Extent of incorporation of green features in office properties in Lagos, Nigeria
Smart and Sustainable Built Environment
ISSN: 2046-6099
Article publication date: 5 September 2016
Issue publication date: 5 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which green building features are evident in office properties in Lagos, Nigeria; and consequently determine the degree of compliance with green standards in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The study purposively sampled two (2) office properties from the management portfolio of 88 registered Estate firms in Lagos. Data were collected using physical observation on the properties and interview with two users purposively selected from each of the properties. The data were analysed with the use of frequency distribution, percentages and measures of green features availability index.
Findings
The result revealed a low extent of green features incorporation in existing office properties with the value of availability indices on most features falling below 2.5 on a five-point scale. Feature relating to material use and conservation is the most incorporated green feature (mean score of 2.62) while those relating to owner and occupant education were least in incorporation (mean score of 1.895).
Practical implications
From the findings, it is apparent that green retrofitting may be necessary in Nigeria due to the low extent of green practices in existing office properties. Also, reinforcement of existing government policies and increased sensitisation of stakeholders on impact of current building practices are pertinent to green building success in Nigeria.
Originality/value
Most existing studies of similar focus are based in the developed economies where stronger implementation framework exists for green building. Besides, they are mostly based on evaluation of green certified buildings using few criteria. This study differs in that it presents the existing building sustainability practices in a less pronounced green property market, with varying architectural styles using more robust criteria. Information provided is applicable in Nigeria and other emerging economies.
Keywords
Citation
Komolafe, M.O., Oyewole, M.O. and Kolawole, J.T. (2016), "Extent of incorporation of green features in office properties in Lagos, Nigeria", Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 232-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-08-2015-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited