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The goal of architectural education is directed towards the attainment of a humane and responsive environment. This is subsumed in the overall purpose of education, which is to prepare people to perpetuate and improve their society. In this endeavour architects are trained to understand the nature of societal problems in their environmental context. This paper takes a critical look at the programmes of architectural education in Nigeria in their bid to contribute to, and improve the quality of the human habitat and ensure its sustainability. It notes the degradation of the environment and housing conditions in Nigeria's urban centres, which is symptomatic of the rapid urbanisation occurring in the country. It asserts that though the curricula in Nigerian architectural schools have been designed to ensure the provision of education that ensures the attainment of professional skills requisite for effective shaping, reordering , and articulation of the built environment, there are shortcomings. It proffers recommendations for invigorating architectural education for attaining a sustainable and qualitative human habitat.

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Courtyards are historically a notable part of residential buildings in South-west Nigeria and other parts of tropical Africa. They perform a range of functions – from the climatic to the socio-cultural. Presently, new residential buildings are excluding courtyards while existing courtyards within residential buildings are being altered. This paper presents a study that investigates the reasons for these in the context of Akure, a medium-sized city in South-west, Nigeria. We conducted twelve semi-structured interviews with three groups of purposively selected participants. These are: those who own and live in houses with courtyards (whether transformed or not), those living in houses without courtyards and built environment professionals (architects and planners). Factors influencing the disappearance/transformation of courtyards include increasing demand for compact and cheaper buildings, changing household lifestyle, climatic/ecological problems, insecurity. This paper proposes means through which the value of courtyards in residential buildings might not be completely lost.

The construction industry is one of the largest solid waste generators all over the globe. Because waste generation from both new construction works, as well as renovation works has been on the increase, it is absolutely necessary for the construction industry to adopt ecologically sound planning and construction practices for the purpose of creating a healthy and sustainable built environment. This is the focus of this paper. It appraises the management of construction waste in Nigeria and Akure in particular. A survey of selected construction sites in Akure is used as a case study to demonstrate the magnitude of poor management level of construction waste generation observed and the implications on the built environment. Research findings reveal that the Ondo State Waste Management Board is responsible for the management of solid waste in the city and over 78% of the construction waste is disposed indiscriminately or burnt on site, since the mandate of the board does not cover construction waste. Contractors were observed to cart away a sizeable junk of the waste for other uses. The paper suggests a wide range of measures for minimisation of waste on construction sites. These include modularisation of design, standardisation of building components, industrial production of building materials, efficient specification writing, retraining of building professionals, reuse and recycling among others. The paper concludes that there is colossal deficiency in the management of construction waste in the study area and recommend ways of ameliorating it.

The role of public toilet facilities in Nigerian universities cannot be underplayed because it is important in the sanitation enhancement of campus environment. Public toilets matter to everybody, regardless of their age, class, ethnic origin, gender, mental ability or physical ability. The harmony of a building would not be complete without it. A close observation of universities environment without adequate public toilet facilities at strategic locations is an impediment to its assumption of a full-fledged academic environment. This paper examines the provision, sanitation, and management of public toilets using Federal University of Technology, Akure; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and University of Lagos, Akoka as case studies. Findings revealed the unhealthy conditions of toilet facilities in institutional housing and recommends waterless toilet facilities for institutional buildings in Nigeria.

Housing is central to quality of life and consumes large amounts of resources in its construction, maintenance and use. It contributes significantly to sustainability because it consumes a substantial proportion of the global greenhouse gases. The building industry consumes a substantial percentage of the materials entering the global economy, and is responsible for the emission of almost half of the global greenhouse gases. Sustainability is achieved in housing through minimizing climate change, reducing pollution and improving air quality and health, and thus creating sustainable settlements. In Nigeria building earth is the indigenous material for construction and has been used for centuries. Extensive research has been carried out in the country, notably by the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute which has resulted in the use of stabilized blocks for walling offering low-carbon solutions. This research focuses on the development of the blocks as innovative low carbon construction materials for housing construction in Nigeria. It discusses the potentials of the blocks in minimizing negative impact on the environment and thus enhancing sustainable housing.

Purpose This paper is based on users’ satisfaction with housing infrastructure as a derivative of their participation in evolving the facilities from inception. The paper aims to examine optimal performance of infrastructural facilities with a view to determine the satisfaction of users in the study area. Design/methodology/approach This study reports on a cross-sectional doctoral research study on 304 household heads in the transitional and peripheral zones of Akure, Nigeria. The infrastructure studied were water supply, electricity supply, roads, drainage, waste management and security. A structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and physical observations were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean satisfaction scoring and categorical regression analysis. Findings Respondents found the infrastructural facilities in their communities to be unsatisfactory; they also indicated low levels of participation in the provision of infrastructure. Residents were most satisfied with waste management and least satisfied with water supply. The results showed a significant relationship between users’ participation and satisfaction with housing infrastructure. Practical implications The findings imply that giving adequate attention to users’ involvement in the provision process of infrastructural projects can enhance their satisfaction with infrastructure. Originality/value The study highlights the benefits of involving users in the process of providing housing infrastructure, establishing a positive relation with their satisfaction.