ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF GREEN BUILDING ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

1.1 Introduction

Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle. They buildings are the future and will over the next few decades be more common Nigeria. The demand for high performance buildings is gradually becoming a trend in the Nigerian building industry. The main objectives of sustainable construction activities are to avoid resource depletion of energy, water, and raw materials and to prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure throughout their life cycle (Nordic Research Institute, 2014). The built environment accounts for a large quota of material and energy consumption, biodiversity loss, pollution and waste generation (Afolabi, 2013).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Over the past few years, the concept of sustainability has become increasingly popular in discussions with in the commercial property sector. According to the Investment Property Forum, (2009), this has been largely fuelled by a growing understanding that commercial buildings are major contributors to increased carbon emissions due to increased energy usage which most experts now acknowledge is a major cause of climate change, and that improving the energy efficiency of such buildings can help reduce emissions and the consequential strain on the environment. Globally, the built sector is said to account for close to 40% of total end use of energy (International Energy Agency, 2008). Developed countries are becoming more proactive and seeking alternative and sustainable means to encourage the responsible use of energy in the built sector. This has invariably led to various policy interventions by leading Governments worldwide and technological improvements all aimed at changing the pattern of energy usage in the built environment although developing nations and 3rd world countries notably lag behind.

According Nwokoro and Onukwube (2011) the application of efficient waste management system, the use of renewable construction materials and effective use of project design facilities will facilitate the attainment of biophysical sustainability in Nigeria. To pursue sustainable construction, the industry is expected to evolve its processes of creating the built environment. Building construction has greatly increased and has been said to account for nearly half of all the greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumed owing largely to the energy used in the production and transportation of materials to building construction sites, and energy used to operate these buildings (Adegbile, 2013).

The building industry is a significant contributor to a majority of environmental issues (Celik, 2013). Green architecture ensures that no part or component of the building poses a threat to the surrounding environment. This requires the use of natural building materials with organic compounds like wood, bricks, or other elements rather than synthetics (Daramola, Adebayo & Alabi, 2012).

According to Nduka and Ogunsanmi (2015), adoptability of Green Building Practices in Construction Projects in Nigeria states that, Professional bodies should train and educate their members on green principles to ensure awareness and knowledge of the practice. To maintain effective sustainable practice on projects, professionals need to attend seminars, conferences and training programmes to improve their knowledge of green design, construction, methods and techniques. Embracing green or sustainable concept in design is aimed at reducing energy, operation and maintenance cost, reduced building related illness, increase the productivity and comfort of building occupants; reduce waste and pollution and increase building and component durability and flexibility. It is important that the focus of green concept be embraced from the early stages of building design, planning and construction. There is need to reduce the need for energy in building and create more awareness to ensure the efficient use of available energy (Malina, 2013).

Therefore, in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Impact of Green Building on Environmental Sustainability.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that Green concept, sustainability and environmental issues are hardly put into Consideration when designing a new building or renovating an old one. These results in a short fall in user satisfaction, functional space planning and service type (Otegulu, 2011). In spite of the huge environmental and energy problem in Nigeria, designers have not seen the need for a shift from their traditional method of designing buildings. The level of awareness of the development of green building in Nigeria is extremely low. Only few housing developments are going green.

The reasons could be traced to the assumption that it costs more to build green, the lack of awareness of the market, the knowledge, the research, and resources, steep learning for professionals, outdated planning and building codes, poor government policies with respect to built environment, shortage of engineers with experience of operating green building systems and lack of incentives for owner investors as opposed to owner-occupants (Udechuwku & Johnson, 2008).

In evaluating the level of Awareness and Practice of Green Construction, This research aims at addressing the problems limiting the practice of green construction which includesLack of adequate resources to promote the construction of green buildings, Limited professional capacity to integrate green designs into construction, Lack of institutional structures to promote green construction, little or no incentives from the government to promote green construction and so on.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to assess the Impact of Green Building on Environmental Sustainability in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To investigate the level of awareness of green construction in Bichi Local Government Area;
2. To identify the benefits of green construction in Bichi Local Government Area;
3. To identify the factors limiting the practice of green construction; and
4. To investigate solutions proffered to the factors limiting the practice of green construction.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the level of awareness of green construction in Bichi Local Government Area?
• What are the benefits of practicing green construction in Bichi Local Government Area?
• What are the factors limiting the practice of green construction in Bichi Local Government Area?
• What are the solutions proffered to the factors limiting the practice of green construction?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant awareness of green construction practice in the area under study.
• H0: There is significant awareness of green construction practice in the area under study.

Hypothesis Two

• H1: There is no significant difference among construction professionals on the perceived benefits of green construction in the area under study.
• H1: There is significant difference among construction professionals on the perceived benefits of green construction in the area under study.

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1.7 Significance of Study

The outcome of this study should assisting in highlighting the benefits and advantages of green construction, by examining the factors limiting the practice and awareness and proffering possible solutions and recommendations to achieve environmental sustainability, encourage recycling and reduce wastage.

This study will also create an avenue for future researchers to look more into the economics and cost elements of green designs in building with a view to making green building more affordable, viable and competitive against regular buildings.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Assessment of the Impact of Green Building on Environmental Sustainability in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Definition of Terms

Environmental Sustainability: This involves making decisions and taking action that are in the interests of protecting the natural world, with particular emphasis on preserving the capability of the environment to support human life.

Environment: The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism including natural forces and other living things which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.