Mba Emeka J, Okeke Francis O, Igwe Ajuluchukwu E, Ozigbo Chinelo A, Oforji Peter I, Ozigbo Ikechukwu W
Department of Architecture, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
School of Engineering, Technology and Design, Canterbury Christ Church University, Kent, UK.
Heliyon. 2024 Oct 16;10(20):e39400. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39400. eCollection 2024 Oct 30.
Architects play a crucial role in shaping sustainable built environments that balance utility and aesthetics without compromising ecological integrity. Hence embracing sustainability remains an urgent imperative as construction activities expand to meet Nigeria's development needs. This research examines how architects in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria are assimilating principles of sustainability within their design practices against a transforming professional backdrop. The study utilized primary data targeting 126 registered architectural firms in the study area through a questionnaire survey and achieved 88.9 % response rate. Data were analyzed using JASP and Pearson product moment correlation. Results revealed high conceptual awareness of sustainability among architects, with 32.2 % consistently applying strategies like renewable energy systems in designs. Economic considerations and supportive regulations emerged as key assimilation motivators. However, uneven integration levels underline lingering barriers. While 40.6 % rated sustainability incorporation in education as very good, 13.5 % perceived it as moderate, indicating gaps in practical competencies. Statistical analysis (P-value = 0.001) showed a significant positive relationship between architects' awareness of sustainability concepts and their implementation of sustainable design practices. These findings highlight the need for strengthened educational programs, policy incentives, and industry collaborations to accelerate sustainable architecture adoption. Recommendations include updating curricula, mandating green ratings for public projects, incentivizing developers, and promoting interdisciplinary knowledge transfer. By addressing identified gaps, it implies that architects can lead the sustainability transition while meeting local built environment needs, ensuring a more climate-compatible and socially equitable habitat creation.
建筑师在塑造可持续建筑环境方面发挥着关键作用，这种环境在不损害生态完整性的前提下平衡了实用性和美学。因此，随着建筑活动的扩大以满足尼日利亚的发展需求，拥抱可持续发展仍然是一项紧迫的任务。本研究考察了尼日利亚埃努古市的建筑师如何在不断变化的专业背景下，将可持续发展原则融入其设计实践中。该研究通过问卷调查，以研究区域内126家注册建筑公司为主要数据目标，获得了88.9%的回复率。使用JASP和皮尔逊积差相关分析数据。结果显示，建筑师对可持续发展有较高的概念认知，32.2%的人在设计中始终如一地应用可再生能源系统等策略。经济考量和支持性法规成为关键的融入推动因素。然而，整合水平参差不齐凸显了持续存在的障碍。虽然40.6%的人认为可持续发展在教育中的融入非常好，但13.5%的人认为一般，这表明在实践能力方面存在差距。统计分析（P值=0.001）表明，建筑师对可持续发展概念的认知与他们实施可持续设计实践之间存在显著的正相关关系。这些发现凸显了加强教育项目、政策激励和行业合作以加速可持续建筑采用的必要性。建议包括更新课程、强制对公共项目进行绿色评级、激励开发商以及促进跨学科知识转移。通过解决已发现的差距，这意味着建筑师可以在满足当地建筑环境需求的同时引领可持续发展转型，确保创造一个更适应气候且社会公平的栖息地。
