Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6): 951-961

© Scholarlink Research Institute Journals, 2012 (ISSN: 2141-7024

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):951-961 (ISSN:2141-7024)

Comparative Study of Environmental Sustainability in Building

Construction in Nigeria and Malaysia

Alabi Afees Abolore

Department of Estate Management, University of Lagos,

Akoka-Yaba, Lagos.
___________________________________________________________________________
Abstract
Sustainability creation and awareness depends on the understanding of the consequences of individual actions,
quest for knowledge and absolute involvement and commitment to the principle. This research is significant in
that it compared the perception of the building professionals/developers of sustainability in building
construction industry in Nigeria and Malaysia. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the
professionals in the built industry on the awareness level of sustainability concept and its practicability in the
construction industry. The study revealed that in a developing country like Nigeria, there is a low awareness
level. The situation in Malaysia as at 2009 is that there was a moderate awareness level of sustainable
construction. This was evident in a similar study carried out by Nazirah Zanul Abidin in 2009 and published in
a journal of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. Another area of enquiry was the social,
economic and environmental features that constitute the triple bottom line of sustainability. The response
evidenced that building professionals define sustainability more in terms of effective protection of the
environment other than inclusion of both economic and social features. The professionals in the building
industry, developers, Investors, property occupiers, Government and Non-Government Organizations have been
identified as major stakeholders, drivers and promoters towards boosting and strategizing for a sustainable built
environment. The study recommended that to improve the understanding and awareness of sustainability
concept, a lot has to be done in the area of educating the construction players through conferences, seminars,
training, and workshops. A virile consultation and collaboration between the academicians and the practitioners
is also canvassed. Similar responses and recommendations were also observed in Malaysia study earlier carried
out.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Keywords: sustainability, sustainable construction, developers, Nigerian construction industry.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION resource consumption over its relatively long lifetime
Public awareness in recent times of natural resources (Prasad and Hall, 2004, p. 8). They at the same time
and its compelling and conflicting use has fuelled the constitute a negative impact on the natural
sustainable development as an important concept in environment throughout their entire life cycle: from
the decision making process even beyond the the design through the obsolescent stage and the
construction industry. It has been gaining increasing eventual demolition of the final product. When
popularity across various sectors since the Brundtland sustainable practices are put into place, it is evident
Commission Report in 1987. However, despite an that constructed buildings are healthier for the
overall increase in consciousness and efforts to environment and healthier for people. As concerns on
pursue sustainability, the general scenario appears to the condition for our natural environment increases,
be one of increasing commitment by a small group of concept of sustainable practices has continued to gain
supporters, rather than the emergence of a renovated more attention in virtually all sectors of human
mass culture. One of the reasons for this difficulty is endeavour.
that the philosophical underpinnings of sustainability
may not be well understood by the population Thus, many world events have initiated and prompted
(Onwueme and Borsari, 2007) some ideas and strategies that sent positive actions
and plans to numerous countries to absorb and
Buildings and built environment as one of the bye- implement sustainability within their industries. For
products of the construction industry provides us with instance, integrating sustainability issues into
so much comfort and shelter in our homes, property valuation by valuers (Lorenz, 2006),
workplaces, place of leisure and places of learning Planners advocating for sustainable cities
and explanation. The built environment provides a development (Majdalani et al., 2006) and the builders
synthesis of environmental, economic and social are not also left out of crusade for sustainable
issues. It provides shelter for the individual, physical construction. The pace at which individual profession
infrastructure for communities and is a significant and industry respond to this challenge varies
part of the economy. Its design sets the pattern for depending on their awareness level and readiness to
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yield to its lessons and benefits. Lorenz (2006) industry for attaining sustainability. Kibert (1999)
however, asserted that actors within the construction defined sustainable construction as creating a healthy
or property market are the slowest to react to environment using sustainable-efficient, ecologically
challenges imposed by sustainable development. based principles’’.
While there are several definitions for sustainability,
most encompass one basic goal. The goal of Sustainability in construction is all about following
sustainability is to guide the economic and social suitable practices in terms of choice of materials,
forces of the earth’s nations to live within the goods their sources, construction methodologies as well as
and services provided by the ecosystems and design philosophy so as to be able to improve
naturally occurring sources of energy (solar, performance, decrease the environmental burden of
geothermal, tidal) without reducing the availability of the project, minimize waste and be ecologically
these goods, services, and energy sources for future friendlier. It also means cities and building that
generations. respond to the emotional and psychological
environments, raising awareness of important values,
The Brundtland (1987) commission defined inspiring the human spirit, and bonding societies,
Sustainability as the ability to carry forward or communities, and neighbourhoods. Sustainable,
support or maintain for a prolonged period construction has been understood by many nations as
approaching perpetuity. Sustainability means meeting the way the building industry responds to achieve
the needs of today without compromising the ability sustainable development, Lanthing (1995) further,
of future generations to meet their needs. It is also qualifies sustainable construction as a special case of
perceived to be a goal that allows for the continuing sustainable development targeting the specific group
improvement of standard of living without reversible of construction industry. This group is to develop,
damage to resources we need to survive as species plan, design, build, alter or maintain construction
(Lehrer 2001). Looking at each element separately, sustainably.
‘sustainability’ means the capacity for an activity to
be carried on indefinitely into the future, given the Construction industry, like other sectors of the
amount and type of resources available, whereas economy, is at present an efficient and wasteful
‘development’ implies that society will change or activity that create human habitat in a manner
grow in the same way. Hence, ‘sustainability’ generally focused on profitability without
suggests change and improvement that is compatible consideration of its long-term impacts (Kibert 1999).
with environmental, social and other limits, both now For example, the land that is built on, the fuel to
and in the long-term future (Gray and Wiedemann, construct and maintain the building, water, and waste
1999). disposal are all provided by nature. At the same time,
the construction process negatively impacts nature in
Debate has been on-going among academics, several ways: disputing the balance of nature,
consultants and corporate executives resulting in destroying the habitat, generating waste, creating
many definitions of a more human, more ethical and pollutants, and altering the balance of natural
a more transparent way of doing business (Van systems. The sure route to mitigate these destructive
Marrewijk, 2003). Hopwood, et al., (2005) advocated and damaging activities is to welcome the philosophy
that the concept of sustainable development was the of sustainable construction. As the benefits of
result of the growing awareness of the global links sustainability continue to change the Architecture/
between mounting environmental problems, socio- Engineering / Construction Industry and the number
economic issues to do with poverty and inequality of green projects rises in the developed countries due
and concerns about a healthy future for humanity. It to market changes, more construction firms are
strongly links environmental and socio-economic gaining experience with this new way of building and
issues. Therefore, it is generally agreed that changing their expectations for new lives from
sustainability has environmental, social and economic degrees – granting construction programs.
dimensions, but some approaches focus only on the
environmental or social or economic dimensions, This is however, not the case in most African
while others attempt to treat all three aspects developing countries including Nigeria that claims
simultaneously . the ‘Giant of Africa’. Sustainable construction as an
aspect of sustainable development has not received
Often the terms ‘’sustainability’’ and ‘’sustainable sufficient attention in the country and the continent
construction’’ are used interchangeably. However, over. The issue awaiting full and urgent attention is
there is an important distinction between that building industry is having serious negative
sustainability and sustainable construction. impacts on the environment and in practice is a major
Sustainable construction refers to the actual process detractor from the objective of sustainable
that sustainability is achieved by. The term development.
‘sustainable construction’ was originally proposed to The vast majority of building development are
describe the responsibility of the construction conceived, designed, permitted, constructed, operated

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):951-961 (ISSN:2141-7024)

and managed without a comprehensive account of A recent estimate puts the world’s wealth at $48
their consequences for sustainability. Most trillion, of which approximately half is real estate
development in the Construction Industry in the past (Lynch & Gemini, 2007 in Babawale and Oyalowo,
has been in the direction of cost reduction, high tech 2011). Real property represents the commonest form
(energy intensive) materials, faster Construction and of asset held by corporate bodies and individual
Mechanization (reduction in manpower). Other than investors (Babawale and Oyalowo, 2011). Its place in
actions which make economic sense, (like using the economic growth and over well-being of any
demolition waste for filling), little has been done to nation cannot be under estimated. Construction/real
make ecological sense. The imperative is a strong estate activities are thus expected to be enormous
focus on the environmental impact of materials as with its attendant’s destructions and damages of the
well as the construction of the projects. ecosystem. The construction industry and its process
negatively impact nature contributing significantly in
In the attainment of a mega-city status, the utilization distrupting its balance, depletion of raw materials,
of sustainable methods for infrastructure destroying the habitat, generating waste, harmful gas
procurement, construction, installation and emission thus, creating pollutants, and altering the
management in Nigerian cities including Lagos State balance of natural systems. (Addaae-Daphae et al;
remains crucial. Delivering this objective requires 2009). This lead to a growing realization around the
action and total commitment from all engaged in world to alter or improve our conventional way of
constructing and maintaining the building including development into a more responsible approach which
those providing design, consulting and construction can satisfy our needs for development without
services. It involves readiness to investigate virgin harming the world we live in. The opportunity for
areas in construction approach and preparation to improvement arrived when a new philosophy called
apply new ideas, practices and new products. As ‘sustainable development’ was introduced in 1987 in
interest in sustainability increases world-over at an Brundtland Report. Since that, many progressive
alarming rate, Nigeria should not fell short in its global events had taken place to increase the
attitude on sustainability and sustainable awareness on environment and sustainable agendas
construction. Nigeria needs to display absolute such as Rio Earth Summit 1992, Maastritcht Treaty
acceptability by abiding to the messages that comes 1992, Kyoto Conference on Global Warming 1997,
with concept of sustainability and strives to compete Johannesburg Earth Summit 2002 and Washington
favourably in the global market. Nazirah (2009) Earth Observation Summit 2003 (Nazirah, 2005).
observed that construction industry plays a significant This concept of sustainability and its practical
role in the economic growth of Malaysia as it implementation have been increasingly considered by
contributes between 3%-5% to the national GDP. He policy makers to be one of the most critical tools of
also confirmed the Government readiness to upgrade achieving a balance between economic, social and
the country including the its construction industry by environmental objectives.
committing towards Vision 2020, which calls for a
comprehensive quantum leap towards a knowledge The concept of sustainability in building and
based society. construction has initially focused on issues of limited
resources especially energy, and on how to reduce
The aim of this paper is to examine the level of impacts on the natural environment with emphasis on
knowledge and awareness of construction developers technical issues such as materials, building
on sustainability and sustainable construction. components, construction technologies and energy
Accordingly, objectives include the examination of related design concepts. The appreciation of the
the application of sustainable concept in past and significance of non-technical issues (soft issues) has
current project; the future outlook of this application grown, giving recognition to economic and social
in the construction industry; the level of sustainability concerns as well as cultural heritage of
implementation of sustainable practices; and the built environment as being equally important.
determination of whether they are socially, Presently, the concept of sustainable construction
environmentally and economically accepted. A governs three main pillars: environmental protection,
conclusive note outlining the consequences of social well-being and economic prosperity
unsustainable construction and challenges to be met
by built environment practitioners in promoting The basic principle of sustainability from an
sustainability in construction, facilities design and environmental perspective concerns the effective
management concludes the paper. management of physical resources so that they are
conserved for the future. In the last few decades, the
Environmental, Economic and Social physical limits of our planet, both as a provider of
Sustainability resources and as a sink for waste disposal, have been
Several research projects have been initiated to well established in theories, studies or concepts such
investigate different aspects related to sustainability as ecosystem biodiversity (Hawken, 1994), carrying
and the environment in general including real estate. capacity (Daly and Cobb, 1989), the limits to growth

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(Meadows et al., 1992) or natural capital (Lorins et long-term viability (Carroll and Shabana, 2010).
al., 1999). Operating under an environmentally Social sustainability requires that firms embrace the
sustainable perspective, organisations should use only economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary
natural resources that are consumed at a rate below expectations of all stakeholders, not only financial
that of natural reproduction, or at a rate below the shareholders (Carroll, 1979). CSR is a way of doing
development of substitutes. They do not cause business that is based on ethical principles and
emissions that accumulate in the environment at a structured management controls, and that takes into
rate beyond the capacity of the natural system to account social and environmental considerations
absorb and assimilate. Finally, they do not engage in alongside economic considerations when making
activity that degrades eco-system services (Dyllick business decisions, and attempts to create positive
and Hockerts, 2002). Although builders have little impacts on all stakeholders. However, they are faced
influence over the extraction of natural resources, with the problem of how to incorporate concept into
they can help discourage this activity by demanding practice.
less non-renewable natural resources, more recycled
materials, and efficient use of energy and mineral A more practical definition of sustainability
resources (Addis and Talbot, 2001). principles focuses on the “triple bottom line” concept,
where organisations simultaneously consider their
From Economic angle, the perspective initially economic, social and environmental sustainability
emerged from economic growth models that assessed performance (Elkington, 2001). It suggests that
the limits imposed by the carrying capacity of the corporate progress should be measured in terms of
earth (Meadows et al., 1992). The continued growth economic prosperity, environmental sustainability,
in population, industrial activity, resources use, and and social responsibility. However, translating the
pollution could mean that standards of living would triple bottom line concept of sustainability into
eventually decline. This led to the emergence of actionable steps and investments has proven to be
sustainability as a way of thinking about ensuring that difficult for most organisations. Since each
future generations would not be disadvantaged by the organisation possesses different capabilities and
activities and choices of the present generation. relationships they are likely to pursue sustainability
British economists such as Pearce et al., (1989) and in different means. Given this, leading organisations
Kay (2004) have highly been influential in advancing are adopting various approaches to implement
the agenda for macroeconomics dealing with the sustainable business practices, however, with mixed
understanding of sustainability. Zadek et al., (2005) success (Preston, 2001; Marshall and Brown, 2003;
define the economic element as the creation of Laszlo and Zhexembayeva, 2011). Therefore, a
material wealth, including financial income and question confronting most organisations that have
assets for the organisation. implemented or planning to be implemented in the
near future is: what does sustainability mean to them;
Organisations that wish to align their strategies, what sustainability initiatives can be pursued; and
operations and communications with some or all of how business should shift into a true sustainability
the principles of sustainability for whatever reasons framework yet remain within the confines of the
will need to be able to understand, manage, and dominant competitive market model (Laszlo and
communicate how their ‘economic impacts’, link to Zhexembayeva, 2011).
social and environmental outcomes. This need will be
particularly marked for those organisations that have Even business interests who have shown significantly
the most significant economic impacts. increased commitment to sustainable practices
struggle to express the concept in less abstract jargon
Sustainability does not stop at economic or like “continuous improvement,” or “social and
environmental dimensions. To live in a society, there environmental responsibility,” or “corporate
is a need for efficient and reliable housing, transport, citizenship”. For businesses, the lack of single
energy distribution, health-care, communications and agreed-upon definition of sustainability and its
utilities. This notion of ‘institutional sustainability’ objectives has become a real blockage in
typically relies on a government’s long term understanding and implementing sustainability
environmental and social commitment. However, initiatives. Research on this issue is critical if we
over the decade, a growing group of companies are intend to advance our understanding of business
acknowledging their role in addressing social decision-making processes that result in actions that
problems through Corporate Social Responsibility reflect a more integrated notion of sustainability
(CSR) initiatives (Hoffman, 2000). Arguments in (Kallio and Nordberg, 2006). Even though few
favour of CSR typically begin with the belief that it is authors argue that it is crucial to understand the
in a business’s long-term self-interest to be socially concept of sustainability there is little empirical
responsible. This view holds that, if business is to research on the perceptions of the UK industrial
have a healthy climate in which to function in the sectors on the concept of sustainability – which is the
future, it must take actions now that will ensure its core raison d’être of this paper.

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):951-961 (ISSN:2141-7024)

Effective corporate sustainability strategies and sustainable construction will enable the construction
responses are more likely to be achieved if decision- players to be more responsible to the environmental
makers have a thorough understanding of the concept protection needs without neglecting the physical,
of sustainability. social and economic needs in striving for better
living. Construction industry must inevitably change
Sustainable Development and Construction its historic methods of operating with little regard for
Industry- Of What Benefits? environmental impacts to a new mode that makes
Construction practitioners worldwide are beginning environmental concerns a centerpiece of its efforts.
to appreciate sustainability and acknowledge the Previously, the concern on environment is relatively a
advantages of building sustainable. Thus, the small part of most of construction development.
contribution of buildings and of the property and However, with the growing awareness on
construction sector to sustainable development could environmental protection due to the depletion of non-
be immense. However, the major argument is not that renewable resources, global warming and extremity
sustainable behaviour in property and construction of destruction to ecology and biodiversity impact, this
market should be pursued only because it is issue have gain wider attention by the construction
beneficial for humans, the environment and because practitioners worldwide. Many efforts are being
environmental legislation requires us to do so, but directed to build sustainably in construction world.
because it significantly increases financial profit and The direction of the industry is now shifting from
long-term competitiveness. Following more developing with environmental concern as a small
sustainable property investment and management part of the process into having the development
strategies is, indeed, a highly profitable exercise and process being integrated within the wider context of
refurbishing the existing building stock represents environmental agenda. Thus, the activities of
(across all industry sectors) the most cost-effective construction industry must work and comply with the
solution available for tackling the looming needs to protect and sustain the environment.
environmental crisis. There are no adverse side
effects of applying sustainable development thinking As a more broadly and in a comparatively short
to the investment in, development and management period of time, sustainability has become a key driver
of property assets. Indeed, sustainable development of many business decisions, in part being guided by
thinking particularly lends itself to deal with the ‘carrot and stick’ forces – the halo effect which
nature of property investments which traditionally rewards alignment with popular environmental
require pursuing medium-to -long-term investment concerns, while in contrast the growing corporate
strategies. accountability movement compels greater disclosure
of environmental impacts (Nelson, 2007). As a
Sustainability building squeeze the current maximum consequence, sustainability is no longer a technical or
utility achievable for owners, users and the wider moral issue, but an economic and financial
public, out of the lowest possible use of land and imperative. There is increasing evidence that
through put of energy and raw materials and leading investors and occupiers are seeking premises with
to the lowest possible impacts and risks for the global enhanced environmental performance and greater
and local environment. These buildings are not any social amenity and, importantly, they are prepared to
more expensive to build from the outset than pay a premium in rental and capital terms for such
conventional ones (see for example, Mathhiessen and space (Breslau, 2007).
Morris, 2007) but their ownership result in various
benefit for investor, ranging from drastically lower Designers as well as owners are however realizing
operating cost to improved, longer useful life-spans, that with due attention and meticulous planning
significantly increased occupant productivity and building can be designed to save energy, decrease
well-being as well as more stable cash-flows which in impact on the environment, be more people –friendly
turn have economically quantifiable benefits. As a and reduce lifecycle costs.
result, increasing economic return, sustaining the Sustainability in construction projects is generally
natural environment and protecting social values are achieved by:
not incompatible; at least not within property and  Defining clear goals sympathetic to
construction markets. Hydes and Creech (2000), (as sustainability issues.
cited by Nazirah, (2009) asserted that green building  Concentrated effort at design stage to
costs lower than conventional buildings and saves achieve these goals.
energy. This was further supported by Barlett and  Focusing on decisions like site selection,
Howard (2000) who added that sustainable buildings building layout, design etc.
will contribute positively to better quality of life,  Choosing the right materials which are
work efficiency and healthy work environment. Yates recyclable after their useful lives
(2001) explored the business benefits of sustainability  Choosing the right methods of construction
and concluded that the benefits are diverse and in term of energy and resource efficiency
potentially very significant. The approach of

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 Creating efficient and integrated building 80% of businesses having their head offices or at
envelop harnessing the gift of nature least a branch office in the city. The strategic and
 Integrating HVFAC and electrical systems. economic importance of Lagos stem from both its
national and political history.
RESEARCH METHOD
From the literature review, it is evident that very little At some point, it served as both the commercial and
research has been conducted on sustainability political capital of Nigeria until 1991 when the
generally in Nigeria among professionals including capital territory was moved to Abuja. The sprawling
the builders, planners, developers and other real metropolis occupies ‘a primate’ position in terms of
estate practitioners. The study population comprised concentration of industrial and commercial activities;
of construction practitioners. Research instrument concentration of financial institutions, largest and
used is the questionnaire designed to elicit most patronized sea port, airport and capital market;
information on respondents’ views on issues such as the highest concentration of professional offices,
the knowledge/awareness rate; the nature of projects among others. On account of its prominence as the
executed; the perception and interest rate; foremost property market in Nigeria, it is estimated
incorporation/application of sustainability concept in that about 60% of building professionals and
the past and current projects; instruments to improve developers practice their trade in the city.
the knowledge of sustainable construction;
implementation and the present status of the subject The latest directory of the Nigerian Institute of
matter in Nigeria amongst others. Sampling design building (2005) showed that approximately 70% of
was geared towards obtaining a truly representative registered firms of construction companies have their
view from respondents drawn from the construction head offices or at least a branch office in Lagos. This
industry. suggests that a large proportion of both provider and
the end users of buildings services are residents in the
A total of 120 construction practitioners (The study area. The state commands 65% of Nigeria’s
builders, Civil Engineers, Architect, Planners, Estate commercial activities, 60% of national industrial
Surveyors and Valuers) were distributed in all out of investment and foreign trade, 40% of manufacturing
which 65 were duly completed and returned for value added, 48% of building and construction
analysis. This represents 54% return rate. The data activities, and 55% of wholesale and retail trade. The
gathered were analysed quantitatively. The averaging metropolis’ current population is estimated at 17
statistical analysis was also used to calculate million which confer on it the status of a mega city
straightforward totals, percentages and averages. and is projected to be the third largest city in the
Qualitative techniques were applied to make sense of world by the year 2015 (Lagos State Government)
meanings. Contextualizing strategy was used to
correct statements, opinion and comments to provide DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSIONS
a coherent picture. Personal Data of Respondents
In the first part of the questionnaire, questions
It is pertinent to mention here that results of the relating to the personal data of respondents were
similar survey conducted in Malaysia in 2009 by obtained. Results are summarized in table 1. There
Nazirah in 2009 were not presented in table format. were more male respondents than females at 81.5%
Results were however analysed in pictorial form and and 18.5% respectively. A larger percentage of the
presented qualitatively. For this paper, the author has respondents (44.6%) have a first degree, 23.1% are
decided to present the Nigeria situation in tables and HND holders and 6.2% each are OND holders and
made use of charts/graphs in the comparison analysis PGD. In addition, 13.8% have obtained Masters’
between the two countries. The rationale for degree; while PhD holders accounted for 1.5%. An
comparing Nigeria with Malaysia despite continental appreciable proportion of the respondents (49.2%)
difference is that they are both developing nations are member of Nigerian Institute of Building, while
even though the latter is stronger than the former in 51.8% are members of one professional body or the
terms of economy and technological advancement. other in the construction industry. Most of the
Nigeria is also three and five times higher than respondents have been in their present employment
Malaysia in land size and population respectively for between 15 to 19 years. (Please see Table 1
(Babalola and Iyagba, 2012) and awareness level of below)
sustainable construction in the later is moderate and
the former requires to move to this level in her quest
to attaining full sustainable construction status.

STUDY AREA
Lagos-Previously the capital city of Nigeria boasts
about the most urban property market in Nigeria. It
remains the nation’s commercial capital with over

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Table 1: Personal Data of Respondents rate their knowledge on this subject matter based on
Frequency Percentage their understanding on this subject. From number 1a
Gender
Male 53 12 below, most of the respondents considered
Female 12 18.5 themselves to have low knowledge of sustainability
concept. This is however not the case in Malaysia
Academic Qualifications where a good number of respondents have moderate
OND 4 6.2
HND 15 23.1 or good knowledge of the subject (Nazirah, 2009).
B.Sc 29 44.6 (See fig 1b also).
PGD 4 6.2
M.Sc 9 13.8 Table 3: Interest, Perception, Applicability and Issues
MBA 3 4.6
Ph.D 1 1.5 of Sustainable Construction
Interest in sustainable construction no %
Professional Qualification VeryInterested 42 64.6
MNIOB 32 49.2 Slightly Interested 18 27.7
COREN 3 4.6
MNIA 7 4.8 Not Interested 2 3.1
MURP 9 13.8 Others 3 4.6
NIESV 14 21.5
Longevity in the Present Sustainability Perception
Employment
Well Accepted 6 9.2
<1Year 3 4.6 Doubtful of
1-3yrs 6 9.2 Implementation Capabilities 44 67.7
4-6yrs 13 20.0 Not properly defined
7-9yrs 19 29.2
Above 10yrs 24 36.9 and structured 9 13.8
Source: Field Survey 2012 Others 6 9.2

Table 2: Nature and Number of Project Executed, Issues that matches understanding of the concept
Project Cost cum Sustainability Effective protection
Awareness Level of the environment 48 73.8
Nature of Project Development Effective environment planning,
Residential Properties 41 63.1 management & control 9 13.8
Commercial Properties 10 15.4 Prudent Use of
Industrial Properties 7 10.8
Others 7 10.8 Natural Resources 2 3.1
Number of project Executed Enhancement of quality of life
1-5 14 21.5 And Customer’s satisfaction 2 3.1
6-10 12 18.5 Social Progress 4 6.2
11-15 12 18.5
16-20 10 15.4 Source: Field Survey 2012
Above 20 17 26.15
Project Costs It is interesting to know that despite the level low
1-5M 5 7.7 level of knowledge as observed in the analysis above,
6-10M 13 20.0
11-15M 14 21.5 most respondents display strong affinity and interest
16-20M 22 33.8 for sustainable construction with almost two-third
Above 20M 11 16.9 confirming this. Although the same sets of
Sustainability Awareness Level respondents also believe that its implementation may
Very poor 5 7.7
Low 36 55.4 be doubtful while very few lack confident in its
Moderate 10 15.4 structure and workability.
Good 8 12.3
Excellent 6 9.2 To examine further what the respondents understand
Source: Field Survey 2012 about the concept of sustainable construction, they
were asked to select issues that match their
Data from table 2 shows that majority of the project understanding about the concept of sustainable
executed were residential properties (63.1%). This is construction. The result is similar to what was
followed by commercial property with 15.4% while obtained in Malaysia as reported by Nazirah in 2009.
both industrial and other property type were at par Issues that are related to environmental aspect of
with 10.8% apiece. All these were further confirmed sustainability also received highest percentage
with the total number of projects executed so far (73.8%). From this result, it is deduced that the
being more than 20 with the project cost within the majority of the respondent understand that
range of 5 to more than 20Million Naira. sustainability is about protecting the environment but
many are still unaware that sustainability is also
To articulate the level of knowledge among Nigerian about balancing social and economy aspects of
construction practitioners/developers with regard to construction
sustainability concept, the respondents were asked to
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of Nigerian universities and other institutions of

Table 4: Improving Sustainability Knowledge and higher learning for all construction related courses.
Level of Implementation of sustainability practices Other factors as highlighted includes: Lack of
Improving Sustainability Knowledge Government intervention which may be in the area of
Written materials such as not promoting sustainable construction through
Journal proceedings, appropriate policies and incentives. Cost factor is
newspaper, website etc. 10 15.4 next to this as developers’ financial positions
Education and higher learning 40 61.6 determines whether or not the concept would be
Seminar and conferences 7 10.8 implemented as it may be perceived to increase their
In-house learning 8 12.3 budget.

Level of Implementation of sustainability Table 6: Stages that Construction Sustainability

practices should be considered and Its Current Status
Very poor 39 60.0 Stages of construction that sustainability should
Low 15 23.1 be considered
Moderate 5 7.7 Planning stage 47 72.3
Good 6 9.2 Design stage 12 18.5
Development stage 6 9.2
Both results on improving knowledge about
sustainable construction in Nigeria and its sustainable Planning stage has also been identified as the most
practices are at variance with that of Malaysia. crucial stage to incorporate this concept in other to be
Majority of the respondent rely on education and meaningful and impact positively on the overall goal
higher learning to improve their knowledge about of the project. It is the earliest and initiation period in
sustainable construction. This is however not the case which all other relevant factors and constraints are
in Malaysia where written materials (journals, expected to be discussed and analysed.
proceedings, newspapers, website) constitute the
medium in which knowledge of sustainable Current status of sustainability
construction are improved. Other sources of Embracing sustainability
knowledge are through seminar and conferences; in- wholeheartedly 9 13.8
house learning that is rated very low. It can be thus Starting to do so 21 32.3
infer that most individual/companies do not promote Inexperienced but
this concept within their organization due to the low interested 35 53.8
knowledge of the concept.
More than half of the respondents (53.8%) are
As depicted in the immediate table above, the level of interested in the concept of sustainability but lack the
implementation of sustainable practices is very poor required experience and expertise to practice it. Some
in Nigeria as against that of Malaysia that revealed a are beginning to put it into action while very few
moderate level. Although none of the respondents in confirmed embracing the concept wholeheartedly
both countries believed that the implementation of (13.8).
sustainable practices is excellent.
Table 7: Prospect of sustainable construction in the
Table 5: Factors responsible for the current next 5years
implementation level The prospect level would
Lack of enforcement 8 12.3 be very poor 2 3.1
Lack of Government intervention 12 18.5 The prospect level would
Education vs. Experience 31 47.7 be low 49 75.4
Cost factor 8 12.3 The prospect level would
Pointing fingers 3 4.6 be moderate 3 4.6
Passive culture 3 4.6 The prospect level would
be good 11 16.9
This result on factors responsible for the current level The prospect level would
of implementation further confirms the status of be excellent 0 0
construction practitioners on the reliability of
education and higher learning for sustainable The respondents were asked to express their views on
construction knowledge improvement in Nigeria. The the prospect of sustainable construction application in
levels of education and experience have been Nigeria in the next 5 years. From fig 5a above, it is
regarded as utmost factors responsible for the level of clear that the prospect would be low as 75.4% of the
implementation at the moment. This no doubt poses a respondents were of the opinion that not much will
challenge and opportunity for the academia in change. 4.6% however believed that there will be
introducing sustainability concept in the curriculum some levels of improvement such that the prospect

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):951-961 (ISSN:2141-7024)

level will be moderate while 16.9% of the the academician should play a more active role in
respondents perceived the prospect to be good. Just reaching to the construction players through
very few saw the prospect to be very poor and none collaboration and consultation works. Education
of the respondents could attribute excellent status to should not be limited to construction players only. As
the concept. the industry’s supply is closely influenced by the
demand for it, the education should be expanded to
The story is not the same with Malaysia as the the wider stakeholders, which include the potential
prospect level is moderate. About 17% apiece of the buyers as well. Raising buyers for sustainable houses
respondents believed that the prospect will be good for instance, will push the housing developers to
and low at the same time while a few people (3%) improve the specification of their houses which
think that future of sustainable construction is very include certain elements to attract buyers.
bleak. Government has a major role to play in encouraging
sustainable construction. Their support and incentives
From the submission above, the following reasons are will prompt interest among construction players. It is
seeing as responsible for the low opinions of the also recommended that a full length study on the
construction practitioners: weakness of present legislation implementation to
 The industry still lacks basic understanding of alleviate the problem of ‘lack of enforcement’ if at all
sustainable construction it is in existence.
 Lack of political will and awareness to
construct sustainably. As this subject is a new territory in Nigeria, there are
 Individual commitment is lacking many angles in which research can be extended.
 Lack of educational/institutional framework Knowledge on present application, weaknesses and
 Economic benefits of sustainability are not potentials can open avenues for further action
communicated towards performance improvement. Apart from that,
 Developers are not convinced of the value producing guidelines to highlight the aspects of
added nature of sustainability and the need for sustainability within construction process would be
them to prepare for additional cost useful to enable those aspects be managed effectively
 There is no bye-law or regulation by the and efficiently. Last but not the least, the challenges
government to enforce the concept to build sustainably needs to be critically analysed
and surmounted. Various techniques and tools
The evidence of several sustainable projects being existed that in the construction industry should be
built in Nigeria from literature review shows negative utilized to enhance the appreciation on sustainability
signs that the concept of sustainable construction is in construction process.
yet to settle within the industry. However the survey
revealed that the concept of sustainability has not CONCLUSION
been widely applied in many projects. This Construction works and its related activities can
strengthens the argument that the construction continue to impact negatively on built environment to
industry is still at its infancy in this field. The a large extent. The inability to return back the
findings indicated that generally, the respondents environment to its original state as result of
believed the level of knowledge on sustainability is construction and other urban activities calls for
below average. Perhaps, this perception derived from questioning and immediate actions. It was evident
the lack of implementation of this concept in the from the two countries that construction works are
construction industry. Other developers may have still being executed in conventional ways which do
good knowledge on sustainable concept, but because not take sustainability into consideration and are not
they did not put it in practice or incorporating it in environmentally friendly. The method is not able to
their projects, others will tend to believe that strike a balance between environmental, social and
knowledge is not apparent. Knowing but not economic considerations. The author of the related
practicing is another major problem in sustainable paper also supported this argument by concluding
concept implementation. that construction, management, use, change and
demolition of the built environment can damage the
A lot more efforts are necessary to enhance the level environment to a substantial extent. In the built
of environmental awareness and civic consciousness environment, resources are taken from the
among the people to build sustainably in the future. It environment and returned after use, usually in a
is recommended to improve the understanding and degraded state. It is unfortunate that Nigerians are yet
awareness on this concept and initiate action to to realize the pitfalls of building unsustainably and
enable this concept be applied efficiently in future the zeal to implement same is not there at the
construction projects. There are many ways to this moment. The advantages of the sustainability
such as educating the construction players through practices have not been firmly seized due to the slow
conferences, seminars, training, workshops etc. since permeation of this concept among the construction
this concept is viewed as academic pursuit, perhaps, practitioners both in Nigeria and Malaysia. Some of

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):951-961 (ISSN:2141-7024)

the factors highlighted above as responsible for its Carroll A.B and Shabana, K.M (2010) The Business
implementation should be taken very seriously and case for Corporate Social responsibility I A renew of
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It is believed that this study has contributed to the Dyllick, T. and Hockerts, K. (2002) Beyond the
body of knowledge in this area, specifically with business case for corporate sustainability, Business
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possible avenues that can be explored in future
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Gray, P.C.R. and Wiedemann, P.M. (1999) Risk
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