The problem of shelter in developing countries is the shortage of affordable housing especially for the urban poor. This housing shortage exposes the citizens to live in inadequate housing conditions. This study presents evidence of the factors affecting the shortage and or provision of sustainable affordable housing in Cross River State, Nigeria. Primary data was collected from semi-structured interviews and unobtrusive observations. This data was then analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts and simple percentages). The study findings revealed that, many interviewees suggested that rural-urban migration 98% (n=48), and lack of planning, maintenance and management 90% (n=45) as the main factors leading to the shortage of affordable housing. The interviewees suggested that poor implementation of government housing policies 84% (n=42), difficulty in purchasing land 94% (n=47), the high cost of building materials 96% (n=48), and lack of finance and access to credit facilities 80% (n=40) were significant challenges hindering the provision of sustainable affordable housing. The study concludes that affordable housing shortage and or provision can be minimised and enhanced by encouraging building developments that are; flexible and smart with minimal usage of non-renewable energy, use of durable and locally available building materials that respond appropriately to environmental factors and forces, availability of housing for the target population and a switch to a more sustainable way of planning, design, construction and maintenance of buildings.

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The rate of housing project abandonment in Nigeria is alarming and increasing by the day. Housing projects are supposed to be beneficial to both the individuals and society at large as it depicts the level of a country’s development. But the incessant abandonment of these housing projects undoubtedly has some negative impact on the people, real property values, the construction industry and the built environment. This study aimed at reviewing the effects of housing project abandonment with the objective of identifying the causes in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States respectively. The study employed a combination of literature review site visitations, discussions with focal group (occupants and host of abandoned housing projects) and quantitative research approach using Linkert Scale structured questionnaires. The questionnaire were distributed to respondents mainly professionals in the building industry as well as users of abandoned housing project using purposive sampling method. The data collected was analyzed using Relative Importance Index (R.I.I). Findings reveal that 38 causes of project abandonment and 22 negative effects of abandonment of housing projects include defacing the aesthetics of the urban environment, visual defects on the environment/project site; distortions of the landscape/urban planning, structural failure of building, environmental pollution, increased health problems,  threat to lives/insecurity, and decreased economic activities among others. The study recommended availability of funds for project execution, proper costing and appropriate schedule of project duration, transparency in selection of competent and trusted contractors, involvement of stakeholders in project selection and approval, policy of continuity of project by successive administration.

In the quest to find solutions to the ever increasing housing shortages in Nigerian cities, developers, especially the low-income groups, embark on housing construction which in the eye of the government housing agency circumvent compliance to housing standards and are therefore illegal. This research evaluates factors affecting the implementation and compliance with housing standards for sustainable housing delivery in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The methodology employed was a qualitative research approach involving indepth interviews, physical observations and detailed, systematic and thorough review of literatures on the subject matter from published works of renowned authors. In addition, 20 housing units were selected using purposive sampling technique for detailed study; while respondents of 20 selected housing units used were also interviewed including housing professionals and personnel of housing agencies in the state using both random and expert sampling techniques. From these responses, other factors peculiar to Bayelsa State were outlined. Data collected were analyzed using content analysis. Findings listed factors such as administrative practices, uncertainty of standards, socioeconomic, demographic and socio-cultural factors. Recommendation is that these factors should be considered in developing housing standards for a given area and making the standards flexible in order to make compliance practicable and enforceable.

Using natural light in architectural spaces has been very beneficial in several ways including energy efficiency, cost control, health and wellbeing of users, and prevention of electricity dissipation and other negative effects of artificial lighting. Daylight in architecture satisfies both mental and physical human needs and reduces fossil energy consumption. This paper appraised the use of daylighting in sustainable housing development in developing countries and discussed the benefits of natural/daylight in housing designs, including the reasons for the sudden disapproval of daylighting in contemporary designs. The study employed a literature review technique, appraisal of case studies of selected daylight-driven buildings and personal observations. Findings revealed that building occupants now prefer daylight for both illumination and environmental stimulations because lack of daylight results in discomfort and stress and affects the psychological and physiological health of building occupants. The study concluded that architects in developing countries should embrace daylighting in their designs due to its numerous benefits in making them sustainable. The study recommended the inclusion of daylighting requirements in all architectural designs by planning authorities in developing countries.