The extent to which green infrastructure contributes to the sustainability of the urban ecosystem is determined by several factors, including its availability in quantity and quality. However, in many urban areas in Nigeria, very little research has been done to deepen understanding of the quality of green infrastructure and its determinants. This research investigated the public perception of urban green infrastructure (UGI) quality and the factors that influenced this in four major towns in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria. A survey of 513 participants was conducted with the data analysed using descriptive and categorical regression analyses, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H Tests. The results revealed that many of the participants have regular contact with UGI mainly for enjoying nature and fresh air, and preferred trees and water features. It was also observed that 66% of the respondents felt that the quality of green infrastructure in their locations was generally good but relatively higher where they work or do business than where they live. Differences in perception of UGI quality were due to their level of education, town of location, and type of neighbourhood environment. The regression analysis revealed that the respondents’ level of education, age, and marital status had the most significant influence on their perception of UGI quality. This study implies that for a better understanding of the public perception of UGI quality and effective planning and provision of UGI the factors identified in this research should be given adequate consideration by urban planners and managers.

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Sedentary lifestyle is a major cause of several non-communicable killer diseases globally. However, there is limited understanding of how the design and planning of residential buildings can help in curbing sedentary lifestyle among urban population in the developing countries. This research investigated the spatial layout of residential buildings and its influence on sedentary lifestyle of the occupants in Enugu metropolis in southeast Nigeria. A questionnaire survey of 400 residents and evaluation of the active design features of the floor plans of their residential buildings were conducted in the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Duncan multiple comparison test, and thematic content analysis. The residential buildings were found to have the traditional house and western style house layouts. Although the results indicated that residents spent about 90% of the time at home on sedentary activity, those living in buildings with traditional house layout were found to spend the least time on sedentary activity compared to those in dwelling units with western style house layout pattern. The results of Duncan multiple comparison test revealed that residents in house layouts where the conveniences are separated from the sleeping place or lounge, spent significantly lower time on sedentary activity such as sitting, while the reverse was the case for light activity like standing. The findings of this research are instructive in revealing that when it comes to active design, the traditional house layout pattern appears to have advantage over the modern or western style. It is therefore recommended that to achieve residential design that promotes physical activity among occupants, architects and other professionals involved in housing development should consider the adoption of the traditional layout concept in the design of future homes in the study area and beyond.

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PurposeThis research examines the association of physical development density, prevalence and types of microbes in colonized façade finishes of buildings in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachSurvey and experimental research designs were adopted. A total of 383 buildings were investigated with samples collected from those with colonized façade finishes. The microbes were identified using the standard procedure for genomic sequencing with descriptive statistics, and the chi-square test used to analyse the data.FindingsThe results revealed a 64% prevalence of microbial colonization and a significant association between this and physical development density with 71.0% of the colonized buildings located in high-density neighbourhoods of the metropolis. The sequencing also showed 24 different microbes with Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichoderma harzianum species being the most common in the colonized façade finishes.Practical implicationsThe research informs building professionals and owners of the specific microbes involved in the colonization of façade finishes of buildings in high-density urban areas. It also provides a clue about the nature of damages and defects associated with microbial colonization of building façades and the type of biocide additives required for the production of microbial-resistant façade finishes in the hot-humid tropical environment of Nigeria and beyond.Originality/valueThe study has shown that there is a significant relationship between the intensity of urban land use and microbial colonization of façade finishes of buildings. It also identified some new or less known microbes responsible for the biodeterioration of façade finishes and the effects this has on the buildings and public health in the hot-humid tropics of Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.