing first year students’ persistence. Survey research design was used in the study with the aid of questionnaires distributed to sixty five first year students of building technology in a Nigerian university. Data obtained were analyzed by means of frequencies, cross tabs and categorical regression. The significant factors influencing first year students’ persistence included clinic, cafeteria, library and hostel. Gender and classroom had no significant effect on the persistence of freshmen surveyed. Majority of the students describe their classmates, roommates and teachers as very supportive. In addition, 75% of the students surveyed, prefer to remain in the course till the point of graduation. Universities can experience greater retention of freshmen by improving on the quality of facilities identified in this study particularly, clinic, cafeteria, library and hoste

SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPITAL OF CRAFTSMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry is one of the largest employers of labour with the ability to generate jobs for local people resulting in a multiplier effect on the national and local economy. However, intense competition from migrant craftsmen has reduced the volume of work available to indigenous craftsmen which negatively affects their income. Social capital has been found to provide a good platform for enhancing the human capital of households, thereby improving their financial status. This study assessed the social and financial capital of 50 construction craftsmen in Lagos, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey research design with the use of structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents based on a purposive sampling technique. The study indicated that social capital of the craftsmen surveyed was poor. Majority of the craftsmen did not belong to any crafts association. Lack of trust was found to be the most significant factor discouraging craftsmen from joining crafts association. From the study, the average daily wage of the craftsmen was between $6 and$15 while average savings was between $150 and$300. Leaders of crafts associations should be selfless, empathic and transparent. This will encourage more craftsmen to join crafts associations so as to benefit from skills development and more job opportunities

Remodularising Technical Institutions TowardsOWARDS Quality Manpower Delivery In Construction SectorR In Nigeria

Remodularising technical institution in Nigeria is an inevitable task, this is necessary in the view of the fact that training and skill acquisition in term of strategy and procedure is a key factor to producing high skill labour in construction sector. The phenomenon of unavailability of highly skilled labour, however, is gradually taken its toll on construction products delivery in Nigerian construction sector. This is evident in poor work output being discovered in sites. The unavailability of highly skilled artisans has affected the quality of work delivery and workmanship which calls to question the robustness of their skill training modules. This has led to artisans and skill labor performing below expectation in their job delivery particularly in jobs outside their area of specialization which is unhealthy for the progress of the sector. The study therefore presents strategies and procedure to mitigate this trend in order to enhance quality of work delivery. One hundred and fifty (100) questionnaires were administered on selected technical-based training institution in Lagos State (Nigeria) to examine their training modules and framework. Some of the reasons adduced as responsible for this trend includes: poor apprenticeship program modules, poor recruitment strategy, poor motivation, non-participation of employers in recruitment and personnel selection, government policy among others. It was discovered that in order to mitigate the menace, strategy to be applied includes; adequate funding, education policy reform, value re-orientation and good incentive scheme among others. Implementing the suggested strategy is considered a panacea to solving the skill shortage problem in Nigerian construction sector

HUMAN AND PHYSICAL CAPITAL OF CRAFTSMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Construction craftsmen are one of the most vulnerable groups of workers. Hazardous working environment, temporal nature of work and poor wages characterize construction work. The study assessed the livelihood pattern of craftsmen with a view to improving their socioeconomic conditions. The study adopted a descriptive case study research design. Human and physical capitals of craftsmen were assessed. The most common livelihood activity of the craftsmen surveyed was bricklaying. The livelihood outcome of the craftsmen can be described as fair since they were able to meet their basic needs; however, the craftsmen desire to have a more steady flow of income and a better neighbourhood to live in

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DRIVERS OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN MEGACITIES

The exponential growth in the world population, coupled with the high ruralurban migration is leading to the graduation of ordinary cities to Megacities. With the status of mega-cities comes their special need in terms of housing and other urban development infrastructures. The study aimed to carry out a quantitative analysis of socio-economic drivers of housing and urban development projects in Megacities. The research design used a cross-sectional survey through a questionnaire instrument.Out of two hundred (200) questionnaires distributed to policy makers and construction professionals employed in government agencies, a total of one hundred and fifty seven (157) questionnaires were retrieved. Using Statistical tools of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Categorical Regression the Housing and Urban Development project crucial for the sustenance of Megacities were grouped while the socio-economic drivers that engender investment towards housing and urban development projects were identified. It is important that population growth in megacities are properly controlled as to forestall pressure on available infrastructures. Politics and the supply of necessary housing and urban development projects should not mix, as they are separate entities. In project financing, government should intensify adequate taxation policies to effectively fund different classes of housing and urban development projects in megacities

IMPROVING MARKETING FUNCTIONS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AMONG CONSTRUCTION SMEs

With over 3.5 billion people connected to the internet, small and medium-scale (SME) construction businesses have the opportunity to enhance their customer base. The study assessed ways by which marketing functions of SME construction businesses can be improved through social media presence of the firms. The study used a quota-purposive sampling of construction businesses in Nigeria’s mega city, Lagos State. The small and medium scale construction businesses comprised of consulting and contracting firms. Using a questionnaire instrument, the social media arm of the marketing unit of SME construction businesses was measured. Presentation of the data was carried out using pie charts and principal component analysis. The study identified two main critical success factors (CSFs) – Firm/Social Media characteristics and Security/Investment factor enabling the Social Media infrastructure for SME construction businesses. A focus on these entities would ensure the successful integration of social media marketing strategies in the traditional marketing functions of construction SMEs. The survival of SME construction business is hinged on the availability of customers which social media exposure helps attract and interact with potential customers. SME Construction businesses of the 21st century must align with the ‘global village’ trend of incorporating social media applications in their traditional marketing functions

Learning Adequacy of Nigerian Tertiary Educational System for Sustainable Built Environmental Course

Learning is highly pivotal in every areas of life, it could be formal, informal or non-formal. Irrespective of the form of learning, it has turned out to be a veritable medium in human training. This study will concentrate on the adequacy of learning in a formal environment. The study examined some indicators that can limit learning of building course in some selected tertiary institutions which include the lecturer capacity, lecturing method and learning facilities indicators. The study adopt survey method with the aid of structured questionnaire to elicit information from the respondents on the adequacy of learning in their institutions. Findings revealed some gaps across the selected institutions learning adequacy and to address the gap, it is recommended that there should be collaboration among the institutions as to strengthen each other weakness and to encourage industries role in education funding

Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for construction activities within planetary boundaries: Limitations of developing countries

Continued unsustainable human activities have ushered in a new climate regime where storms have become more intense, droughts periods are now longer, floods are incessant and the occurrence of wild fires more frequent. Mitigating the effects of climate change is crucial for minimizing the occurrence of hazards associated with climate change. Adapting to this new climate era is important for the continued existence of life on planet earth. This paper presents a review of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies with specific focus on the construction industry. It discusses the following climate mitigation and adaptation strategies: use of green energy, use of sustainable building materials, construction of high rise buildings and living building elements, use of innovative designs and construction methods and recycling of urban waste. The paper also argues that developing countries are most vulnerable to climate change effects but certain factors limit them from mitigating and adapting to climate change