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Barriers To Green Building Strategies Implementation in Lagos Nigeria
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Green Bulding, Sustainability
Abstract
Despite growing awareness of sustainable design, the implementation of Green Building Design Strategies (GBDS) in Lagos remains constrained. This study investigates the key barriers hindering effective GBDS adoption in high-rise office projects and proposes a policy roadmap to strengthen sustainable architectural practice. A mixed-methods approach was adopted involving 344 architects and 12 expert interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII), while qualitative themes were developed through content analysis. Findings revealed that technological and cost-related barriers had the strongest influence on implementation outcomes. Low RII values for strategies such as smart building management (0.70) and greywater recycling reflected substantial technical and financial constraints. Regulatory weakness and limited client awareness further contributed to uneven adoption. The major barriers identified include: high capital cost of advanced systems; inadequate technical expertise; weak regulatory enforcement; low client demand; and insufficient policy support for sustainable construction. These barriers collectively explain the dominance of passive strategies over technological ones in Lagos? high-rise architecture. Interview evidence indicates that architects often avoid proposing complex GBDS due to concerns over maintenance feasibility and client resistance. The study proposes a three-tier policy roadmap focusing on: strengthening professional capacity; enhancing regulatory mechanisms; and introducing market and financial incentives. These measures could accelerate GBDS integration in Lagos and similar African cities. This research provides mixed-methods assessments of GBDS implementation barriers in Lagos using a large professional sample. The combined empirical and policy-oriented approach offers a robust framework for enhancing sustainable high-rise design practices in developing urban contexts.
Keywords
Architects, Green Building Design Strategies, High-rise designs, Implementation Barriers, Lagos
References
[1] Adebisi, B., Ojo, A., & Fadare, S. (2016). Construction sector development in Lagos: Opportunities and sustainability challenges. Journal of Construction in Developing Regions, 21(2), 45–59.
[2] Adeogun, M. G. (2023). Assessment of architects’ adoption of green smart design strategies in high-rise office buildings in Lagos, Nigeria. In Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure (pp.41–54). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22434-8_4
[3] Adeogun, M. G. (2024). Assessment of awareness and perception of green building by occupants in selected certified office buildings in Lagos, Nigeria. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/104661284/
[4] Adeogun, M. G. (2025). Assessment of Knowledge and Adoption of Green Building Design Strategies among Architects in Lagos, Nigeria (Doctoral thesis).
[5] Fisk, W. J. (2019). Indoor air quality and occupant health: Integrating design performance and sustainability. Building and Environment, 162, 106273.
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[8] Vine, D. (2021). Contextual variability in green building adoption: Implications for stakeholders. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 147(2), 04021001.
How to cite this paper
@article{1713040,
author = {Michael Gboyega Adeogun, Oluwole A. Alagbe, Adekunle O. Ogunnaike},
title = {Barriers To Green Building Strategies Implementation in Lagos Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {1677-1685},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1713040.pdf},
abstract = {Despite growing awareness of sustainable design, the implementation of Green Building Design Strategies (GBDS) in Lagos remains constrained. This study investigates the key barriers hindering effective GBDS adoption in high-rise office projects and proposes a policy roadmap to strengthen sustainable architectural practice. A mixed-methods approach was adopted involving 344 architects and 12 expert interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII), while qualitative themes were developed through content analysis. Findings revealed that technological and cost-related barriers had the strongest influence on implementation outcomes. Low RII values for strategies such as smart building management (0.70) and greywater recycling reflected substantial technical and financial constraints. Regulatory weakness and limited client awareness further contributed to uneven adoption. The major barriers identified include: high capital cost of advanced systems; inadequate technical expertise; weak regulatory enforcement; low client demand; and insufficient policy support for sustainable construction. These barriers collectively explain the dominance of passive strategies over technological ones in Lagos? high-rise architecture. Interview evidence indicates that architects often avoid proposing complex GBDS due to concerns over maintenance feasibility and client resistance. The study proposes a three-tier policy roadmap focusing on: strengthening professional capacity; enhancing regulatory mechanisms; and introducing market and financial incentives. These measures could accelerate GBDS integration in Lagos and similar African cities. This research provides mixed-methods assessments of GBDS implementation barriers in Lagos using a large professional sample. The combined empirical and policy-oriented approach offers a robust framework for enhancing sustainable high-rise design practices in developing urban contexts.},
keywords = {Architects, Green Building Design Strategies, High-rise designs, Implementation Barriers, Lagos},
month = {December},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1713040}
}