Utilisation of green urban space for food sufficiency and the realisation of the sustainable development goals-UK stakeholders perspective

The exponential growth of food demand due to the increasing global population has the potential to seriously threaten the quality and quantity of food supplies due to climate change.This study explores the utilisation of green urban spaces for achieving food self-sufficiency by investigating the extent to which sustainable urban farms could be used to reduce the consumption of imported produce in the UK.It also examines urban farming stakeholders'perspective on how food self-sufficiency can help realise the SDGs especially SDG 2(Zero hunger)and SDG 13(Climate action).The study adopts a mixed method approach through a survey with 115 respondents and semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 respondents from 4 different urban farming stakeholder groups.The findings of this study presented a strong correlation between stakeholders who had concerns about where their food came from and the carbon footprint of imported produce.The research shows that,urban farms will no doubt play a vital role in the future of food security in our cities/communities and that the SDGs could be realised through sustainable urban farms implemented within the relevant planning regulations/policies.

Effects of Quality and Quantity of Information Processing on Design Coordination Performance

It is acknowledged that lacking of interdisciplinary communication amongst designers can result in poor coordination performance in building design. Viewing communication as information processing activity, this paper aims to explore the relationship between interdisciplinary information processing (IP) and design coordination performance. Both amount and quality are concerned regarding information processing. 698 project based samples are collected by questionnaire survey from design institutes in China's Mainland. Statistical data analysis shows that the relationship between information processing amount and design coordination performance follows a nonlinear exponential expression: performance = 3.691 (1-0.235IP amount) rather than reverted U curve. It implies that design period is too short to allow information overload. It indicates that the main problem in interdisciplinary communication in design institute in China is insufficient information. In additional, it is found the correlation between IP quality and coordination process performance is much stronger than that between IP amount and coordination process performance. For practitioners, it reminds design mangers to pay more attention to information processing quality rather than amount.

On the Profiling of Air Leakage Infiltration Pattern across Chinese Vernacular Buildings

The purpose of this paper is to provide understanding of the seasonal pattern of air leakage(infiltration)in Chinese vernacular buildings across China’s five climate regions.In achieving the set purpose,a grand extensive literature survey was conducted and supported with data drawn from established Meteonorm V6.1 on sensible heat and psychrometric variables.Numerical computations for normalized and specific infiltration from stack effects followed the Gowri method in line with ASHRAE reference 2004.Solar energy admittance into building followed Bouger’s model form Angstrom properties.From the distribution of vernacular buildings across five climate regions of China,evidence from computational and numerical values showed symmetries in terms of minimums and maximums times of occurrence.Further,a reciprocal pattern exists between solar radiative admittance and region’s temperature profile.Knowing that Chinese vernacular building heritage extended to further Asia,this research became limited to only the Chinese region.It became difficult to report if the construction culture away from China has correlation with infiltration and energy admittance value.Earlier works on Chinese climate and vernacular dwellings reported a climate responsive dwelling designed by passive cooling strategy;a gap was closed by extending the previous work to specific infiltration pattern and energy admittance level.Chinese vernacular buildings by virtue of research outcomes are and should be adoptable to modern housing needs for cultural integration.

The Impact of the Maputo Development Corridor on Wealth Creation within the Region It Serves

The Maputo Development Corridor along the N4 toll road between the north-eastern provinces of South Africa and Maputo （the capital and main port of Mozambique） was initiated in 1996. A Development Corridor can be seen as a concept to elevate an area to a certain level of development. One of the objectives of this project was investment in transport infrastructure in order to create an enabling environment for economic growth and development. The project is also in line with the 1995 Spatial Development Initiatives of the South African Government that attempt to improve investment in those areas were the greatest potential for growth exists. This paper addresses economic wealth creation within the broader region that the N4 toll road and the corridor currently serve. The research revealed that the areas closer to the N4 corridor had higher growth in terms of economic output as measured by Gross Valued Added than those further removed. There were a stronger correlation between growth in employment and proximity to the road corridor for the manufacturing, construction, trade and transport sectors. Analysis done also shows that income per capita has grown at a faster rate in areas closer to the corridor that areas further removed.

Assessing the adequacy and sustainability performance of multi-family residential buildings in Anambra State,Nigeria

The proliferation of multi-family residential building in Anambra State of Nigeria due to increasing demand without recourse to performance has broughtconcerns about the adequacy and sustainability of this housing type.This study therefore,assessed the adequacy and sustainability performance of multi-family residential buildings in urban areas of Anambra State.The study sampled the opinions of 384 households living in multi-family residential buildings through a questionnaire survey.We conducted data analysis based on 214 responses that were useful for analysis.The study found that internal and building component variables and supporting neigh-borhood variables were adequate,but the surrounding environment variables were inadequate based on Mean Score Index.However,based on Sustainability Performance Index,the occupant sperceived social sustainability performance of the buildings as satisfactory,while environmental and economic sustainability performance were perceived as fairly satisfactory.The Pearson correlation coefficient result further established that adequacy of internal and building component variables was significantly and positively related to the residents'perceived social sustainability performance.Adequacy of the surrounding environmental variables was also found to be positively and significantly related to the residents'perceived environmental sustainability performance,whereas adequacy of supporting neighborhood facilities was found to be negatively and significantly related to the residents’perceived economic sustainability performance.This sug-gested that investors and owners of multi-family residential buildings should direct more efforts towards improving the surrounding environment to supplements other facilities and increase the economic benefit of the renters or occupiers with increasing economic sustainability performance in terms of value for money.

Defects in Concrete Elements: A Study of Residential Buildings of 30 Years and above in Onitsha Metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria

Building defect is an issue in existing buildings that needs urgent tackling to prevent further problems. This study assessed the defects in concrete elements in residential buildings of 30 years and above in the Onitsha metropolis of Anambra State, Nigeria. Data collection instruments in the study include structured questionnaire, interviews, visual inspection/observations, archival records, recordings, photographs;and non-destructive testing of the concrete elements in an existing building in the study area. The population of this study constituted of the construction registered professionals and the existing buildings in study area. The sample for the study was based on the calculated sample size using Taro Yamani Formula. A total of 158 registered professionals were sampled from the population of 260. The questionnaires were purposively distributed to the registered professionals up to the required sample sizes of 158 and 129 questionnaires were properly filled and returned. The study used the SPSS and Microsoft Excel to analyze the data. The results were analyzed in percentages and figures using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of pie charts and tables. The finding of the study revealed that the causes and effects of structural defects on the concrete elements in existing buildings in the study area according to the rating are;exposed/corrosion of the embedded metals, faulty workmanship, overload and impacts, chemical attack, freeze-thaw deterioration, fire/heat, restraint to volume change. The visual observation revealed that the structural elements are characterized by heavy defects such as deep vertical, horizontal and diagonal cracks, exposed/ corrosion of the embedded metals, spalling of the concrete slabs. The existence of defects in the concrete members led to the low compressive strength of the concrete elements and the structural instability of the existing buildings as revealed by the non-destructive test. The non-destructive test result revealed that most of the tested concrete elements have low compressive strength value and such were remarked poor as they did not satisfy the assumed value. Essentially, the study concluded by recommending that regular monitoring, inspections and non-destructive testing of concrete elements should be conducted on existing aged and defected buildings to detect the structural stability of the buildings;and it is imperative to evacuate occupants from heavy structurally deteriorated and defected buildings since most of them have lost their residual design life span and ability to sustain imposed loads.

Impact of Risk on Performance of Design and Build Projects in Lagos State, Nigeria

＂Design and Build＂ procurement method has been in use in Nigeria and this method has been latent with a lot of risks. This study intends to identify the risk inherent in ＂Design and Build＂ and also to evaluate the impact of the identified risks on project performance. A descriptive research survey is undertaken for this study. Snowballing sampling technique was used via the use of questionnaires. Population of the study includes contracting organizations, consultants and clients＇ organizations that are recently involved in ＂Design and Build＂ projects. A total of 39 questionnaires were distributed and 27 were returned and used for the analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for analyzing the data collected. Descriptive statistical tool of mean item score was employed for the analysis. The results show that the most prominent risk is change in quantity/scope of work in terms of cost related risk while in terms of time related risks the most prominent risk is design changes. Errors and omissions during construction are the risks prominent in terms of quality. In conclusion, ＂Design and Build＂ procurement has a lot of inherent, unresolved and undefined cost, time and quality related factors that can trigger off risks that will affect performance of DB project. Implications of this study to practitioners in the construction is such that the findings of this study can create awareness for stakeholders and construction practitioners of the prominent risks that affect DB projects and this can help in better management of future DB projects in Nigeria and other developing countries. Design and Build procurement in spite of these plethora of risks is still strongly recommended for clients, stakeholders and other practitioners in the construction industry for use in their future projects. This procurement method delivers project faster, within cost and offers good quality of workmanship and product to users of this method.

Smart contract applications in the built environment: How prepared are Nigerian construction stakeholders?

Studies have demonstrated that advanced technology,such as smart contract applications,can enhance both pre-and post-contract administration within the built environment sector.Smart contract technology,exemplifying blockchain technologies,has the potential to improve transparency,trust,and the security of data transactions within this sector.However,there is a dearth of academic literature concerning smart contract applications within the construction industries of developing countries,with a specific focus on Nigeria.Consequently,this study seeks to explore the relevance of smart contract technology and address the challenges impeding its adoption,offering strategies to mitigate the obstacles faced by smart contract applications.To investigate the stakeholders,this research conducted 14 virtual interview sessions to achieve data saturation.The interviewees encompassed project management practitioners,senior management personnel from construction companies,experts in construction dispute resolution,professionals in construction software,and representatives from government construction agencies.The data obtained from these interviews underwent thorough analysis employing a thematic approach.The study duly recognizes the significance of smart contract applications within the sector.Among the 12 identified barriers,issues such as identity theft and data leakage,communication and synchronization challenges,high computational expenses,lack of driving impetus,excessive electricity consumption,intricate implementation processes,absence of a universally applicable legal framework,and the lack of a localized legal framework were recurrent impediments affecting the adoption of smart contract applications within the sector.The study also delves into comprehensive measures to mitigate these barriers.In conclusion,this study critically evaluates the relevance of smart contract applications within the built environment,with a specific focus on promoting their usage.It may serve as a pioneering effort,especially within the context of Nigeria.

Assessment of energy utilization and leakages in buildings with building information model energy

Given the ability of building information models （BIM） to serve as a multidisciplinary data repository, this study attempts to explore and exploit the sustainability value of BIM in delivering buildings that require less energy for operations, emit tess carbon dioxide, and provide conducive living environments for occupants. This objective was attained by a critical and extensive literature review that covers the following： （1） building energy consumption, （2） building energy performance and analysis, and （3） BIM and energy assessment. Literature cited in this paper shows that linking an energy analysis toot with a BIM model has helped project design teams to predict and create optimized energy consumption by conducting building energy performance analysis utilizing key performance indicators on average thermal transmitters, resulting heat demand, lighting power, solar heat gains, and ventilation heat losses. An in-depth analysis was conducted on a completed BIM integrated construction project utilizing the Arboleda Project in the Dominican Republic to validate the aforementioned findings. Results show that the BIM-based energy analysis helped the design team attain the world＇s first positive energy building. This study concludes that linking an energy analysis tool with a BIM model helps to expedite the energy analysis process, provide more detailed and accurate results, and deliver energy-efficient buildings. This study further recommends that the adoption of level 2 BIM and BIM integration in energy optimization analysis must be demanded by building regulatory agencies for all projects regardless of procurement method （i.e., government funded or otherwise） or size.

Strategies for reducing the costs of clean-energy technologies in buildings in Nigeria

The costs of clean-energy technologies are currently very high and their adoption in buildings is voluntary.This study evaluated strategies for improving the cost performance of photovoltaic(PV)electricity applied in buildings in Nigeria using a questionnaire survey involving 415 targets.The efficacy of each strategy and consensus in respondents’perceptions were determined using Fuzzy Set Theory and Kruskal-Wallis tests.The top four strategies for achieving PV-cost reduction are mandating green buildings,standardization of building designs and PV components,facilitating import licensing and massive public education.Developing these strategies to improve the PV value chain will increase the supply capacity of clean energy in emerging markets.