Essay: Preventive measures – building collapse

Artificially constructed structures by human beings need maintenance and repair to keep them in good working condition in order to render the services for the purpose of which they are constructed or intended for. Though the age of substructures and superstructures is estimated as 100 and 70 years in most of the concrete structures available today, but in most cases it depends on the proper upkeep and maintenance of the structure. It has been observed that a well-designed and carefully executed structure failed much earlier than the intended age due to improper upkeep and maintenance.
Over the years man has accorded priority to his built environment and physical structures as it concern his continuous existence and survival. Nevertheless, maintenance of existing building structures in a standard live able condition and initiation of new one to safety completion still pose significant challenge (Olagunju 2011). Man built environment can either be temporary or permanent edifices and requires a well layout design and planned measures, well-articulated construction method and process, including a clearly defined intermediate maintenance schedule. This enables the attainment of desired satisfaction, safety, comfort, and safety.
This factor of satisfaction, comfort and safety comes under scrutiny when the structure failed or is unable to carry out its main functions of safety of occupant, and stability of the structures itself (Olagunju 2011).
Adesanya (2002) argues that the occurrence of building and structure failure and the ante dent human causality involved, has become alarming and worrisome. A visit to most scenes of failed building structures, the urgency of the issues at stake can be observed. Various preventable and unpreventable factors can be adduced for different cases of building failure and collapse. Adesanya exclaimed that, most factors responsible for this failed building are preventable and asked “Why must a preventable incidence continue to traumatize us over the years”. Incidence such as building failure and collapse have led to question been asked on the effectiveness and efficacy of adopted building method, building professional competency and regulatory policies.
The menace cause has been considered an affront on the capacity and skill proficiency on various country’s construction bodies and societies. This construction bodies includes Architectural institutes and bodies, building and structural engineers’ bodies and institutes, surveyors, urban planner and analyst. These professionals mentioned are considered to be responsible for designing and monitoring construction works (Adesanya, (2002)
Building failure and collapse also arise from other non-professional input as stated by Adenuga (2012) when he noted that owner of buildings building (client) can also contribute to such disaster. This take place through supply or purchase of low standard material, poor funding, lack of involvement of professionals or ignoring professional input and advices, and employing poor craft men. This could occur both at the design concept stages, construction stage, or post construction stages. Clients have also been observed to jettison approved plans in favor of self-opinion and wish. Other scholars such as Tanko, Ilesanmi, Balla (2013) in Building Failure causes in Nigeria and mitigating role by engineering regulation and monitoring article, Kingsley (2010) in incessant of building collapse in Nigeria article, ojo and ijatuyi (2014) in defective construction in residential buildings: a study of sunshine gardens, attributed building failure to inefficiency on part of the regulatory bodies. It has becomes a reoccurring event for regulatory authorities to show negligence in enforcing total compliance with building approved plans. Other factors as noted by Ayedun, Durodola and Akinjare (2012) include non-involvement of building professional required for various stages of construction and plan implementation and attempt by building owner to save cost thereby compromising standard.
The unabated trend in building failure and collapse can therefore be considered a multifaceted problem requiring a dynamic and pragmatic approach in solving it. In finding the remote causes of this building failure and how best to remedy the problem, the various professional and non-professional involved in the construction industry has held various conferences such as function of urban infrastructure in national development (1997), land administration and infrastructure management for urban development (2004). Other stakeholders in the built industry have also rally around in other to find and curb the incessant cases of collapse and building failure. During this course, various causal factors have been identified and solutions suggested for them. Different countries have also adopted and proffer numerous legislative framework and policy to haunt the trend.
Preventive measures to building collapse are activities carried out or work done prior to avoiding the development of building collapse. This operation includes thorough inspection, planning the programme of preventive measures and its execution. It depends upon the condition, use and specifications of the building structure. It is also worthy of note that there are various differing/similar preventive measures to building collapse that are applied in different countries across the globe. Generally, preventive measures to structural collapse in buildings are the employment of duty holders to monitor structural members under their supervision and control in order to ensure that the general public is not at risk from the event of structural collapse.
2.8.1. PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF BUILDING COLLAPSE IN ASIA
75percent of mortality in building collapse by flooding is prevalent in three Asian countries which are Bangladesh, China and India. The majority of causes of building collapse in Asian countries are due to natural hazards and extreme events such as tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones etc., which usually do lead to catastrophic loss of life and property, therefore priority actions have been developed in order to ameliorate the effects of earthquakes over immediate, short-term, and long-term scenarios. In order to prevent the effects of building collapse due to earthquakes what needs to be done in order to save countless loss of lives and property is to adopt the use of simple, cost effective plan like the Istanbul Seismic Retrofitting Program (ISMEP) which are remarkably effective. From the use of these programs public buildings such as hospitals and schools are made safe from collapse due to earthquake but whereas adequate renovation should be carried out as well from the minor damage caused. In Singapore, there was an occurrence of the collapse of the Hotel New World, it was thereafter investigated that the main cause of failure of the building was due to the poor structural design which was unsuitable for the use in the building; it was inherent that due to this reason collapse was eventually imminent. The aftermath of this building collapse in Singapore lead to the rapid improvement in the building codes and standards throughout Singapore with the thorough implementation of engineering ethics. This massive intervention was made due to the fear of much taller structures falling under the same risks (Seng, 2011). It was investigated that progressive collapse which occurred due to the poor design of the structural members whereby local failure spreads throughout the structural elements, thereby resulting eventually in the collapse of the entire structure could be prevented by proper designing and detailing of the building with redundancy, ductility and continuity in order to have an alternative structural load path when the loss of a member is imminent. Other preventive measures that were adopted after the aftermath of this collapse where proper quality control by the building authority. Another preventive measure was that all structural plans and calculations of a building prepared by a professional engineer for submission to the appropriate building control agency should be checked by another professional engineer. Additionally, the Building Authority where authorized by legislation to refuse building plans that was not appropriate and thorough inspection of structural designs. The construction stage of building projects were not also left out as the government forced the owners and the engineers to conduct spot checks and material testing on the site for piles and other structural members and materials. In Japan, preventive measures to building collapse due to earthquakes were due to the embodiment of extra steel bracings, giant rubber pads and hydraulic absorbers hidden inside the skeleton of high rise towers. Retrofitting older and vulnerable structures are also carried out. Advanced devices such as energy dissipation units and isolation pads are used to dampen the ground’s shaking during outfitting of new buildings.
DDM (2014) School buildings in Asia preventive measures to collapse are for every newschool to be a safe school. This is of low cost when implemented consciously and actively during design and construction of each school.
Uniform building codes are provided in order to ensure a higher standard for the performance of school buildings than for other normal buildings. School buildings should be normally designed to be 1.5 x the strength of regular buildings as a preventive measure against collapse while engineered buildings can be designed and constructed for higher standards of performance — such as being able to be instantly occupied after a serious earthquake, to be used for shelter or for emergency operations. There is a need for clear and comprehensible site planning and building guidelines provided with support from relevant government authorities such as between ministries of education and a public works or construction standards authority as well as with local authorities and communal groups.
For earthquake and strong wind protection as prevalent in Asian countries it is important to note that all tall and heavy furnishings, bookshelves, cabinets and similar items that may topple and fall, must not obstruct exits, and should be relocated to a place where it will not hit anyone, or should be fastened to the building so that it moves with it, furthermore, water tanks, heating, ventilating and air cooling units should be secured to the building to prevent toppling, also hazardous materials in labs should be limited, isolated, eliminated or disconnected and stabilized, CPU device and other equipment should be secured to stable flat surface and equipment on wheels should be parked fastened to the structure, lastly, exterior hazards such as tall trees, utility poles, lightning rods may all pose dangers and extreme preventive measures should be adequately adopted (DDM ,2014).
2.8.2. PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF BUILDING COLLAPSE IN EUROPE
The majority of causes of building collapse in European countries such as France, Netherlands, igeri are majorly due to progressive collapse. McGuire (1974) discovered the problem of progressive collapse and measures for its prevention. Preventive measures where the need for progressive collapse criteria arises which were due to the frequency of occurrences of abnormal loading was said would increase in the future and, hence, progressive collapse is a serious problem in Europe and is due to the greater use at this time of innovative structural forms (Victoria, 2012).
Oluwatobi, Thang and Festus (2012) states that One of the preventive measures that is being employed in the prevention of building collapse is the provision of adequate building codes for the regulation of building construction and maintenance. In order for the code to be highly effective in preventing progressive collapse: the code should administer adequate information to the ways in which the risk of progressive collapse can be reduced to a tolerable level, while recognizing that limit of zero failure is an unattainable ideal; the code should not also penalize the types of constructions that have been found to be highly resistant to progressive collapse; this codes should serve as guidelines to engineers of the possibility of abnormal loading and of their responsibilities to look above the provision of resistance to normal loads alone (Victoria, 2012).
In order to obtain effective preventive measures, analytical approaches such as the specific local resistance and alternate path method was used as the primary preventive measures for resistance to progressive collapse in France. It has been recommended that the good general structural integrity is the measure that should be adopted towards the prevention of building collapse in Europe. Festus et al (2012) points outs the five majors steps in the response to curb building collapse in Europe, which are adequate inquest for firsthand information’s, analysis of structural, architectural and all other important documents, building modeling and analysis for determination of failure cause, decision and required mediations and importantly the geotechnical investigations.
Abnormal loads that are of high probability of occurrence should be specified and put into considered explicitly to avoid progressive collapse. A procedure that includes inspection of general structural integrity for typical design loads has been discovered as the beginning step towards having a structurally sound building (Burnett 1975).
In the construction of these buildings, there are procedure to be employed in order to ensure that the structural design process, highlighting structural safety, loading, response and performance criteria in the context of abnormal loading and collapse. A comprehensive classification system for all forms of loading that may affect a finished building has been developed as a part of the loading analyses under the European countries structural design process in order to ensure that all loadings are catered for in the design of these building structures (Burnett 1975).
Victoria (2012) various regulatory provisions concerning abnormal loading must satisfy criteria related to structural performance as well as economic, political, and procedural concepts of the building. It is also necessary for the regulatory agency to give consideration to the classes or sub-classes of buildings, such as low-rise, commercial, high-rise, multi-unit residential, etc., and also to individual components and structural systems. The decision to incorporate precise abnormal loading in the design process is prudent to be a very crucial one, therefore it requires great care which must be made by the regulatory agency.
There are various ways that can be used to control the severity and the frequency of the relevant abnormal loading that might cause progressive collapse such as by eliminating the cause of the abnormal loading on the structure (e.g., by avoiding the use of gas service system), by reducing the adverse effect of the abnormal loading by other devices and non-structural features such as shock absorbers, vents, etc., or by protecting the structure of the building (e.g., by enclosing a gas line within specially designed ducts), or also by influencing the behavior of the whole building structure and its various elements in order to accommodate some form of abnormal loading which does not need to be quantified. This involves specifying structural design criteria for design to resist specific minimum tie forces at various locations within the building (horizontal and vertical), also to preserve continuity of resistance within the certain important elements of the building structure, furthermore to use returns on isolated vertical walls and distribute vertical cores such as lift walls throughout the building, and to choose the type and location of all building elements and components of the building to foster the overall structural integrity of the whole building. In the design of certain structural systems there are greater risks of progressive collapse in big panel and bearing wall structures as compared to cast-insitu concrete structures, which has been due to the use of brittle materials and the lack of continuity and ductility in the structure as a whole, preventive measures such as guidance to the structural elements should be provided to structural designers with regard to the appropriate factors of safety for loadings to be used in the structural analysis of the potential for progressive collapse. A good method for this guidance is for the structural floor systems to be designed in order to ensure the effective membrane or probable catenary action upon loss of an intermediate support so that a member, once damaged, would be able to carry its own load. This can be achieved by developing proper tie forces and ensuring that the bottom reinforcement is as effective as the tension reinforcement. There should also be the provision of some adequate horizontal, vertical, and peripheral ties between all the structural elements in order to develop improved structural integrity which is perhaps the most important measure to reduce the risk of progressive collapse (Victoria, 2012).
2.8.3. PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF BUILDING COLLAPSE IN SOUTH/NORTH AMERICA
Building collapse in the North and South American continent is majorly due to natural disaster mainly by strong wind and tidal wave effects. This has majorly been caused due to hurricanes and storms that are highly prevalent in countries like Cuba, United States of America and other North and South American countries along the coastline. In these countries, there has been partial or full building collapse of building structures due to the fact that high-wind performance of building envelopes have been poor, it is also worthy of note that this inadequate performance has been observed due to inadequate design attention. An important preventive measure is to provide designers with information, resources and guidance so that they will be more capable of designing wind-resistant and wind-driven and water-resistant envelopes because most building damage occur due to the fact that various building elements have limited wind resistance due to the inadequate design, application, material deterioration, or roof system abuse (Tom, 2010)..
2.9. Impact of building collapse on sustainable development
Sustainable development has emerged as a standard for harmonizing environmental, social and economic goals (Annika and Ricardo 2014). Which further incorporate the stipulation of safe and affordable homes, Annika argues that Sustainable development creates an outline within which the suitable arrangement of consumption and preservation can be sought. Shield (2001) considered this as a concept of needs, an idea of limitations, a future oriented paradigm and a dynamic process of change. A set of essential standards underlie basically all the definitions of sustainable development. Ndukwe (2006) argues that a sustainable city hosts a society, which is deduce by a set of socio-economic and environmental Buildings indicators that meet satisfactory benchmark thresholds of sustainable development. Thus to accomplish high-performance, low-environmental-impact buildings, it is essential to assimilate sustainable regulations from the onset of any project Sev (2009). Five key elements of built environmental sustainability include the people, industrial base, resource base, natural environment, and the built environment. However Sev (2009) noted that sustainable construction can be distinguish according to the three elements of sustainable growth (environmental, social and economic) and must rely on three basic principles namely, resource management, life-cycle design, design for peoples dwelling.
Resource management implies the efficient use of energy, land and materials, water, and contributes for the reduction, reuse and recycling of natural resources that are utilized in building production. Tphani, Steve and Roy (2013) assert that Resource management administer definite design methods through the selection of durable materials that could enhance service durability of buildings components, thus reducing material consumption. Durable materials would likewise entail lesser maintenance, cut down operating budgets and ultimately reduce the potential for building failure. The life-cycle design of a building at the period pre-building, building and post-building phases seek to balance environmental concerns with common problems that usually influence decisions and choices made at the design phase (Eduardo 2007). During the pre-building stage, proper site selection assist in the determination of the degree of resource use and the disruption of existing and natural systems that will be required to support a development project (Dine 1996). The utilization of flexible and durable designs to assist future changes (cost-effectively and resource-efficiently), and the selection of sustainable component and products that meet characterized standards of compliance, contribute to sustainability. The sustainable design component of a building’s life-cycle affords significant opportunities for influencing project sustainability prior to construction operations begin on site (Vanegas 2003). During construction, proper planning and management of construction activities could be used to minimize site impact on the environment (Sev 2009).
Abimbola and Rotimi (2012) assert that human requirement for wellbeing, health, physiological ease, physiological comfort and productivity, must be equalized with the conveying ability of the natural and cultural environments by a sustainable construction development industry, in as much as more than 70% of human beings time are spent indoors. All building systems and equipment’s ought to be accredited in compliance to specified parameters. Poorly commissioned buildings have a substandard effect on the productivity of the buildings’ occupants (Adenubi&Windapo 2007).
2.10. Issues among professionals
Structural problems and building collapse are sometimes caused by skilled professionals. Onyemachi and Uji, (2005) observe that architects sometimes contribute to building collapse by not involving engineers at all stages of construction. Amadi et al (2012) states that currently in Nigeria, it is not uncommon to find architects undertaking the entire construction of building projects alone without the consultation of engineers. Structural engineers too sometimes carry out structural analysis without site inspection, possessing inadequate soil knowledge and geological formation of the site. Furthermore according to Adenuga (2012) Clients also contribute to building failure by erecting structures on unapproved land, adding extra floors on existing buildings without consulting the structural engineers, altering a structure’s purpose and lack of maintenance culture. Clients also cut corners by hiring unprofessional contractors, embarking on building projects without plans and delay in payment of workers. The skills of consultants in building construction should supplement those of the architect. Consultants should be hired directly by and responsible to the architect. Dimuna (2011) states that architect must coordinate and control all aspects of the design process. All building professionals must abide strictly to at least the minimum requirements of the codes that guide building construction in order to safe guard public health, welfare and safety. The primary responsibility of all building professionals is to ensure that buildings meet health and safety requirements; particularly those requirements related to structural, fire safety, and land use.
In this chapter, the researcher expatiated on Nigeria history, Nigerian built environment professionals, Nigerian building codes and other relative law existing in the built environment of Nigeria. The researcher analyzed the Nigeria planning laws and other section of the constitution that deals with built environment. In doing that, the researcher examined legislation and also accesses the impacts of some of the key built environment professionals. It further explained their professional regulating bodies, Nigeria laws and regulations related to the building industries.
3.1. History, geography, population, education and economy
The British colonial masters colonize Nigeria and made Nigeria a country by amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorate in 1914. Nigeria is a mixture of various ethic, social and semantic groups, ethnic, and semantic groups. Parts of the groups are, the Alafin Oyo Empire, the Benin kingdom, Nupe Empire, Jukun, Kanem-Bornu, and Hausa-Fulani Empire. These various sets of groups people as a group stand as kingdoms and emirates with customary recognized by the colonial master (British) and present government of Nigeria (Falola & Heaton, 2008). Nigeria as a republic is situated within the West African sub-region, in-between latitudes 4º16’ and 13º53’ north and longitudes 2º40’ and 14º41’ east. On her northern border is sighted the Niger republic, Chad republic located to the north-eastern border of Nigeria, Cameroon in the east, and Benin republic in the west as showed in figure below. On its southern front line is outermost edged by the (gulf of guinea) Atlantic Ocean. Nigeria constitute a total land mass of is 923,768 square kilometers.
The occurrence of diverse climatic conditions and topography, varying from uplands of 600 to 1,300 meters in the North Central and east highlands and lowlands lesser than 20 meters along the coaster regions is been experienced in Nigeria. Other geological characteristics of notes are the Chad Basin and Niger-Benue (Nigeria- Demographic and health study, 2008).
The last population census carried out in 2006, the Nigeria population was calculated to be 168,431,790 and the yearly development rate is estimated to be 3.2 percent. Nigeria has an average inhabitant’s density of 150 people per square kilometer according to the 2006 population estimates. Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia state are the high population density state in Nigeria.
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria and the constituent state (Source: Google map data, 2015).
The Nigerian educational policies administer the right of all children for a mandatory tuition free education at primary school level. This educational policy has enhance growth in the school enrolment and significant increase in educational institutions in public sector area. The nation introduce a national literacy scheme for adults within the country in order to create a broad scope of the national education policy, subsequently the creation of nomadic education to address the needs of offspring of migrant cattle herders and fishermen in the coastal communities. Agriculture has been the base of Nigeria’s economy, before to the discovery of crude oil. For many years Agriculture has been the basic priority source of income, development and foreign exchange for Nigeria, but over time, the nation engages in exportation of crude oil, agriculture lost its superior role in the economy in terms of the country’s foreign exchange incomes. Today Nigeria economic rely mainly on its crude oil exportation reserves, which constitute an account 99 percent of export incomes, 78% of government expenditures, and 40% percent of the GDP (2006).
3.2. Built Environment and building Professionals
Nigerian master plan has failed to work due to government insincerity, nonchalant attitude of planning authorities and institutional problem of physical planning (Bashorun & Ayeni, 2013). Master plan have been prepared for cities in Nigeria through land use Act of 1978 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria , 1990). For example, Urban and Regional planning Act of 1992, Urban Development Policy of 1992 and Housing and Urban Development Policy 2002. Basorun (2003) argues that Nigeria present passive planning, as a developing nation needs a proactive plan. Fundamentally, improper and uncoordinated data underlying the preparation of masters plans lead to it ineffectiveness (Bashorun and Ayeni 2013; Olujimi 2011; Olanrewaju 2004). Abayomi (2013) averred that for a planning strategy, citizen participation, integration of modern tools and change of professional’s mental attitude is needed.
Planning, Design and construction of a built environment includes various parties. Professional built environment bodies that serve the government have a great stake of obligation for an effective, safe and quality construction in the environment for the people. The professional, are not much in numbers compared to the population of the country, government need to be concern in order provide an effective and achievable law that can restore the quality of building industry. The regulations are essential to allow key player in built environment engage new trends in planning, designs and construction that are based on built environmental quality. Nwokoye (1983) quote “medical doctors can bury their mistake in grave but built environment professionals are forever damned by their mistake” (Nwokoye, 1983). The engagements of quacks or unqualified and unskilled workers; inadequate supervision by professionals; inadequacy and non-compliance of the existing building regulations; conversion and modification of buildings; egregious disobedience and not abiding to the town planning regulations; compromised attitude of town planning authority workers; lack of sanctions against erring professionals still gives Nigeria built environment a fundamental problem. Absence of co-ordination and cooperation between professional bodies and town planning authority has led to the state of built environment in Nigeria.
The professionals are also involve in this issue of poor quality of the Nigerian built environment out of unethical behavioral that is dangerous for the built environment, citizens put blames on government for majority of the unwanted disasters. Many of Nigerian professional moral philosophy or ethical ideology is reflective in their consequent behaviors. They do not follow the basic standards and principles of their profession (Ameh & Odusami, 2010). It is compulsory that the building professionals in Nigeria should not allowed the issue of political and socio- economic state of the country to jeopardize the ethical ideology of their professions
3.2.1. Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON)
Built environment of Nigerian buildings is substandard due to government and private investor’s initiatives planning and designs. Architects and planners have essential roles in designing and planning of building structures in the environments to improve quality of life. Quality of human habitat has to deal with architectural issue in attaining a humane and responsive environment (Olotuah & Ajenifujah, 2009). Architectural planning and design must be in such a way to enhance standard of human environment by providing a proper and organized planning. Therefore, Nigerian architects have a significant obligation to perform in face-lifting the quality of the built environment. Architecture forms an important part of the environment; architectural engagement should not be neglected in the designing process (Dimuna, 2011).
Buildings designed by an architect should fascinate the physical, economic, social, visual, cultural and psychological needs of people. Quality building industry in Nigeria is achievable, if Nigerian architects abide to the Nigerian building codes, they should become more conscious on using quality materials and avoid short cuts in the method of construction. For example, some building collapse have been reported as a caused of low quality and quantity of material used in the construction (Dimuna, 2011).
ARCON was formed about five decades ago by the Nigerian Decree No. 10 of the 1969 law under the Federal republic of Nigeria. The main aim of ARCON is to enhance the development quality of built environment and growth of the architectural profession in Nigeria. ARCON act (1969) states that an architect is a person qualified and educated to plan, design, and supervise buildings structures.
With the increase in housing demands and to avoid building collapse in the Nigeria built igeria ent, ARCON has meet up with its initial aim according to the decree where it was established. About 4000 architects has been given permission to practice under the ARCON registration board to engage in the Nigeria built environment which constitute of over 160 million people, (ARCON, 1969, 2015; Nigeria-World Bank Country Survey, 2013).
Roles of an architect cannot be de-emphasized in built environment. Bottleneck, bureaucracy, self-centeredness, discrimination among intending architects is attributed to fall shortage of registered architect’s representation to Nigeria teeming populace (Nigerian Institute Of Architects (NIA), 2014). Architectural design should reflect rendering of an accessible services for human occupancy and usage. Many problems can be traced with the built environment in Nigerian urban cities. The major problems includes both the architects and architectural regulating bodies (ARCON and Nigeria Institute of Architects [NIA]) in their design and ideal goal of survival. All these problems have resulted in haphazard development of the built environments, particularly on the cases of building collapse.
Effectiveness of Nigerian architects is subverted by the high level rate of quack involved in the construction industry. Government ignorance, high level of corruption and ARCON rigid requirements for intending architects is one of the factors for increase of quack practices in Nigeria built environment. Nigeria registered architects are confronted with stiff competitions form quacks, these leading to compromising of standard, just for the need of survival. Non professionals make any design without taking cognizance of underlying negative effect on the socio-cultural milieu. Architects is prone to such kind of designs, jettisoning the norm of an architectural work not to segregate or discriminate people (Sommer, 1969).
Necessity of architecture is by regularizing physical environment with a sequence of well-planned designs the provides quality building structures. The architectural design manipulates physical environment, it dominance of physical environment ought to enhance interaction and cooperation public space users. According to Dimuna (2011), architecture affects social, environmental, behavioral and economic pattern of society. Most of architectural solutions and practices alienate man from the environment, negating the fundamental principle of architecture to regulate relationship between man and his environment
3.3. Nigerian building codes and acts (NBC)
The igeria of National Building Code (2006) is regulating built environment and preserving environment (Anejo & Abdulhameed, 2008). It provides all standard protocol to erect any structure in the country. Some professionals and other stakeholders of built environment do not perform the process stated in the building code, leading to ineffective compliance (Snelling, 1997). National Building Code of 2006 is ascribable to inefficiency of other statutory provisional acts relating to physical environment (National building code (NBC), 2006). Federal environmental protection acts FEPA (1992) and environmental impact analysis EIA Act (1992) were predominating act of 1990’s seeing to issues related to environment. Lot of Nigeria built environment scholars have worked on national building Code (2006) by reviewing of current and inherent problems of Nigeria fragile built environment. The workability of National Building Code (2006) in restructuring Nigerian built environment is not contestable (Dahiru, Abdulazeez, & Abubakar, 2012).
These code are set out to reduce haphazard developing of built environment. According to Dahiru, Abdulazeez and Abubakar, (2012), national building code is to ensure quality, safety and effectiveness of built environment. It achievable through setting minimum standards on building pre-design, design, construction and post construction stages (Dahiru et al., 2012). Building codes reduces risks posed by lack of uniformity and curb deplorable condition of built environment (Ojambati 2001; Dahiru et al. 2012). Nigerian national building stock is characterized by decaying and dilapidated buildings which later led to building collapse, having negative effect on human activities as they are engaged within the spaces (Abiola & Makonjuola, 2005).
To reduce haphazard development an overview of national building code is expected and needed. Snelling (1997) argues that building regulations secure health, safety and convenience of people in building structures.
The international community used their national building codes and acts in achieving environmental quality which enhances human life quality and conveniences. If various factors hindering Nigeria national building code are not looked in, achieving an a standard and quality built environment will be difficult (Dahiru et al., 2012). There is need for a well-organized enforcement system free from corruption to enhance building code towards achieving standard built environment (Dahiru et al., 2012). The built environment stakeholder must unify their approaches.
3.4. Town planner’s laws, regulations and challenges
The physical planning laws faces various challenge at different area of regulations in the environment. Planning is concerned with attaining some specific objectives through evolving strategies and actions highlighted in a definite pattern. The effect could be on general populace in a town or district area (Olujimi, 2011). Town planning is to create a pleasant, safe and quality built environment for man. Planning transcends entire human endeavors within physical space where man lives and works in, it focuses on totality of the environment. Olujimi and Basorun (2002) argues that because of animosity surrounded with the term town planning, gave birth to the new terminology “physical planning” (Olujimi & Basorun, 2002).
Keebles (1969) posits that maximizing practicable degree of economy, convenience and quality structure could be achievable through town planning in process of ordering usage of land, erection of buildings and characters.
Adeniyi (1984) described physical planning as design, growth and management of physical environment in relation to preset and agreed policies for social and economic balances (Adeniyi, 1984). Adeniyi’s definition supports the planning law as a mean of providing standard building codes. Oyesiku (2002), see physical planning as spatial arrangement of land use such as residential, industrial, commercial recreation and open space, transportation, public infrastructure and any other human ancillary activities.
Physical planning is an crucial social service that entails all sphere of human activity, coordinating the role for harmonious built environment (Olujimi, 1993, 2011). Agbola (2001) says planning is process of preparing a decision for future (Agbola, 2001). Olajuyigbe and Rotawa (2011) averred planning as “art and science of organizing use of land for greater good of society” (Olajuyigbe & Rotowa, 2011). Ogu (2010) posits that planning affects efficiency of physical, economic and social development (Ogu, 2010). The researcher drawing from scholar definitions enlisted above can say that quality of any environment depends solely on planning and implantation of such plans on environment.
History shows that Nigerian has begun physical planning system before the colonization period. The planning system was referred to as traditional settlement planning (Modupe & Olujimi, 1989). Challenges encountered by Nigeria physical planning scheme dated since traditional settlement planning scheme to colonial town planning scheme. The challenges of town improvement ordinances of 1863 by Lord Lugard was giving of more physical planning attention to Government reserve areas (GRA’s). The afore-mentioned law was reviewed after five decades for an extension of physical planning to municipals and entire country in general (Township ordinace, 1917).
Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) ; Town planners registration council (TOPREC) . To date, TOPREC had registered about 2,333 town planner and 30 planning firm (TOPREC, 2011). The registered town planner are to cater for planning need of Nigeria built environment of a population of over 160million people. According to Olujimi (2011), emerging question is possibility of 2333 registered town planners to provide planning services needed by the population.
This assertion reflects on why Nigeria built environment is in disarray and state of chaotic. The dilemma faced with Nigeria physical planning is such that not every of the few registered town planners are practicing. Fasakin (2006) argues that with thisfew registered town planners “therefore is paucity of trained professionals to plan and organize the multitude of the cities” (Fasakin, 2006).
As a matter of fact there are lot of factors that have contributed to Nigerian built environment negatively (Omatsone & Dimuna, 2010). Population growth, rural-urban migration, economies activities are characteristics of Nigeria built environment (Alkali, 2005)
If the Nigeria building by-laws and regulations laws are being strictly adhere to, it will further improve quality of Nigeria built environment and perhaps, building structures could be safe for all her citizenry. Non-compliance with Nigeria building by-laws and regulations is one of essential factors responsible for Nigeria decaying built environment (Ahianba et al., 2008). The town planning rules and laws are being violated, which results to improper planning of the environment.
3.5. Overcrowding
Nigeria buildings are overcrowded because of increase in her population. Lagos, Ibadan, kano, Enugu, Benin city are Nigeria high density urban cities. The ratio of occupancy per room in urban spaces is as high as 1:6 or 1:10 which its effect could cause building collapse (Federal Offices of Statics, 2001). Overcrowding of Nigeria building causes environmental pollution, deteriorates professional and social services, destroys beaches, recreational facilities and parks, (Dubos, 1969). The overcrowding issues in the built environment is a crucial issue for government into looking at how building should be used to maintain its strength to that they will not end up to building collapse. Government scope is being limited to how to resolve overcrowding issue. United Nation (1975) believes that African lives in dwelling and interacts in a public space that is perilous and a cause of human indignity.
3.6. Unplanned development
Osuide (2004) assert that one of fundamental dignities, physical and mental health, is having a safe place to dwell (Osuide, 2004). Odomudu (1987) argue that functional building structure intensify wellbeing and aspiration of citizenry (Odomudu, 1987).
Dwelling place are where domestic and personal function of each individual takes places. Physical and mental health of a person depends on his or her environment. An individual and his or her home are centerpiece of society (Aihana et al., 2008). Achieving standard built environment, based on the present built environment predicament, Ahianba et al., (2008) suggest creation of aesthetics values, beautify urban environment, good landscaping and visual satisfying open spaces should be integrated into the design scheme of architects and city designers.