Renovation usually increases the aesthetic and market value of buildings. Consequently, with the rapid growth of the city's population and skyrocketing demand for decent housing, the current trend of building conversion and renovation of existing and dilapidated property stock within city centres has become rampant. The rise in demand has pushed beyond the boundaries that every real estate investor wants to maximize profit, and it has resulted in the prevalence of uncontrolled building development, land use conversion, and non-compliance with building requirements, etc. Renovations that involve changes in building elements (especially the window system) that can influence energy saving and ventilation efficiency have thus become very common. However, the effects of building renovations on ventilation and energy efficiency have not been fully examined, particularly in Enugu (Nigeria), a rapidly growing colonial metropolis. This research employed a qualitative research approach to investigate the effects of building renovation on ventilation and energy saving in Achara layout, Enugu City, Nigeria. Four blocks of flat residential buildings were the derived sample size using a judgmental sampling technique. Physical measurements, an observation schedule, and oral interviews with site workers centred on window size, area, property, and fenestration type were used to collect empirical data involving the window system. The result reveals a very significant difference between the as-built and renovated window design systems of all studied variables. Its conclusion hinged on the fact that a renovated structure does not encourage effective natural ventilation and hence will consume more energy in cooling and lighting. It recommends the re-introduction of appropriate window systems and construction techniques for the tropical environment to reduce heat stress build-up within building units. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-SP2021-07-09 Full Text: PDF

Air pollution and air pollutants effect on humans and the atmosphere in general, is now an issue of great concern to researchers globally. Consequently, efficient mitigating strategies need to be introduced for the sake of the environment and most importantly human health. To this effect, this study aims to investigate possible ways through which architecture can help curb air pollution and air pollutants in the atmosphere through innovative architectural design strategies and controlled construction practices, with specific guidelines on how to achieve these strategies. The study in the quest to achieve the above aim employed the literature review research design, with particular reference to works of literature that dwelt on innovative and sustainable design strategies within the built environment. Evidence in literature reveals that air pollution is one of the major issues faced by man due to high level of industrialization and lots of other human activities, with a majority of the research dwelling on how pollutants are being generated but just a few studies dealt on how architectural and construction practices contribute to air pollution and the possible ways to reduce the effect of air pollution and air pollutant to the atmosphere through innovative design strategies, which is where this study plays a major role in filling that gap. The research finding from this study ascertained that all stages of building development projects from the inception of the project to its deconstruction release pollutants into the atmosphere. It concludes that the most effective way of controlling air pollution within the built environment is through the use of greenery (bio facade) and adopting a sustainable design system. The study will help inform government environmental agencies, architects, urban planners, builders, and all other stakeholders in the built environment on sustainable ways to tackle air pollution in the urban areas, most especially where there is no luxury of land for the planting of trees and vegetation.