Architectural design response to population issue in sub-Saharan cities

Overpopulation is a serious global problem, and it is predicted to get worse in future if unchecked; accompanied with threat of dwindling resources. The increase in population and its effect on the housing sector is surfacing as clog in the wheel of efforts at reducing Africa’s housing deficits. How then can urban life continue to thrive in the existing housing issues in colonial, sub-Saharan city of Enugu, exploiting architectural design strategies is what the study investigates. It utilized a qualitative research approach of survey and participant observation in which data were collected and analysed based on thematic content analysis. Gross housing deficit, increased housing rent, emergence and expansion of squatter settlement, Land use conversion and slum conditions are some observable effects of population growth due to urbanization and rural-urban drift in the city; Statistics of public housing provision between 1999-2020, showed an over focus on high-income earners, neglecting the majority low-income population. Therefore, architect’s intervention in the housing sector should be strategic, holistic and proactive and encourage use of local materials, vertical development, dry construction and stakeholder’s participation in delivery process. The study concludes that futuristic architecture holds the key to humanity’s continued stewardship on earth and a sustainable housing delivery

Effect of Simulation on Students’ Achievement in Senior Secondary School Chemistry in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria.

The study investigated the effect of simulation on students’ achievement in senior secondary school chemistry in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The design of the study was quasi-experimental with specifically the pre-test and post-test. The sample of the study consisted of 159 senior secondary school I students (80 males and 79 females) randomly selected from two schools out of the secondary schools in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The experimental group comprised of 39 males and 39 females (78 students) while the control had 41 males and 40 females (81 student). Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The achievement test in simulation (ATIS) was used to collect data on the student achievement.  Means and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the t-test was used to test the hypotheses a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that simulation increased students’ achievement in chemistry more than the conventional method. There was no significant different in the achievement of male and female students on the chemistry concepts. Based on the results it was recommended that chemistry teachers should be re-trained on the use of simulation in teaching while the government and stake holders in Education should sponsor the purchase of simulators to be used in teaching chemistry in schools. Key words: simulation, education, students’ achievement, chemistry, science and technology, National Policy on Education, gender, experimental and control groups.

Post occupancy evaluation of ventilation coefficient desired for thermal comfort in educational facilities

In tropical regions, one sustainable measure identified to attain thermal comfort and energy savings for interior spaces is natural ventilation. However, the ventilation coefficient as a factor for effective passive ventilation required for thermal comfort in educational facilities in warm, humid climates has not been adequately investigated. This study is a post-occupancy evaluation aimed at investigating the ventilation coefficient as a parameter for effective passive ventilation efficiency for good thermal comfort in the classrooms of public primary school buildings in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Among the data collection instruments are two data logging devices (thermo-anemometers-AZ 9871) used to measure air velocity, humidity levels, and temperature outside and inside the classrooms of 60 government primary school buildings in the study area. This selection was based on stratified random sampling techniques. For data analysis, the global ventilation coefficient and linear regression analysis were used. The findings demonstrate that the average natural ventilation efficiency was 80%, which is higher than the global ventilation efficiency standard of 60%. The research results further highlight that colonial classroom prototype buildings have a lower temperature value and ventilation coefficient of 83%, which in turn influenced the thermal comfort conditions of the classrooms investigated. The significance of this study is that the findings contribute to the existing knowledge base that would advance strategic policy formation towards acceleration of the uptake of sustainable and energy-efficient building designs for educational facilities in warm, humid tropical environments