Enhancing reliability and validity in a study exploring the indicators of a sustainability assessment framework for neighbourhood development in Nigeria

There has been a continued interest in built environment research due to its crucial roles in providing practical solutions to such challenges like climate change, biodiversity and environmental degradation amongst others. One of such studies is the conceptualization of sustainability assessment frameworks in various contexts as a tool for decision-making. However, evidence of studies that addresses the validity and reliability of the research design adopted in built environment research is currently lacking. The aim of this chapter is to examine the validity and reliability of a research formulated to explore the indicators of a sustainability assessment framework for neighbourhood developments in Nigeria. The research aligns with the critical realism philosophical stance which advocates that knowledge can be sourced through the perception of people with respect to an underlying structure based on a present reality. The case study research strategy was adopted using metropolitan Lagos. A mixed method research approach was used to address the study objectives. The study ensured internal validity as the distilled indicator set was validated in terms of its comprehensiveness, usability and adoptability in metropolitan Lagos by engaging with relevant stakeholders. More also, the co-efficient of variation and the content validity ratio served as the instrument to confirm and strengthen the robustness of the quantitative data. The external validity was ensured by a large sample size of 309 residents indicating its representativeness for larger population. The repeatability of the study in the same context and obtaining similar result known as the internal reliability was enhanced through transparency of the research design and process. The study takes the knowledge of the validity and reliability of built environment research beyond the theory by operationalizing it using a case study to further help in the understanding and application to future research

Institutional stakeholders’ perceptions of a sustainable neighbourhood in metropolitan Lagos

Understanding the term urban sustainability continues to dominate discourse in the built environment as societies explore how cities can be considered sustainable. Due to the increasing rate of urbanization, scholars argue that the battle for sustainability will be won or lost in cities; recognizing the crucial role that neighbourhoods can play as building blocks of urban areas. However, while the context-specificity of the several approaches to sustainability at the neighbourhood level has been recognised, no single accepted understanding of a sustainable neighbourhood has emerged. This paper explores institutional stakeholders’ understanding of a sustainable neighbourhood using questionnaire data from metropolitan Lagos. This aligns with the critical realism philosophical stance which believes that knowledge can be sourced through the perception of people with respect to an underlying structure based on their reality. The findings show variations in the perceptions with institutions having similar responsibilities differing in their understanding of the concept. It was unclear why a single common understanding was missing and why certain elements were more emphasised than others even in institutions having similar roles. Further research should explore the mechanisms at play in influencing these understandings and how they may differ in various urban contexts in Sub-Sahara Africa

Operationalising the Bellagio STAMP using selected neighbourhood sustainability assessment frameworks

The 21st century has heralded a plethora of Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Frameworks through which a proposed neighbourhood development can be evaluated against an array of Sustainability Indicators (SIs). As these assessment tools continue to become the definition of a sustainable neighbourhood in different context due to their wide acceptance, it is essential to establish a global methodological framework for Sustainability Assessment at the neighbourhood level. This paper operationalises the Bellagio STAMP using the BREEAM Communities; LEED ND V4; PCRS; and the Green Star Communities. This is with the aim of arguing for a consensus approach to Sustainability Assessment at the neighbourhood level. Coupled with this, is to critically review if these selected assessment frameworks could lead to more sustainable neighbourhoods as envisaged. Findings from the study revealed that some of the selected assessment tools align partially with the Bellagio STAMP in their development as discussed in the paper. This study recommends that the Bellagio STAMP could be adopted to offer helpful guidelines and procedure in conceptualising Sustainability Assessment at the Neighbourhood level especially in developing countries where such a framework is yet to be conceived

Conceptualising the characteristics of the indicators of a neighbourhood sustainability assessment framework in a developing country context

Sustainability Indicators (SIs) emerged to monitor progress towards sustainable development which has led to the development of large quantity of indicators locally at the various scales of spatial development. This paper utilizes 23 SIs that were distilled in engagement with both residents and institutional stakeholders responsible for neighbourhood delivery in metropolitan Lagos. The aim is to conceptualise how these indicators can be characterised in terms of their attributes in a way they can be compared with indicators developed in other contexts. Drawing extensively from literature on how indicators can be described, the 23 indicators were characterised based on their typology in an assessment framework, weight, and ranking, and balance (i.e. contextual, procedural, and integrational). Findings showed that while there are some similarities in the characteristics of the indicators when compared to existing Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Frameworks (NSAFs), there are areas of differences which are primarily driven by contextual factors. As major area of contribution, this article could serve as a starting point, and basis for comparison with indicators developed in other African cities with similar contextual factors and sustainability challenges. This paper contributes significantly to the argument that SIs are context-specific and transference of sustainability solutions may be quite challenging. Keywords: assessment framework, characteristics, context, neighbourhood, sustainability indicators, BREEA

Passive Cooling Consideration in the Effective Planning and Design of Public Buildings in Nigeria

The rapid increase in the growth of Nigerian cities as a result of mass rural-urban migration has led to a demand for more public buildings. The ongoing campaign for sustainability backed up with the statistics that confronts us daily have necessitated the need to deliver more environment-friendly public buildings. This study is aimed at enhancing sustainable utilization of energy through passive cooling in the planning and delivery of public buildings with optimum design condition for users’ comfort in Nigeria. The objectives are: (i) to identify the factors that enhances the passive performance of a building (ii) to measure these factors through case study survey and post occupancy evaluation of three existing public buildings (iii) to arrive at optimum design conditions using passive cooling in public buildings. Findings showed inadequate consideration of the design strategies that enhance the passive performance of a building due to dependence on active cooling means in the public buildings visited. The paper recommended for a policy framework for the planning of public buildings and canvassed the need for professionals in the built industry to consider how key design strategies can be considered in the early stage of their design decisions that will lead to sustainable public buildings