Sustainability and construction: a study of the transition to sustainable construction practices in Nigeria

Sustainability is one of the most important challenges of our time. In the 21st century, it has become a central issue for debate about development at local, national and international levels. The concept of sustainability is now seen as an integral part of policy reforms in many countries because of the potential for detrimental impacts of certain practices on the environment and society. Within the construction sector, there is a growing interest in the ethos of sustainable development. However, it is unclear if most countries in western Africa share the same inclination, owing to the particular development needs and the challenges that these countries face. This present research explores the extent to which the construction companies in Nigeria takes into account and apply sustainability principles in project management activity, with the view to developing a strategy for change to improve sustainability practices. The present research was conducted through case studies to increase our understanding of the current situation. Nine projects from three multinational construction companies were selected for study in four main geopolitical zones in Nigeria to ensure the diverse social-cultural and geographical ... (continues)