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Abstract:The study investigated the relationship between students' perceived thermal discomfort and stress behaviours affecting their learning in lecture theatres in the humid tropics. Two lecture theatres, LTH-2 and 3, at the Niger Delta University, Nigeria, were used for the study. Two groups of students from the Faculties of Agriculture and Engineering and the Department of Technology Education constituted the population. The sample size selected through random sampling for Groups A and B was 210 and 370 students, respectively. Objective and self-report instruments were used for data collection. The objective instrument involved physical measurement of the two lecture theatres and of the indoor temperature, relative humidity and air movement. The self-report instrument was a questionnaire that asked for the students perceived indoor thermal discomfort levels and the effect of indoor thermal comfort level on perceived stress behaviours affecting their learning. The objective indoor environmental data indicated thermal discomfort with an average temperature of 29-32˝C and relative humidity of 78% exceeding the ASHARE [1] and Olgyay [2].The students' experienced a considerable level of thermal discomfort and also perceived that stress behaviours due to thermal discomfort affected their learning. Further, there were no significant differences in the perceived thermal discomfort levels of the two groups of students in LTH-2 and 3. Furthermore, stress behaviours affecting learning as perceived by the two groups of students did not differ significantly. In addition, no correlation existed between the perceived indoor thermal discomfort levels and stress behaviour levels affecting learning for students in LTH-2, because the arousal level of the students in the thermal environment was likely higher than the arousal level for optimal performance [3,4]. However, a correlation existed in the case of students in LTH-3, which was expected because it only confirmed the widely-accepted view that stress behaviours exhibited by students in any learning can have a profound effect on learning. It was recommended that teaching-learning indoor environment should be thermally comfortable by providing adequate window openings with proper orientation and also by ensuring that the learning space only accommodated the required student capacity to reduce the stress behaviours that affect learning.

<p><b>This thesis investigates Nigerian architects’ and building owners’ perceptions of Environmentally Sustainable Design Methods (ESD) to identify barriers preventing ESD adoption for providing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in Nigerian residential buildings. Most of the surveyed architects and building owners agree on the problem of thermal discomfort in Nigerian residential dwellings. However, the results show that architects and building owners opt for non-sustainable methods for addressing this problem. This study aims to understand why architects and building owners are choosing non-sustainable methods. To achieve this aim, the study investigates barriers preventing the widespread adoption of ESD in Nigeria to understand why ESD is not generally adopted as a preferred solution for addressing the problem of thermal discomfort.</b></p> <p>The thesis reports on a three-stage evaluation of current barriers to environmentally sustainable design methods in four Nigeria states (Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Bayelsa) and concludes by providing basic ways through which ESD could be adopted for ensuring thermal comfort and energy efficiency. A mixed-method research approach was utilised due to its robustness in addressing the research objectives. Stage 1 involved the distribution and analysis of questionnaires from 130 architects; stage 2 undertook semi-structured interviews with 21 architects; stage 3 undertook the distribution of questionnaires to 142 building owners and a visual physical examination of their respective buildings. The results showed that the barriers preventing the adoption of ESD in Nigeria include: a lack of technological development, cost of building construction and operation, public perception, poor governance, and most importantly, a lack of knowledge on the means of adopting ESD. The results from the interview with architects on the main obstacles to ESD showed that a lack of knowledge had the highest citing of 85%, poor governance a citing of 66%, economic factors 57%, and social factors 52%, respectively. These figures were similar to the results from the building owner’s survey.</p> <p>Given the lack of knowledge on adopting ESD, the thesis provides an explicit but straightforward set of ESD strategies that would add to the existing body of knowledge on ESD, resolve the lack of knowledge, and make ESD easily applicable. It is recommended that the Nigerian government and related institutions set a clear strategy for educating the public on the benefits and means of adopting a pro-sustainable culture. This strategy would include highlighting the importance of environmental protection and ESD, the possible environmental and health implications of environmental degradation, and the long-term economic benefits of sustainable design. Such a strategy should include a structured system of information dissemination through formal and informal mediums such as public campaigns and social media to reach a wide-ranging audience. The research findings identify the range of possible barriers preventing the attainment of a sustainable environment in Nigeria and other countries with similar issues. They also form the basis for an action plan.</p>

<p><b>This thesis investigates Nigerian architects’ and building owners’ perceptions of Environmentally Sustainable Design Methods (ESD) to identify barriers preventing ESD adoption for providing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in Nigerian residential buildings. Most of the surveyed architects and building owners agree on the problem of thermal discomfort in Nigerian residential dwellings. However, the results show that architects and building owners opt for non-sustainable methods for addressing this problem. This study aims to understand why architects and building owners are choosing non-sustainable methods. To achieve this aim, the study investigates barriers preventing the widespread adoption of ESD in Nigeria to understand why ESD is not generally adopted as a preferred solution for addressing the problem of thermal discomfort.</b></p> <p>The thesis reports on a three-stage evaluation of current barriers to environmentally sustainable design methods in four Nigeria states (Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Bayelsa) and concludes by providing basic ways through which ESD could be adopted for ensuring thermal comfort and energy efficiency. A mixed-method research approach was utilised due to its robustness in addressing the research objectives. Stage 1 involved the distribution and analysis of questionnaires from 130 architects; stage 2 undertook semi-structured interviews with 21 architects; stage 3 undertook the distribution of questionnaires to 142 building owners and a visual physical examination of their respective buildings. The results showed that the barriers preventing the adoption of ESD in Nigeria include: a lack of technological development, cost of building construction and operation, public perception, poor governance, and most importantly, a lack of knowledge on the means of adopting ESD. The results from the interview with architects on the main obstacles to ESD showed that a lack of knowledge had the highest citing of 85%, poor governance a citing of 66%, economic factors 57%, and social factors 52%, respectively. These figures were similar to the results from the building owner’s survey.</p> <p>Given the lack of knowledge on adopting ESD, the thesis provides an explicit but straightforward set of ESD strategies that would add to the existing body of knowledge on ESD, resolve the lack of knowledge, and make ESD easily applicable. It is recommended that the Nigerian government and related institutions set a clear strategy for educating the public on the benefits and means of adopting a pro-sustainable culture. This strategy would include highlighting the importance of environmental protection and ESD, the possible environmental and health implications of environmental degradation, and the long-term economic benefits of sustainable design. Such a strategy should include a structured system of information dissemination through formal and informal mediums such as public campaigns and social media to reach a wide-ranging audience. The research findings identify the range of possible barriers preventing the attainment of a sustainable environment in Nigeria and other countries with similar issues. They also form the basis for an action plan.</p>