African Journal of Housing and Sustainable Development

Global Evidence of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Affordable Housing and Housing Supply: A Meta-Analysis

2024-09-24T15:48:29+00:00

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected various aspects of life and the majority of industries all over the world. While extant studies have reported the impact of the pandemic in various sectors and industries, the impact of the pandemic on global affordable housing and housing supply has not received sufficient attention. Therefore, this study provides a global comparative evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the twin issues of affordable housing and housing supply. Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate and Primo Search were used in conducting database searches for previous studies published within the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023). The framework of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was adopted in the systematic selection of 37 extant studies. Bibliometric, content and thematic analyses were conducted for the qualitative data analyses. Findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted various issues, viz: housing prices, demand and supply, socioeconomic gaps, housing construction activities, informal sector housing conditions, government housing policies, mortgage repayment defaults, multidimensional matters, increased digital nomads, and elderly housing supply. This study is unique in providing a systematic appraisal of extant studies to report the global implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on affordable housing and housing supply. Findings of the study are based on a systematic review of the literature. Indeed, the study offers a global perspective on the impact of the pandemic on the blighted affordable housing situation of different countries. Pertinent gaps in the existing literature and areas for further research were identified, alongside the recommendation of policy pathways for the future.

Perceptions of Public and Private Sector Stakeholders on the Benefits and Challenges of Public-Private-Partnerships in Nigeria

2024-09-24T15:48:29+00:00

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit has become acute because of the country’s burgeoning population. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, under labels such as Private-Finance Initiative (PFI) and Build Operate-Transfer (BOT), has been touted as the solution to the funding and other challenges confronting the country with regard to infrastructure development. This research sought to examine stakeholder experiences and perceptions on the benefits, abuse and challenges of deploying PPP for infrastructure procurement. The stakeholders investigated were in Lagos and Ogun States of Nigeria, although some of the experiences transcended the two states. Copies of the questionnaire were purposively administered to 115 professionals drawn from the built environment as well as from the legal and financial sectors of the Nigerian economy; the professionals were from the private and public sectors. Eighty-six (86) copies of the questionnaire were returned, with the data subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Ranking highest among the list of thirteen identified challenges investigated was ‘political interference outside the agreed rules of running the PPP framework’, while ‘inability to initiate or package PPP projects’ ranked least. The most significant form of abuse or disadvantage was ‘embezzling of public funds and reinvesting in PPP as private sector investor’, while the least significant form of abuse was determination of the concession period. The inferential statistical analyses found no significant difference between both sectors in the assessment factors except in the matter of ‘more careful approach in investing funds in infrastructure’. It is therefore recommended that there should be a continuous audit of stakeholder perceptions on various PPP issues that can form the baseline for impactful improvement and intervention in PPP projects.

Leveraging Technology to Improve and Streamline Operations in the African Construction Sector: A Case-Based Approach

2024-09-24T15:48:29+00:00

The advent of innovation in tools, materials and techniques has transformed the planning, management and execution of construction projects. Globally, the construction sector has been embracing digital technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce cost and ensure sustainability to overcome challenges and meet evolving demands in the industry. Using a case-based approach, this study shows instances from South Africa of how the construction process is being revolutionised through the deployment of cutting-edge technologies to improve and streamline operations. The approach provides an introductory background on how technology has affected construction with an extensive literature review providing clarifications and insights on construction activities, processes and key technological advancements, in addition to highlighting their importance. Findings from the cases revealed that the projects deployed one or more forms of project management software, such as RIB Software, Autodesk Revit, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Procore, and Aconex. It was further found that these deployments enhanced collaboration and communication, improved design coordination and clash detection, and enabled efficient resource allocation and project planning among stakeholders. The study concludes that construction activities play a key role in economic development. Sustainable construction practices would require the adoption and implementation of state-of-the-art technological solutions in the 4th Industrial Revolution that will aid the totality of construction management processes. As evidenced in the various projects, the effectiveness of construction management software in streamlining the construction process is a testament to the critical role of technological advancement as a driver of sustainability.

Gender Discrimination in the Rental Housing Market: Conceptual Ideas and Empirical Evidence from Lagos, Nigeria

2024-09-24T15:48:29+00:00

This study examines the complex issues surrounding gender discrimination in the rental housing market in Lagos, Nigeria. It investigates the reasons for gender preferences alongside the immediate reactions and responses of female tenants who experienced rental housing discrimination, which frequently manifests as higher rent demands, unfavourable lease terms and outright denial of housing, among others. The mixed methods study used instruments that were tested for reliability and validity, with copies of the questionnaire being served to real-estate practitioners and interviews conducted with female tenants to develop evidence-based policy recommendations for addressing gender discrimination and promoting equitable access to rental housing in Lagos State. Thus, the study makes an important contribution to the discourse of gender discrimination. Given the cultural roots of such discrimination, the study suggests the need for an awareness campaign targeting diverse actors within the housing market. The study noted that the Nigerian government has enacted laws to protect women's rights in housing, implementation remains a challenge. Therefore, promoting gender equality in housing requires the concerted efforts of government and the collective resistance of civil-society organisations and the private sector.

Robotic Technologies and Automation in Construction: A Systematic Review

2024-09-24T15:48:29+00:00

The global construction industry is experiencing a high rate of disruption arising from the deployment of emerging robotic technologies and process automation. This study investigates research trends in robotic technologies and automation in the construction industry. Using topic-specific keywords to organise and summarise pertinent studies, the study undertook a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of robotic technologies and automation in construction. A systematic search of the databases of Scopus, Web of Science, and Dimensions was conducted, with a total of 9,515 journal articles retrieved from them. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 51 research papers met the parameters for meta analysis and systematic review. Data relating to the research papers' demography and to robotic technologies as well as automation in construction were mined, with a quantitative meta-analysis performed on them. The results show a spread of research efforts across Europe, Asia and America, with an increase in research output between 2019 and 2023. The results further show that construction gantry systems, bricklaying robots and 3D concrete printers are the most studied robotic technologies and automation processes in the sector. The study concludes that there is still a paucity of research on robotic technologies and automation in construction. The study therefore recommends further research on robotic technologies and automation in construction, especially with regard to their appropriate application and deployment in construction projects across Africa.

Residents' Perception of Physical Planning Regulations in Three Secondary Cities in Nigeria (A Study of Osogbo, Ile-Ife, and Iwo)

2024-09-24T15:48:29+00:00

This paper assessed residents' perception of physical planning regulations with a focus on three major cities (Osogbo, Ile-Ife, and Iwo) in Osun State. Resident's perception was determined by level of awareness of physical planning regulations and experience with administrative practices in the enforcement of physical planning regulations in the study area. For data collection, each of the cities was stratified into three developmental zones, with satellite imageries of built-up areas in each city being subjected to Fishnet analysis in a GIS environment. An average of one house was randomly selected from 2 an area of 0.6 km . Thus, 108, 62 and 56 houses were selected in Osogbo, Ife and Iwo respectively and one resident was sampled in each of the selected houses to arrive at the sample size of 226 residents, to whom copies of the questionnaire were administered. Findings revealed that residents were not quite aware of physical planning regulations in each study area and that those with some knowledge of such regulations acquired it in the course of interacting with planning agencies. It was also found that administrative practices on the enforcement of physical planning regulations were not quite effective. Therefore, it is recommended that physical planning agencies should aim for more effectiveness in raising public awareness on physical planning regulations while improving their own administrative practices.