Benefits and Barriers to the Implementation of Green Building Standards in Universities: What are Students’ Views?

Abstract

Embracing the principles of green building in development is crucial in creating a sustainable environment. However, research on its adoption in educational institutions is very low and students’ opinions are not given priority in the few research that are available in Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the perception of built environment students on the need to embrace the principles of green building in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. 101 questionnaires were administered to students in the Departments of Architecture, Building Technology and Estate Management of the university and a response rate of 94% was achieved. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, weighted mean and relative importance index (RII) and the data was presented in tables. The study revealed that 88.42% of the students are aware of the concept of green building. According to the students, the degree of embracing green building standards in Covenant University is very low. Moreover, the benefits the students perceive the university can derive from adopting green building principles are: improved indoor air and water quality, reduction in pollution and environmental degradation, energy efficiency and water conservation. In addition, the students identified the following as the main barriers to green building adoption: ignorance on green building principles and their benefits (RII = 0.91), high cost of green building technology (RII = 0.89), ignorance on professional knowledge and expertise on green building (RII = 0.89), ignorance on green building principles promotion by government (RII = 0.87) and ignorance on importance attached to green building principles by management of universities (RII = 0.87). The study recommended, amongst others, that there should be a forum where university management teams can be enlightened on the gains of embracing green building standards. This study is expected to broaden the knowledge of the Management of Covenant University on the importance of green development which will make the university environment to be conducive for learning, which will in turn aid better students’ academic performance. The study concluded that green building principles are vital to the physical and aesthetic planning of any development as it will reduce the amount of raw materials used in construction.

Perception of the benefits of sustainable construction in Ghana

“…The diffusion of innovation theory drawn upon will influence publicity and knowledge/awareness creation among the CI stakeholders on the perceived benefits to be derived for adopting SC practices. The findings of this study were consistent with previous studies (Oluwunmi et al. , 2019; Oguntona et al.…”

“…Environmental benefits BSC1 Protecting air, water, land and ecosystems Oluwunmi et al (2019), Hill and Bowen (1997) discriminatory filter to choose the benefits to be included in the review (Osei-Kyei and Chan, 2015). A total of 33 benefits of SC were identified through a thorough literature review.…”

Optimising the Awareness of Benefits of Sustainable Construction Practices in Nigeria

“…Nduka & Sotunbo (2014) investigated the construction professional's perception on the awareness of green building rating systems and the accruable benefits in construction projects in Nigeria. Oluwunmi et al (2019) investigated the perception of built environment students on the need to embrace the principles of green building in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.…”

Obstacles to green building project financing: an empirical study in Ghana

“…Though the construction industry positively impacts urbanization through living and working spaces, as well as the national economy, its associated activities are reported to rapidly depress the environment (Oluwunmi et al, 2019). Currently, the building sector leads to the consumption of world energy sources and other resources like ores, wood, and the likes (Shi and Liu, 2019).…”

“…With the global population estimated to increase to about 9.8 billion by 2050 (United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs, UNDESA, 2017), there is no doubt that the demand for energy as well as other resources will also increase. In the view of Oluwunmi et al (2019), the livelihood of man depends on buildings; however, the development of the buildings should be such that it has no or low adverse effect on the environment. This ideology of putting up buildings without harming the environment has now brought the twenty-first-century construction industry into the concept of green buildings.…”