Faculty of Environmental Sciences

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    Open Access
    A Least Squares Collocation Method of Geoid and Datum Determination for Nigeria
    (University of Lagos, 1988) Ezeigbo, U.C
    The geodetic datum in Nigerian is ill-defined, hence a redefinition is necessary. Such a redefinition should utilize the best available method to achieve the best solution that would meet various needs of geodetic datum. In this work, we undertake a feasibility study of the geoid and datum determination for Nigeria by the method of least squares collocation. We wish to ascertain whether the method is appropriate for Nigerian (local) geoid and datum determination, and if so, on what definite factors a good determination, would depend. We have arrived at the following conclusions based on simulated observations at a maximum number of 300 points: 1. Least squares collocation is appropriate for the geoid and datum determination for Nigeria. The method is seen as a better approach in handling the linear functionals of the anomalous gravity field than the classical least squares adjustment method. 2. Accurate geoid and datum determination depends on the covariance model, type, number and the distribution of the observations. For datum determination alone, a good estimate is also dependent on the datum-geometry. 3. Datum determination in low latitude regions to which Nigeria belongs can be more accurately accomplished using geoidal undulations alone than using any other combinations of the gravity dependent observations. However, only the datum shift parameters have been determined with reasonable accuracy by this method. 4. Based on the adopted covariance model (Tscheming and Rapp model), a mean accuracy estimate of the parameters which is better than the a priori standard error of the observed signals (undulations) is achieved. A minimum gain of 53% in the accuracies of the predicted signals (undulations) is also achieved. 5. Astrogeodetic deflections of the vertical alone are not suitable for the direct application to a datum determination; they should first be used in astro-geodetic levelling to compute geoidal undulations, which would later be applied in least squares collocation for the determination of the parameters.
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    Open Access
    A study of the maintenance management of public buildings in Nigeria
    (School of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Lagos, Akoka, 1991) Adebayo, S.O
    The purpose of this study was to examine the management of maintenance of Nigeria's public buildings with a view to identifying major problems and seeking solutions to them. It was also to determine whether or not its current standard was adequate.
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    Open Access
    Optimising the constructional and technological aspects of management for mass housing schemes in Nigeria
    (School of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Lagos, Akoka, 1991) Onukwugha, V.C
    With little or no cognisance taken of the role of management in the implementation of the project services phase of Nigerian Housing Policies, past attempts at provision of mass housing by various successive Nigerian government tend to be colossal failure.
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    An Evaluation of Factors Influencing Inaccuracy in Residential Property Valuation in Lagos Metropolis.
    (School of Postgraduate Studies University of Lagos., 2008) Gabriel, K.B
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    An Evaluation Of The Maturity Of The Nigerian Property Market
    (School of Postgraduate Studies University of Lagos, 2011) Dugeri,T.T
    This research on the Nigerian property market is set to ascertain its maturity status and find out factors that may have constrained its growth with a view of identifying steps to be taken towards its re- positioning. This study employs the property market maturity paradigm suggested by Keogh and D’Arcy (1994) as a framework for analysing property markets using the six criteria of – extent of diversity of use and investment objectives catered for, flexibility, property profession, market information and research, standardisation of market practices and property rights. The population for this study comprised estate surveyors and valuers, property developers, public officers charged with land administration, land use and development control. Others include investment fund managers and analysts. The study covers the property markets of Lagos, Kano, Port- Harcourt and Abuja. A total of 247 estate surveyors and valuers in the four cities were sampled using the cluster sampling technique alongside 24 interviewees in a mixed methods research design that involved a questionnaire survey and semi- structured interviews. The questions posed mostly as Likert- scale in the survey instrument were analysed using means after been subjected to a Kruskal Wallis H Test. Other forms of data employed include historic rents and official exchange rates of the Naira against the US $, and rates of inflation analysed to test for stability of values within the property market. On the basis of a uni- dimensional maturity criteria classification metric –scale, developed in the course of this study, was employed to evaluate the maturity of the Nigerian Property market using the four cities. On the aggregate, the market is adjudged to be open. It has however failed to achieve on all the other criteria. There is a thin presence of property professionals which accentuates the difficulties in entrenching standardised market practices and hence transparency. It would appear that the two problems of market capital liquidity, and the information quality and flow would have been overcome but for an endless restructuring of the financial and banking sectors of the economy prior and after the 2008 global recession. Based on these findings, the market is adjudged to be immature. Nevertheless, the market exhibits potential to emerge from its current status but must be given the needed fillip through a well articulated mix of land use policies and property based taxation. Deliberate efforts must be made to boost the presence of property professionals in the market, entrench standardisation of market practices, and property market research must assume centre- stage in the business of the professional society and academia.
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    Open Access
    Place Making: A Study of 'Oja-Oba' Open Space Design in Yoruba Urbanism
    (2011-12) Adejumo, T.O
    Values inherent in city spaces may be biophysical, social, cultural, religious, economic and political. These values give meaning and determine the level of user’s attachment. When urban space generates meanings to city people, the bond is stronger and ‘space’ at that point transforms to ‘place’. While some city open spaces succeed others failed to meet designed goals. This research investigated the inherent ‘place making’ attributes of Oja - Oba open space (King’s market) in Yoruba urbanism. The study is underpinned by overlapping theories of sense of place, geosophic planning, mimesis and architectural interpretation. The research is influenced by interpretive principles and a philosophical orientation in social constructionism. Research works on ‘place making’ is phenomenological and qualitative. Attempts to unravel the concepts behind open space design in Yoruba urbanism demanded the comprehension of the value system that established them. Grounded theory methodology was used. Data collection through seven scoped reviewed literature on Yoruba urbanism; semi structured interviews from seven Ifa sages on Yoruba urbanism and Oja - Oba; semi structured interviews of ten Oyo sages on Akesan market; and personal observation of Akesan market were undertaken. Concepts generated from the grounded analytical procedure were used to theorize Yoruba urbanism and Oja Oba as premier public space. Akesan open space at Oyo town was studied to verify derived hypothetical propositions. The research revealed that Yoruba urbanism and its open space design is influenced by her Cosmological World View. The cosmological world view is manifested in 16 sided polygonal cosmogram with 4 prominent radiating streets along the cardinal points. The research observed that there is a relationship between Yoruba cosmological world view and institutional framework that sustain Oja-Oba place making. Further revelation shows that Oja-Oba ‘place making’ theoretical propositions were influenced by cosmological world view especially congregation of people for various activities. These activities were identified as ‘eight place’ themes that carry Oja Oba open space design values. They collectively define Oja - Oba open space as Yoruba city symbol. The effectiveness of these themes is enhanced by Yoruba geosophical knowledge in site xiv planning. The study evolved a ‘place making’ conceptual framework that grafted the ‘place themes’ on cardinal orientation influenced by the four Yoruba principal gods. Design works that create Yoruba atmosphere must reflect the influence of the cosmogram on the ‘place themes’ to enhance congregation at public places. This mimetic design and biomorphic planning philosophy is relevant for the spatial branding of Yoruba built environment in this season of cultural globalization threat on nations outside western hemisphere. Based on the findings and conclusion the study recommended the use of ‘architectural numerology’ in open space ‘sense of place’ determination; establishment of dynamic people driven institutional framework for the planning, development and management of public open spaces; redefinition of public spaces policies based on value driven activities for the sum totaldevelopment of 21st century Yoruba city people; incorporation of identified eight ‘place themes’ in open space policies with the goal of creating Yoruba atmosphere in the design, construction and management of city spaces; and conceptualisation of public spaces as part of urban symbolic economic development. These recommendations are to be seen as ‘meaning’ generating policies that will enhance architecture of public ‘place’ in Yoruba urbanism.
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    Facilities Management and Performance of Office Buildings in Lagos Metropolis.
    (2013) Koleoso H.A.
    The real impact of facilities management (FM) varies with the socio-economic context of its application and invariably with the degree of effectiveness of the service. This research is motivated by an attempt to develop a scale of measures for evaluating the effectiveness of FM that is relevant to the Nigerian socio-economic context and using this scale, evaluate the direct effect that FM has on the performance of office buildings in the environment. This would guide organisational executives in making strategic decisions and the legislative arm of government in formulating policies that will enable FM play more important role in economic growth. The research adopts cross sectional survey design. Data were obtained using self-administered questionnaires that were served on users of purpose-built office buildings in Lagos metropolis and the facilities managers or support service providers (SSP) of these buildings. Multi-staged sampling combining stratified and random sampling was used to select the sample size of 492, made up of 369 building users and 123 SSPs respectively. Statistical tools employed include means, ranking, factor analysis, multiple correlation and multiple regression analyses. The four hypotheses that were postulated were tested using one sample t test, Wilcoxon rank signed test, t test for significance of correlation coefficient and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of F ratio respectively. Using respondents’ perception on the importance of the featured measures, this research developed a multi-item scale of 41 measures for evaluating effectiveness of FM. This scale brought to light a new category of measure (crisis response and management) with two dimensions which makes it appropriate for the peculiar Nigerian context and by extension to the context of the developing world, where infrastructural provisions are inadequate and regulatory and standardisation policies and enforcement are poor. The two dimensions “response plan to public and building service emergencies” and “response plan to poor regulatory policies and standards enforcements” which evidence shows that have not featured in any previous researches, comprise 12 different measures. Four (4) of these were rated among the first 10 most important measures, further justifying the inclusion of this category as an innovation in this study. It was also found that the performance of office buildings in Lagos metropolis is significantly less than satisfactory. The study indicates that buildings in the study performed most satisfactorily in aspects of internal ambient comfort, flexibility of internal layout and physical control of equipment, while issues of health, safety and management of emergencies were of major concerns. The study established that there are sufficiently marked differences between the performance of building attributes in this study and those of past works, probably because of the differences in the contexts of the researches. Hence supporting the notion that researches on performance in FM must be context based, to be informative. Office buildings that are managed using strategic FM principles were found to be performing significantly better than those where non-strategic FM principles were applied. Another key finding is that there is a direct strong positive relationship indicated by a correlation coefficient of 0.8 (at 99% probability), between the effectiveness of FM and building performance. It was also indicated that the effectiveness of FM is responsible for 63% of the variation in office building performance and is therefore a significant predictor of this variable. A mathematical model with the equation BPV = 3.60 + 0.37SCAE + 0.31GQP + 0.23TP + 0.12PSBE + 0.14PRSE is proposed for predicting a numerical score for performance of buildings based on FM service input and reflecting challenges of the Nigerian context. Thus, providing a tool for quantitative comparison of building performance and FM effectiveness, and a means for qualitative FM decisions. It is recommended that the legislative arm of government and other stakeholders should be sensitised to the potential gains of this tool and FM as indicated in this research. Furthermore, appropriate regulatory and standardisation policies must be formulated and implemented to improve facilities managers’ response and management of building and public service emergencies in the spate of accident, fire, health and other emergencies in buildings across the country.
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    Open Access
    A Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Dwelling Density in Multifamily Apartments in Public Housing Estates in Lagos.
    (2014) Iweka, A.C.O
    This study is an attempt to establish how actual dwelling density during the habitation phase correlates with the programmed dwelling density during design phase in multifamily apartments in Lagos. In this regard, the research attempts to establish design density as the number of adult-equivalent persons intended to occupy an apartment. It further attempts to determine the actual dwelling density as the number of adult-equivalent persons occupying the same apartments during habitation. Using Post-occupancy Evaluation (POE), the two results are compared to determine the strength of the association between the outcome occupancy and the predicted occupancy for different prototype apartments. The study is restricted to low-income and medium-income mass housing estates built by Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) between 1973 and 2005, which contain multifamily apartments. This investigation is a case study of LSDPC as a single unit entity, based on survey research design. Four large housing estates were purposively chosen for detailed study. Ebute-Metta estate is in the medium-income category, while the three low-income estates are Abesan, Iba, and Dolphin II. The unit of study is the original prototype apartments. The study population is 17,679. The sample frame is 7,764 comprising all the multifamily units in the four estates. Data for this study were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Data collection was through triangulation approach comprising survey, physical measurements of “as-built” floor plans of existing apartments, and an assessment of archival drawings from LSDPC’s database. The survey approach involved structured questionnaires, distributed to and collected from household heads. A probability sample design was employed to select apartments to be studied within each estate. A two-stage approach was applied to select representative sample sizes. In all, a 7.5% sample of the apartments was chosen from each estate as follows: Abesan (320), Dolphin II (43), Iba (179) and Ebute-Metta (40), totalling 582 apartments. These samples were then stratified according to the proportion of two-bedroom type, three-bedroom type, and four-bedroom type existing in each estate. A systematic random technique was finally applied to choose the eventual 582 units for detailed study. A total of 184 questionnaires were returned, giving an effective return rate of 32%. The quantitative analytical technique was employed. Logic model was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistical methods including tables, column charts, means, modes, chi-square, and one sample t-tests, were also applied to analyze and compare quantitative data obtained from questionnaire. Five measurement criteria from the literature that stipulate suitable separation of rooms used for sleeping according to age, and sex of household configuration were applied to determine the number of rooms needed in each apartment. The five indicators are: Number of habitable Rooms; Number of Bedrooms; Combined Area of Habitable Rooms; Aggregate Area of Rooms for Cooking, Eating, and Living (CEL); and Total Area of Each Apartment. A major finding is the non-existence of a programme or theory that clearly states the rated capacity or estimated intensity of occupancy. This gap was addressed by obtaining the rated capacity for each of the six apartment types investigated. It was observed that the estimate of how each apartment was designed to be occupied varies remarkably across the five computation techniques applied in this research. Results from the study indicate that, contrary to widespread opinions which regard LSDPC’s apartments as overcrowded, there is indeed higher spread of under-occupancy (78.7%) than over-occupancy (19.9%). The study found that the effect of apartment type and location on dwelling density is not significant, at 95% confidence level. Similarly, the use of seven household characteristics as parameters for assessing the intensity of dwelling density in LSDPC’s apartments has weak significance. These are: gender of household head, socio-economic status of household head, marital status of household head, ethnicity of household head, age of household head, length of stay in an apartment, and mode of purchase of apartment. On the contrary, three household characteristics were seen to have significant effect on dwelling density. These are: education level of household head, employment level of household head and tenure. These findings suggest that for LSDPC to enhance the dwelling density of its apartments, social policy concerns in the areas of education and employment should be integrated into the agency’s housing provision initiatives.
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    Open Access
    Landscape Characteristics of the Lagos Lagoon Waterfront: Perceptions and Preferences for Tourism.
    (2014) Nnezi Uduma, O
    Landscape is internationally recognized as an important part of any human settlement. Research has shown that landscape characteristics is one of the factors that influence a destination’s attractiveness to tourists. Tourism is a major industry and continues to grow in all parts of the world. Water tourism has not been given adequate attention in Nigeria and particularly in Lagos. Centrally located in the heart of Lagos State, is a major natural and landscape resource – Lagos Lagoon waterfront whose usefulness as a tourism resource is the subject of this research. Although the Lagos Lagoon is one of the biggest lagoons in Nigeria, as well as the largest of the four lagoon systems of the Gulf of Guinea, its waterfront has developed into slums with different blights. Part of the problem has been the lack of stated tourism policy for the area and lack of information on its landscape resources. The study investigated the perceptions and preferences of the landscape characteristics of the Lagos Lagoon waterfront as it affects its tourism development. Using landscape assessment techniques, the landscape of the lagoon was evaluated in context of other factors that influence tourism in the study area. Four Hundred and Twenty two (422) respondents at six locations were surveyed to determine tourists’ / users of water tourism destination’s opinions of the landscape and other issues that impact tourism of the lagoon shores during festive seasons and on public holidays. Twenty six Landscape and tourism experts were interviewed in their offices, using semi-structured questionnaires. A Mapping was done of the landscape of the lagoon. This formed the basis for the photo-questionnaire which showed 20 pictures taken from different points along the Lagos Lagoon waterfront, shown to respondents to measure their landscape perception and preference. The results of the survey were analysed using SPSS version 16. The study developed a predictive model for tourism in the Lagos Lagoon waterfront, in relation to its landscape units, place attachments and social patterns. The model provides policy makers information about the factors affecting landscape resources as they relate with tourism development, especially in the Lagos Lagoon waterfront. The correlation coefficient of determination obtained was (R2) = 0.591; which is the amount of information being explained by landscape units, place attachment and social patterns, about tourism in the model. The model indicated that landscape of the lagoon has the greatest significant effect on its development for tourism. Results revealed that the landscape characteristics of the lagoon is very significant and the slum clearance ranked highest as a deterrent to the development of the Lagos Lagoon tourism, followed by the enhancement of its physical qualities (water, vegetation) and provision of infrastructure. Results also showed a disconnect between the experts’ and the general public perception of tourism status of the lagoon. The recommendation is that there needs to be more public enlightenment and a realignment of priority in land use planning for development of tourism in the Lagos Lagoon. It is also recommended that greater attention be given to the enhancement, development and amelioration of the landscape along the waterfront to boost tourism development in the Lagos Lagoon.
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    Open Access
    Use and Enforcement of Valuation Standards in Nigeria
    (2015-12) Gambo, Y.L
    Valuation standards are established recognized and accepted guidelines for best practice in the conduct of professional valuers to ensure reliability, effectiveness, and transparency in their valuation services. This study examined the use and enforcement of valuation standards in Nigeria with a view to developing a framework to guide in valuation best practices. The research adopted a cross sectional survey design. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from 203 Estate Surveying and Valuation firms in Lagos, 87 in Abuja, and 48 in Port Harcourt using cluster sampling technique. The results of the survey were complemented with interviews of 18 key officials of relevant professional regulatory bodies and content analysis of 182 valuation reports. The survey achieved a total response rate of 63% in Lagos, 83% in Abuja, and 87% in Port Harcourt; this represents 44% of Estate Surveying and Valuation practice in Nigeria. Statistical tools employed include: frequencies, mean scores, Pearson product moment correlation, stepwise regression analysis, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Based on the grand mean score of 2.25, the results showed that valuers are largely unaware of the operation of valuation standards. A significant variation in level of valuers’ awareness was found. There was greater awareness of International Valuation Standards (IVSC White Book) compared to national standards (NIESV) and British (RICS Red Book) standards. It was found that 26.6% of valuers do not use any valuation standards at all. Among those that are aware and use the standards, 29.3% expressed greater preference for the use of international valuation standards while 24.9% preferred Nigerian standards. Even then, these valuers do not all comply with the minimum reporting content as provided in the standards most especially in critical aspects of valuation such as statement of purpose of valuation; basis of valuations; market and industry analysis; and risk analysis. In addition they do not integrate sustainability considerations in their valuation reports. There was no enforcement measure found being used by the regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with valuation standards. Factors identified that significantly influence use of valuation standards were: lack of awareness; failure to mandate use of valuation standard; valuers lack understanding of how the valuation standard operates; client do not demand use of and compliance with standards; the valuation standard is out of date; absence of effective monitoring; and absence of property data base. Factors majorly influencing enforcement of standards were: inadequate finance; lack of proactive regulatory bodies; and inadequate government policy toward professionalism. A framework to guide the use and enforcement of valuation standards in Nigeria was developed and validated using focus group discussion with professional practitioners and valuers regulatory bodies. The study recommends among other things that valuation regulatory bodies should introduce up-to-date national standards with adequate enforcement mechanisms so as to improve the quality of valuation practice in Nigeria; create more awareness of valuation standards among valuers; incorporate the workings of valuation standards in tertiary school curriculum; and government should come up with policies to support professionalism.
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    Open Access
    Maintenance management of Prison facilities in South-West, Nigeria
    (School of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Lagos, Akoka, 2016-08) Ajayi, O.O
    Maintenance management optimises the use of available maintenance resources to improve and sustain the function of facilities. This ensures that prison facilities provide a safe environment for its users and also create an environment that supports Nigerian prisons goals.
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    Home Ownership Determinants among Workers in Public Tertiary Institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria: A Behavioural Approach
    (2017-05) Anyakora, M.I
    This work studied interactive influence of socio-economic, behavioural, and lifestyles variables on home ownership among workers in public tertiary institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria. The population of the study was 10, 285 comprising of all workers in University of Lagos, four thousand three hundred and sixty-eight, Lagos State University, one thousand six hundred and eighty-three, Yaba College of Technology, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, Lagos State Polytechnic, one thousand one hundred and seventy-two,Federal College of Education Technical, five hundred and sixty-five, and AdeniranOgunsanya College of Education, four hundred and ninety-eight. Cross sectional survey design approach was used in this study. A total of 2,058 self-administered questionnaire representing 20% of the sample frame was proportionately drawn from the listed institutions and structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Analysis was based on 1,773 sets of questionnaire accepted after screening. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used in analysis. The study established that behavioural, and lifestyle variables are significant predictors of home ownership as humans are “socio-econopsychological” in home ownership matters. It also found that 80% of workers in public tertiary institutions in Lagos State in Nigeria have home ownership dream and aspire to realize it. However, the major new discovery from this study is that; socio-economic and behavioural variables interact at different total effect values (ranging from -0.011 to - 0.0126) > than direct effect values (ranging from – 0.003 to – 0.022), p- value 0.000 and 95% Confidence Level to influence home ownership. Based on the above revelation, the study developed a Home Ownership Intention Action Schematic Diagram to guide and aid proactive home ownership pursuit efforts. Therefore, the study concluded that socio-economic, behavioural and lifestyle are the variables that determine home ownership not only socio-economic variables as was previously believed. The study recommended inclusion of home ownership studies into educational system of Nigeria in order to increase home ownership rate in the country. Key words: Behavioural, , , Workers.
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    Maintenance Management Sourcing Practices and the Condition of Tertiary Institution Buildings in South-West, Nigeria
    (2017-10) Faremi, J.O
    The deplorable state of buildings in tertiary institutions across the country due to non-strategic maintenance processes poses a threat to the delivery of qualitative tertiary education in Nigeria. Although building maintenance activities can be executed using insourcing or/and outsourcing practice(s), each of the sourcing practices has its merits and demerits. Policy makers in tertiary institutions are therefore saddled with the responsibility of deploying building maintenance practices that support the implementation of effective building maintenance activities. The making of an appropriate decision on either to insource or outsource maintenance services in a tertiary institution is strategic in nature. This decision-making process is usually complex and constitutes a difficult task to decision-makers. This is because different sourcing option suits different scenarios. This study aims at developing a decision-support framework for building maintenance insourcing and outsourcing practices in tertiary institutions. It examines the extent to which the condition of buildings in tertiary institutions is influenced by the quality of insourced and outsourced maintenance practices. Through a cross-sectional survey approach, data were collected from maintenance staff and building users using two sets of selfadministered questionnaires. The sample for the study comprises 43 maintenance managers, maintenance technical staff, and 406 building users across South-West, Nigeria. Secondary data were sourced from the National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education. The statistical tools employed for the analysis include mean scores, the relative influence index, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Welch’s test, principal component analysis and multiple linear regression. Results of the analysis indicate that there was no significant between the level of use of insourcing and outsourcing practices in tertiary institutions in South-West Nigeria. The results revealed the factors influencing decision to insource or outsource maintenance services in Universities and Polytechnics in South-West Nigeria. The results show that there was no significant difference between the perception of maintenance staff and building users on the condition of buildings in tertiary institutions with respect to the maintenance sourcing practices. Buildings maintained through outsourcing practice were found to be in better condition than buildings maintained using in-sourcing practice. The result shows that there was a significant relationship between the quality of maintenance services and the condition of buildings in the tertiary institutions. The study developed a decision-support framework to assist policymakers and maintenance managers on insourcing and outsourcing decisions-making for building maintenance services in tertiary institutions. The study concludes that insourcing and outsourcing maintenance practices were interchangeably used in executing building maintenance activities in tertiary institutions. The decision to insource building maintenance activities are influenced by strategic, management and technological factors while outsourcing decision are influenced by quality, strategic and management factors. There is a significant relationship between the condition of buildings and the quality of maintenance services. Hence, the condition of buildings can be predicted by the quality of maintenance services. The quality of outsourced maintenance services was better than those of insourced maintenance services. Policymakers in tertiary institutions should adopt the proposed maintenance sourcing decision-support framework as a tool for driving building maintenance sourcing practices.
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    Housing Development Characteristics in Lagos State Peri-Urban Settlements
    (2017-10) Adedire, F.M
    The emerging housing developments in Lagos State peri-urban settlements is characterised by high level of informal development, poor quality and confronted with multi-dimensional challenges. Policy response to the pattern of growth does not match the pace of rapid housing development in Lagos peri-urban settlements. This research examined the characteristics of housing development in the peri-urban settlements of Lagos State, Nigeria and specifically investigated the drivers of housing development, socio-economic attributes of the residents, the quality of housing and the challenges of the management of the emerging peri-urban housing developments. Using a case study approach, housing developments in peri-urban settlements in Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu Local Government Areas were selected to represent the rapidly urbanizing metropolitan peripheral areas in Lagos State. Data were collected through primary and secondary sources which include satellite images, aerial photographs, survey questionnaires, direct observations and in-depth interviews. Using two stage sampling techniques, questionnaire was distributed to households in purposively selected 16 peri-urban settlements and 18 peri-urban settlements in Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu Local Government Areas respectively. Purposive sampling was adopted to minimise cost because of the dispersed locations of the peri-urban settlements. In-depth interviews were conducted with government planning officials, developers and business owners. Data collected through field survey were analysed using frequencies, percentages, cross tabulations and regression analysis while qualitative data were analysed using descriptive analysis. Findings revealed that major drivers of housing development in the study area are principally land affordability, low cost of living, easy linkage and proximity to urban centres, and provision of better quality housing through exclusive gated housing development. The findings also demonstrate that different housing initiatives in the peri-urban settlements performed differently in typology and resident’s perception. Socio-economic attributes revealed a multi-cultural households composition, reasonable literacy level and mostly male headed households. Findings also showed factors that influence dwelling quality in the study area are choice of building materials, neighbourhood and locational quality. Challenges to governance are location-specific and mostly poor infrastructural development. It is recommended that improved quality and user performance peri-urban housing development can be achieved through residents’ participation in housing policy design and also by timely regional policy response to the pace of housing development in Lagos peri-urban settlements.
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    Training Practices and Task Performance of Professionals in Construction Firms in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria
    (2017-11) Ijaola, I.A
    Construction organisational and project performance are known to depend on the competencies and performance of professionals. Studies have established that the task performance of construction professionals is low due to inadequate or deficient training. However, issues regarding the relationship between training practices of construction firms and task performance of construction professionals are yet to be adequately explored. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between training practices of construction firms and task performance of professionals engaged by the firms. The specific objective of the study are to: investigate the prevalent task characteristics among construction professionals, evaluate the effect of construction professionals’ personal characteristics on task characteristics, determine the relationship between task characteristics of construction professionals and training practices of construction firms, determine the relationship between training practices of construction firms and task performance of construction professionals and develop a model for predicting the task performance of construction professionals from training practices of construction firms. The objectives were achieved by conducting a field survey involving a sample size of 171 construction professionals and 171 site managers located in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. The sample size was selected from a sample frame of 257 construction firms by stratified random sampling. Two research instruments namely: Construction Professionals’ Questionnaire and Construction Professional Supervisors’ Questionnaire were used to collect data for the study. The instruments were administered to construction professionals using trained research assistants. A total of 218 each of the research instruments returned were valid for analysis representing 85% response rate. Data collected were analysed using percentage, mean score, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Moment Correlation test and Structural Equation Modeling. From the findings, the study revealed that 12 parameters of task performance and 11 parameters of training practice were significant and they relate positively with one another. The parameters were therefore termed as 12 key task performance indicators and 11 key training practice indicators. From the relationship existing between the two groups of indicators, a model was developed for predicting the task performance of construction professionals from training practices of construction firms. It was also discovered that the characteristics of the tasks performed by professionals engaged by construction firms have a significant relationship with the training practices of their employers. It was therefore concluded that training practices of construction firms influence task performance of construction professionals thus the performance of construction professionals can be assessed using the 12 key task performance indicators while training practices can be implemented in construction firms using the 11 key training practices indicators. It was also concluded that task characteristics of construction professionals affect the training practices of construction firms. Based on the findings, it was suggested that construction firms should use the task performance indicators discovered in the study when appraising the performance of professionals engaged by them and adopt the model developed in setting targets and managing their performance. It was also suggested that training programmes proposed for professionals engaged by construction firms should be based on the characteristics of the tasks performed by them.
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    Thermal Performance of Building Envelopes of Public Primary School Classrooms in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
    (2017-11) Oginni, O.A
    Building performance in terms of energy, thermal and environmental management are front burner issues in most parts of the world, presently. The building envelope and its constituent materials play a significant role in determining the indoor thermal comfort within a space. Building thermal performance is ultimately a combination of several factors, inclusive of the impact of the building envelope, occupancy levels, and internal equipment. Limited research has been carried out on school buildings in Africa, especially for children below the age of 11. The aim of this research is to assess the building envelope and thermal performance of public school classrooms in Lagos Metropolis against readily established standards. Objectives of the study are identification of the characteristics of primary school building envelopes in Lagos Metropolis, evaluation of the thermal performances of primary school classrooms, evaluation of the relationship between the building envelopes and the thermal performance, the assessment of the impact of thermal performance on pupils’ comfort and development of a model explaining relationship between the building envelope and the pupils’ comfort. Using a two-stage sampling method, questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders in schools selected from the six educational districts; using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Subjective and objective measurements were carried out according to class II field experiment method and in consonance with ASHRAE’s (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning, Engineers) stipulated standards. The results showed that three variables - air temperature, humidity levels, and class density accounted for about 52% of the variability in the Thermal Preference Vote of the respondents. Findings also showed neutral temperature at 270C, which is over and above the lower boundary of 240C recommended by ASHRAE. This is owing to adaptations in the tropics. The ‘U’ shaped layout of classrooms was found to be most preferable for Lagos Metropolis, as it was found to have the greatest stability, self-shading, compactness, and thermal efficiency of the four classroom layouts investigated. Recommendations were made for future provisions of classroom designs to be tailored towards enhancement of activities at the hottest periods of the day and year, and no single design template should be adopted for use on various sites.
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    An Assessment of Cooperative Societies and Housing Supply in Lagos State
    (2018-01) Oyalowo, B.A
    The severity of the housing supply deficit in Nigeria has necessitated the participation if cooperative societies in the housing sector. However, their activities have remained under researched. The aim of this thesis is to establish the scope and constraints of co-operatives’ housing supply activities in order to develop a set of guidelines that would integrate them as functional housing suppliers in Lagos State. Objectives of the study are: one, to assess the current activities of co-operative societies in housing supply; two, to determine constraints to their participation; three, to examine differences in constraints experienced by employment based and non-employment based co-operatives and four, to examine success factors of co-operative societies that have successfully developed housing on their land. Objective five recommends an action plan for their effective participation in housing supply. The study adopts an explanatory, sequential QUAN-qual mixed method design that starts with a major, quantitative study, followed by a smaller scale qualitative study. For the quantitative phase, a survey based on systematic random sampling of co-operative leaders was carried out; a total of six hundred questionnaires were distributed with response rate of seventy five percent being achieved. For objectives one, two and three, analysis was done with descriptive and inferential statistics with the use of independent T-tests and multivariate techniques. For the qualitative aspect, a Focus Group Discussion was carried out and analysis done with a computer software. This was carried for objectives one, two and four. Integration of results was utilized to achieve objective five. Findings show that co-operative societies are most active in land acquisition activities but are constrained by eight categories of constraints such as production costs, pre-construction costs, issues in member involvement and lack of external support, amongst others. Findings also show that across the three activity areas (land, finance and housing construction); employment based co-operatives are more active in the housing supply process than non-employment based cooperatives. As contribution to knowledge, the study discovered seven crucial success factors for co-operative societies’ involvement in housing supply which have not been identified by previous researchers in this study area. These provide fresh policy directions for the sector. The study also generated a time-bound, integrative action-plan to release thousands of co-operative housing units in Lagos State.