COURTYARD ENHANCES NATURAL VENTILATION AND DAYLIGHTING IN BUILDINGS IN NIGERIA

Nwifa, Le-emaK, Prof Imaah Ono Napoleon

Department of Architecture,  

Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port- Harcourt, Nigeria.

Email: Nwifakenneth01@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Building designs are aim at creating comfort for humans through various means either mechanical or natural. Thus ventilation of spaces is very important in building design and construction, ventilation can be achieved through artificial or natural means, either way is good but the most important thing is that every space within a building should be properly ventilated. One way of enhancing natural ventilation in buildings is through the incorporations of courtyards, it enhances air movement as it provides a microclimate within the building envelop and increases day lighting as well. This journal paper examines how courtyards enhance natural ventilation and day lighting in buildings. The method adopted for the research paper is the secondary methods of sources of information which includes review of existing literatures (papers) written by others, with emphasis on ventilation and day lighting. This paper is to encourage the incorporation of courtyard design in buildings as a means of enhancing ventilation and day lighting as to the reliance on mechanical means of using artificial cooling systems such as air conditioners which is not eco-friendly and it is more expensive and causes high energy consumption in buildings which is a major factor to   climate change.

Keywords: courtyards, ventilation, day-lighting, energy-consumption, therapeutic, micro-climate, eco-friendly and organic.

BUILDING MAINTAINIBILITY: CAUSES OF OBSOLESCENCE AND ITS POSSIBLE SOLUTION IN NIGERIA BUILDINGS

Barivole, Dumtan Innocent

Department of Architecture,

Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Rivers State University,

Npkolu, Oruworukwo Port Harcourt,

Email: dumtan.3@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Obsolescence according to oxford learner dictionary is defined as a state of becoming old fashioned, or no longer useful. Obsolescence has caused so many defaced building to be demolished or when it occurs, the aim of maintenance on building increases in order to enlongate its lifespan and prevents it from being defaced. If the root of obsolescence is being tackled by identifying the causes and proffering the right solution to it, the cost of maintenance will be reduced because the lifecycle of a building will be completed in it physical, economical and functional state. Minimizing obsolescence and extending longevity are therefore indispensable for maintaining the physical, economic and societal investments. The characteristics and symptoms of obsolescence are explored specifically to address how buildings can be diagnosed and when and to what extent is demolition an unavoidable consequence. This study therefore adopts a careful review of the root causes of obsolescence on our Nigerian buildings and how to reduce it occurrences. If the word obsolescence becomes obsolete, the demolition and replacement of building as a result of the structure being out dated or defaced will be a mirage.

Keywords: Obsolescence, Maintenance, Lifecycle, Building, Symptoms

AN APPRAISAL ON SAFETY MEASURES IN THE DESIGN OF REGIONAL SHOPPING MALLS IN

PORT HARCOURT

¹Anucha Douglas, ²Arch. B.P. Uchenna (Mnia)

Department of Architecture,

Rivers state university, Port Harcourt

anuchadouglas@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Shopping malls are very large buildings containing a lot of stores and restaurants, members of the general public and shop staff, usually with space outside for parking, These buildings must be planned to be safe and in the event of an emergency, allow for fast and safe evacuation from the building by all its occupants, In the design of the practical issues, safety is prerequisite for any shopping mall design, Violent crime and more specially armed robberies constitute a growing threat to shopping centers in terms of their vulnerability to such criminal acts. These violent crimes are becoming ever more organized and sophisticated. Shopping centers across Nigeria have stylishly become a target for these bandits. Due to the increasing number of armed robberies and violent crimes in the state, it points to a need for improvements to be made to the security measures that are in place at shopping centers. This study explored the risks and vulnerabilities at shopping centers that have led to the need for safety at shopping centers, in Port Harcourt; the study also evaluates the current physical protection systems that are in place at shopping centers across the city in order to assist with the reduction of shopping centre crimes and fires; recommendations were made for the implementation of effective security risk control measures at shopping centre’s across Nigeria and specifically the city of Port Harcourt. Self-administered questionnaire surveys were used to explore the phenomenon from the perspectives of both retail employees and customers. The data collected from the questionnaires, utilizing the non-experimental research design, were quantitatively analyzed. Based on the findings which show that both passive and active safety measures should be employed in shopping mall design from the study recommendations for the improvement of shopping centre security were formulated such as regular routine check of safety elements are paramount, building in compliance with National Building Code (NBC) and providing a simple evacuation plan in each floor of the building as along with recommendations for future research.

Key terms: Safety, security , design, shopping mall;  violent crimes; security measures; security risk control measures; retail employee; customer; retail, Building, armed robbery

UTILISATION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS PROCUREMENT MODEL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Usman Muhammad Danjuma, Alamu Bosede Florence and Kolawole Asimiyu Folaranmi

Department of Quantity Surveying,

The Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 55, Bida, Niger State.

Email: danjumausman12@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The utilization of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) procurement model for infrastructural development in Nigeria is being gradually embraced as a number of construction projects are being arranged through this model. This model is being applied more in countries like UK and China among others where drivers for the utilization of the system have been studied. Efforts at investigating critical factors for utilization of this procurement model have not received proper and adequate attention in Nigeria. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to identify the necessary factors for the utilisation of PPP procurement model in Nigeria and to assess the level of utilisation of PPP procurement model in Nigeria. Abuja was used as the study area because of its features as one of the metropolitan cities and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria where building and engineering construction activities are at its peak, coupled with its soaring population which makes the provision of public infrastructure paramount for the benefits of its growing population. Factors evaluated in the study were those perceived to be critical to the peculiarity of the Nigerian construction industry. Respondents were built environment professionals in government ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals, public and private institutions, financiers of PPP arrangements, contractors and stakeholders involved in PPP projects. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. It was concluded from the findings that, the necessary factors considered for the utilization of PPP procurement model in Nigeria are accelerated projects development, facilitated creative and innovative approaches as well as technology transfer to local enterprises. Furthermore, the level of ultilisation of PPP procurement model has 57.1% of the respondents not involved in PPP procurement model. This may not be unconnected to the fact that the PPP procurement model is yet to be fully embraced for all infrastructure development purposes in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and other relevant stakeholders should carry out sensitization campaign on the knowledge of the benefits of the model among professionals because PPP provides solutions such as finances, expertise and technological know-how to solving the problems encountered by the public sector in providing infrastructure.

THE IMPACT OF MILITARIZATION OF THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Fidelis A.E. Paki

Department of Political Science

Niger Delta University, P.M.B. 071, Wilberforce Island 560001, Nigeria

Email: paki_fae@yahoo.com;

ABSTRACT

The main thrust of this paper discussed the impact of militarization of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Niger is Delta famous for crude oil production, but it is crises prone which results to the region been highly militarized. The militarization of the Niger Delta have provided the situation whereby there is a high military presence in the region, which leads to occasional confrontation between the armed forces and other para-military units in the Niger Delta with organized militant movements and dissenting element in communities that are also interested in benefiting from the resources in the region. The paper relied on secondary sources of data collection method. The results of findings show that the militarization of the Niger Delta have considerably adverse impacts on national security and economic stability, formation of armed groups, public service delivery, oil companies and the international community. Therefore, the paper recommended that government should adopt measures that encourage peaceful resolution of conflict in order to de-militarize Niger Delta for enhanced economic and socio-political development of the region.

Keywords:Impact; Militarization; Niger Delta Region; Nigeria