Climate change is much discussed among professionals, academics, governments, local and international organisations. It is a phenomenon that is increasingly gaining attention because of its negative impacts on human, and natural environments and the economy. Human activities exacerbate climate change and this in turn impacts on livelihood and environment. Urban activities such as transportation and building (household) related activities increase atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases. Other activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emission include change of land use, removal of land cover, use of fertilizer, pollution of water bodies, deforestation, industrialization, urbanization and poor municipal waste management. However, it is quite unclear whether urban residents have adequate awareness and understanding of what the phenomenon entails and how their daily activities impact atmospheric greenhouse gases' concentration. To this end, questionnaires were distributed to 600 households selected from three local government areas in Lagos State. Data gathered were analysed and presented using tables, percentages, pie and multiple bar charts. Result of analysis indicate that although most urban residents indicate various level of awareness of occurrence, they are least aware of the contribution of household activities to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration and that professional property managers hardly sensitize occupants in this direction. The study concludes by suggesting ways to call the attention of urban residents to the impact of household activities on atmospheric greenhouse gases' concentration with a view to reducing emission from this sector in the future.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the long-memory behaviour of South African real estate investment trusts (SAREITs). Design/methodology/approach The study employs a battery of advanced techniques to examine the behaviour of returns of 29 SAREIT equities listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The authors analysed daily closing prices covering different periods up to 21 May 2016. The results provide support for long memory in majority of SAREIT returns. Findings The finding of negative fractional integration parameters provides evidence of anti-persistence in SAREIT returns. Practical implications It is recommended that the regulatory authorities adopt technologies that allow a more effective, faster means to disseminate information, and improve the electronic trading mechanism that facilitates quicker price adjustment to news entering the market. Originality/value The paper determines the fractional differencing (long-memory) parameter for SAREITs and adds value to the existing body of knowledge.

This paper explores the issues around urbanisation, neighbourhood degeneration and its effects on the living condition on the residents of Agege area of Lagos, Nigeria. This paper traces the historical background of the area, examines the meaning of neighbourhood degeneration and explores factors responsible for neighbourhood degeneration.The paper adopts quantitative data collection strategies of investigation, and compares these with past literature on the issue. From the survey of 120 households in the area, the study realized street hooliganism; destitution, bad roads and considerable inequality in the distribution of wealth as the greatest problems in the area. It concluded on the need for holistic approach by government to fast-track housing conditions improvement in the entire areas. Moreover, the redevelopment of the area needs to be community-led participatory planning where all stakeholders harness ideas that can be used to improve the present situation of the area.

PurposeThe endless and recurrent nature of community regeneration is of massive concern to any government due to the financial and human resources requested. Past research has suggested that by involving members of the community in the process of these regeneration activities, past mistakes can be alleviated and so people will feel better appreciated. However, members of the BME groups which make up to 12 per cent of the UK population are not participating optimally. This paper aims to look into the reasons for this lack of participation and make suggestions accordingly.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopted the triangulation method of research where interviews, literature review and questionnaires sources of data were all used. However, this paper presents only the results of the quantitative method. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed with 203 completed and returned using snowball method of distribution.FindingsWhat emerged from the analysis was that local councils and other regeneration service providers are better channelling more resources at the use of community representatives in areas where there is a dominance of ethnic minority groups.Social implicationsThis paper explores community regeneration and identifies the need for partnerships in the process of the delivery of regeneration to a community. It investigates the various levels of community engagement and participation, the cultural diversity of England and discusses the social exclusion situation of BMEs. The paper also discusses the results of a descriptive quantitative analysis of a questionnaire survey which studied BMEs and their experience of community regeneration, both in terms of their housing needs and also the challenges preventing them from effective community engagement.Originality/valuePractical suggestions are made to assist policy and decision makers in engaging members of the BME community more in regeneration.

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