Residents’ Awareness and Aspiration for Smart Building Features: The Case of Okota, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the level of awareness and aspiration of residents for smart building features in Lagos, Nigeria. This is with a view to determining the extent of residents’ level of familiarity and desire for smart homes in the country. Questionnaires were administered on 586 residents selected through systematic random sampling technique in the study area. Having identified the major streets in the study area, the first building along the major streets was selected randomly and every fifth building formed the subsequent unit of study. Data were analyzed with the use of frequency distribution, percentages, and measures of residents’ aspiration index. The results showed that the awareness of smart building technologies was just fair in the study area as almost half of the respondents (49.21%) were not aware of smart building features. The results also indicated that internet facility ranked highest as the medium of awareness for the residents who were aware of smart building features. It was revealed that the aspiration of the residents for smart features was above average (2.98 on a five-point scale). The results showed that the features mostly aspired were features relating to “security and safety” (CCTV, Intrusion detection system and fire detection and alarm), while those relating to building maintenance (Moisture and humidity sensor and building performance analytic devices) were the least category of smart features desired.

Assessing the level of awareness of smart building technologies (SBTs) in the developing countries

“…The key significant factors revealed by the study are in line with the findings of previous studies (e.g. Renaud and Van Billion, 2006;Mudgal et al, 2010;Renwick et al, 2013;Azmi et al, 2017ab;Ogunde et al, 2018;Rahim and Musa, 2018;Oyewole et al, 2019). The analysis on the significant interrelationship between the influencing factors and the level of awareness of SBTs derived two key factors namely; "training programs" and "individual knowledge", which popped out to be the key significant factors capable of influencing the SBTs awareness level.…”

“…In developing countries such as Nigeria, Ogunde et al (2018) assessed the integration of building automation systems in residential in Nigeria and discovered that there is lack of awareness of building automation system (which is an integral part of smart buildings); and therefore recommended that there should be an enlightenment and training of construction professionals on the importance of smart buildings. Oyewole et al (2019) then evaluated the awareness of smart building features and discovered that SBTs awareness is fair and almost half of the respondents were not aware of smart building features. In Ghana, Ahiabor (2019) claimed that there are clear opportunities to implement a smart building model, but for many organizations, deeper understanding of smart building technologies is needed.…”

“…In developing countries such as Nigeria, Ogunde et al (2018) assessed the integration of building automation systems in residential in Nigeria and discovered that there is lack of awareness of building automation system (which is an integral part of smart buildings); and, therefore, recommended that there should be an enlightenment and training of construction professionals on the importance of smart buildings. Oyewole et al (2019) then evaluated the awareness of smart building features and discovered that SBTs awareness is fair and…”

Assessment of construction professionals' awareness of the smart building concepts in the Nigerian construction industry

“…Several countries have keyed into this development with increased interest in its usage. The Nigerian construction industry's interest in smart buildings has risen dramatically because of technological improvement and the need for increased productivity, efficient energy management and good indoor air quality (Oyewole et al, 2019). Integrating smart building technologies into a construction process in the Nigerian construction industry is critical, especially in developing economies facing security issues in the country (Oyewole et al, 2019).…”

“…The Nigerian construction industry's interest in smart buildings has risen dramatically because of technological improvement and the need for increased productivity, efficient energy management and good indoor air quality (Oyewole et al, 2019). Integrating smart building technologies into a construction process in the Nigerian construction industry is critical, especially in developing economies facing security issues in the country (Oyewole et al, 2019). Smart building technology adoption is critical to addressing the significant problem associated with the low rate of productivity, delay in construction time, limited knowledge about the advancement of technology and environmental challenges that hamper development in developing countries (Adeosun and Oke, 2022;Indrawati and Amani, 2017;Oyewole et al, 2019).…”