Delivered by
Dr Olajumoke M. Akiode
Executive Director/CEO, Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development (CESD)
Outline
Sustainability- building & construction & infrastructure delivery
The construction industry & sustainable development
The need for Inclusion
Incorporating local resources and technology into the construction landscape
A look at the present and the future
Actionable agenda for construction professionals
Sustainability
Sustainable Infrastructure delivery promotes balanced integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions. That is, infrastructure delivery that:
Goes beyond promoting economic development, but also enhances quality of life for citizens, increases positive impacts (benefits), helps protect our vital natural resources and environment, and promotes a more effective and efficient use of financial resources.
it is not just about mitigating the present infrastructure deficiency in Nigeria.
increased competitiveness, local industry development, job creation and poverty reduction.
It ensures inclusion & enhances resilient and environmentally friendly infrastructure.
construction
By construction I mean all forms of construction work – buildings, roads, rails, ports and the manufacture of materials and products for construction, such as steel, cement, roofing sheets, aluminium frames and glass.
The construction industry is the bedrock of infrastructure delivery,
the construction professionals should champion sustainable development, should lead positive change.
Pathways to sustainable construction sector’
Professional practise and ethics- no to mediocrity, strive for excellence in all ramification;
Advocate for FOI domestication- it fosters local industry development
Inclusion
People-focused procurement method- PPPP
Employ designs, projects and materials that use both local natural and processed materials that offer the following:
energy generation and consumption efficiency,
renewable energy mix switch and adaptation,
water production, consumption and recycling/reuse efficiency,
resilience to climatic conditions like flood, excess heat, deforestation etc.
Way forward- social dimension
INCLUSION
This is about our diversity,
leaving no one behind,
about gender and social inclusion in the conception, design and implementation of construction
Home-grown technology
Environmentally friendly construction materials minimize the environmental impact and can insulate buildings, promote energy efficiency and reduce reliance on unsustainable resources
Materials such as- mud, bamboo, sheep’s wool, Straw bale, reclaimed wood.
Others include recycled steel, plant based polyurethane (mix of kelp, hemp &bamboo), precast concrete
Local technology are environmentally conscious, promote energy, waste and water use efficiency and mitigates environmental problems including climate risk induced conditions. They include-
Rainwater harvesting, surface runoff & water aquifer, recycled waste, biomass
Benefits
Benefits of inclusive, energy efficient, resilient and sustainable construction include-
Gender responsive construction & infrastructure delivery
reduction in air pollution,
improved and optimized indoor daylight lighting,
reduced pressure on the water table and water production,
reduced need to manage energy usage and heat.
Other benefits include job creation, improved productivity, and poverty alleviation.
Towards sustainable construction sector
Fostering the potential of the construction sector in Nigeria to achieve the SDGs requires-
intentional government commitment that begins with evidence-based policy formulation and implementation,
investment in research to promote education, awareness, innovative capacity building across the value chain
investment in cutting edge technology (both local & imported) and
sustainable financing tools
That is, it begins with deliberate policy informed actions such as- sustainable material choices (sourced locally);
environmentally conscious building design and urban planning measures;
adaptation and resilience plans;
clean energy transitions, and
construction (building) operations and renovation approaches
For instance, the global goal is to reduce average building energy intensity per unit of floor area by 30% of its current level, this can only be achieved in Nigeria and Africa by adopting the identified pathways
Our reality today
summary
Sustainable infrastructure delivery promotes balanced integration of social, economic and environmental dimensions.
Construction industry is the bedrock of infrastructure delivery and so her professionals should champion inclusive and sustainable policies and practices
This entails – incorporating inclusion into construction industry policy and practice
Adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable construction concepts, policies and practices
The adoption of local environmentally friendly construction materials and home grown technology.
