Reducing the Threats of Environmental Factors to Buildings: A Case Study of Nsukka Urban in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of environmental factors on buildings have become a major issue in recent times as it causes worry and discomfort for building occupants. Some of the threats of environmental factors to buildings include: dust, smoke, acidic rain, flood, loss of life and properties, building failure and collapse. As a result of this, the cost of building construction and maintenance is increasing at an alarming rate and that is why this research aims to identify the ways of reducing the threats of environmental factors to buildings especially in Nsukka Urban area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The research aims at analyzing the threat of environmental factors to buildings, and proffer remedial measures to these effects.. The instrument used for the data collection was structured questionnaire and the target population consisted of groups of professionals who were architects, builders, quantity surveyors, engineers and some residents in Nsukka. Analysis of the data was done using the mean item scores. The study revealed that interface with the ecosystem, increase in various types of pollution and deforestation are major environmental threats to buildings. The study identified ways of reducing the threat of environmental factors to buildings some of which includes the use of energy-efficient and eco-friendly equipment for building construction, planting trees and shrubs as wind breakers near the houses and homes to reduce the speed of wind. The study recommends the need to adopt and implement sustainable construction practices as a way of reducing the environmental threats to buildings. This can be achieved if all the stakeholders are involved, especially the government, which plays a cardinal role in the formulation of regulations and policies that support sustainable construction practices. Keywords: Buildings, Environmental Factors, Threats of Environmental Factors and Nsukka Urban