Essay: Preventive measures of Building collapse in Europe

The majority of causes of building collapse in European countries such as France, Netherlands, 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) asserts that 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.
Donald, Gunjeet, Gumpert and Heger (n.d.) explains that 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. Donald et al (n.d.) further explains that’s 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. Drawing from Ferrara, Colombo, Negro and Toniolo (2004) 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. Ferrara et al (2004) further explains that 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. Victoria (2012) justifies that 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.
2.7.3. 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)..
2.8. 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).
2.9. Problems 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.
CHAPTER THREE – NIGERIA CONTEXT
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 major building professionals like, architecs, builders, urban planners, etc. It further explained indatails of duties of some major building 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. 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 boundary of the federal republic of Nigeria, Cameroon in the east, and Benin republic in the west as showed in figure 1 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
Land use planning play a crucial role to enhance sustainability in any nation, its importance is far beyond beauty of cities landscape, but it provide a safe settlement for human to dwell, the ignorance or abuse of proper landuse planning leads to settlemet in risk prone and harzardous environments, areas that are prone to disasters like flood and landslides etc ( Robin et al 2008 ). Nigerian master plan have failed to work due to government insincerity, nonchalant attitude of planning authorities and institutional problem of physical planning (Bashorun & Ayeni, 2013). Master plans have been prepared for cities in Nigeria through land use Act of 1978 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria , 1990). An example is the 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.
Ayuba et al (2012) asserts that Planning, Design and construction of a built environment includes various parties. Nigerian built environmental Professional 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 (Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA),2015). Nwokoye (1983) quote “medical doctors can bury their mistake in grave but built environment professionals are forever damned by their mistake” (Nwokoye, 1983, Pg3). Kingsley (2010) 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 among professional bodies and town planning authority has result to the state of built environment in Nigeria.
The professionals are also engage in this problem 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 do not meet quality standard 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 properly prepared 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 enviroment, 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).
Duty of an architect cannot be belittled within built environment. Bottleneck, bureaucracy, self-centeredness, discrimination among intending architects is traced to fall shortage of registered architect’s representation to Nigeria teeming populace ( Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA),2015) . Architectural design should reflect rendering of quality buildings for human occupancy and usage. Various problems can be traced with the built environment in Nigerian urban cities. The major problems include 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.
Performance of Nigerian architects is been vitiate by the high level rate of nonprofessionals 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. Nonprofessionals make any design without taking cognizance of underlying its negative effect (Sommer, 1969).
Necessity of architecture is by regularizing physical environment with a sequence of well-planned designs that provides quality building structures. The architectural design manipulates physical environment, it dominance of physical environment ought to enhance interaction and cooperation 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
3.2.2. Nigerian building codes and acts (NBC)
Regulating built environment and preserving environment is one of the essence of the National Building code (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 building codes are set out to curb substandard development within the built environment. According to Dahiru, Abdulazeez and Abubakar, (2012), national building code is to create quality, safety and effectiveness of built environment, setting quality standards on building at all construction stages (Dahiru et al., 2012). Building codes enhance reduction of 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 result to building collapse, having negative effect on human activities as they are engaged within the spaces (Abiola & Makonjuola, 2005).
An overview of national building code is expected and needed in order to reduce haphazard. Snelling (1997) argues that building codes and regulations secure health, wellbeing and comfort of occupant in building structures.
The national building codes and acts was implemented and was observed by stakeholder in international communities and these led into achieving environmental quality which enhances human life quality and conveniences in their communities. If various factors hindering Nigeria national building code are not looked in, achieving a standard and a standard built environment may not be attained (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.
3.2.3. Town planner’s laws, regulations and challenges
Some of the challenges faced by physical planning law and environmental regulations are in different aspects. Planning is concerned to obtain some particular targets through evolving strategies and actions highlighted in a definite pattern. The impact may be on general populace in a town or district area (Olujimi, 2011). Town planning is to establish an amible, safe and standard built environment for man. Planning transform 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) asserts that town planning in process of ordering usage of land, erection of buildings and other relative characters could achieve quality structure by maximizing economy
Adeniyi (1984) attributes one of the aims of physical planning is to provide acceptable policies that stay in line with economic balance with a view to enhance growth within the built environment. Adeniyi’s furthermore describe the planning law as a way of providing standard building codes and its control. Oyesiku (2002) relates physical planning as spatial arrangement of land use for man to perform its daily obligation such as residential, industrial, commercial buildings and open space, transportation, public infrastructure and any other human ancillary activities.
According to Agbola (2001) decisions for future are made through planning process. Planning is the “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.
History shows that Nigerian has begun physical planning as far as in the 1950s before the time of the British colonization. The traditional settlement planning was referred to the physical planning (Modupe & Olujimi, 1989). Issues experience by Nigeria physical planning scheme dated since traditional settlement planning scheme to colonial town planning scheme. The issues of town enhancement regulations of 1863 by Lord Lugard were giving of more physical planning attention to Government reserve areas (GRA’s). The afore-cited law was reconsidered after five decades for an extension of physical planning to adopt same regulations to the entire country (Township ordinace, 1917).
According to Olujimi (2011) the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), in alliance with Town planners registration council (TOPREC) can only account for about 2,333 registerd town planers, Olujimi futher explains that only about 30 registerd firms are also been recognized by the regulaory bodies, this data reflect that a low amount of qualified town planner are available to take care of planning issues within the built environment to provide for the need of over 160 million people .
3.2.4. Congestion within the built environment
The growth in population in Nigeria is the cause of building structure overcrowding. The major cities in Nigeria like Lagos, Ibadan, kano, Enugu, Benin city are Nigeria high density urban communities. The urban spaces is as high as 1:6 or 1:10 capacity of inhabitance per room which is overloading of live loads and its implications could
result to a of cause building collapse (Federal Offices of Statics, 2001).Dubos (1969) argues that Congestion of Nigeria building causes environmental contamination, deteriorates professional and social operation. The congestion issues in the built environment is a vital issue for government into looking at how building structures should be used to control its strength to that they will not result to building collapse. Government scope is being constrained to how to find solution to congestion issue. United Nation (1975) believes that African lives in dwelling and relates and communicates in a public space that is dangerous and a cause of human humiliation.
3.2.5. Haphazard development
Osuide (2004) assert that one of crucial quality, physical and mental health, is acquiring a conservative place to dwell. Odomudu (1987) argue that useful building structure enhance wellbeing and desire of citizenry.
Residence place are where domestic and individual function of each individual takes places. Physical and mental health of a man depends on his or her surronding. An individual and his or her home are highlight of society (Aihana et al., 2008). Achieving acceptable built environment, based on the present built environment predicament, Ahianba et al., (2008) suggest establishment of aesthetics values, beautify building structures, good landscaping and visual pleasant open spaces should be combined into the design plan of building professionals and city planners.
3.2.6. Standard of construction
Nigeria has experienced collapse in building and dilapidation of buildings due to several factors in the past. Ibrahim (2013) shows in his research that in an attempt to safe cost and maximize profit by some stakeholder and building professionals, they make use of unacceptable quality building material. application of unacceptable and cheap building material results to low quality of construction of buildings which has cause over 90% of buildings collapse occurrence in the country. Conclusively, majority of contractors involved in low quality construction work are aware of long term implication of their actions. This attitude proceed unabated because agencies responsible for implementing require construction standard are not enforcing required laws on them as expected (Ibrahim, 2013).
3.2.7. Built environment and housing policy approach by Nigerian government
Nigeria gorvenment is concern about the creation of standard building structures and so far some steps has been taken towards achieving this goal, in solving the issues of substandard housing and provisions of an quality living condition for her citizens. The aims of the Nigerian government towards the creation of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in 1977 was to help finance various real estate project in form of loan and credit facility with little interest rate on such loans, this idea was to curb the develpment of substandard structure that develop from the level of poverty among her citizens.
In 2007 during the administration former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) another initiative was carried out, which was the Lagos building monitoring Board that was created with the aims to clear the city of Lagos of some substandard structure and also to solve the problem of building collapse. The board was also establish to serve as a standard regulatory body to check and balance building project within the state and to ensure that standard building codes and protocols are observed.
In relations to the establishment of adeqaute standard housing for every citizens in Nigeria , the National housing policy takes a fundamental aspect in acheving that aim. The Nigeria National Housing Policy (NHP)was formulated in the year 2006. NHP (2006) attributes Housing as the procedure of administring functional abode within an ideal setting in a surronding that can enhance quality sustainable upkeep of the build up environment for man and his families to perform everyday living and activities (Fourchard, 2007). All these establishments are created in order to provide quality living standard for the people (Ibidun, 2009).
CHAPTER FOUR – RESEARCH DESIGN
4.0. Introduction
A research should adopt the best and appropriate design plan with very much characterized methodology, such methodology outlines the procedures for giving answer to the research question and examine the efficacy of the research theories and in addition to surveying the reason and impacts being accessed (Flick, 2006).
This part of research gives an overview of the methodology of the research. This is a scientific system of definite roles and process upon which pertinent information of the research work is based and against which claims, knowledge is evaluated. This chapter of this research work also analyzes the methodology and system embraced in the research design, information gathering, processing and investigation and also exposition and explanation of the result outcome and data findings
The research is a one-time research as it is confine to a single time period. Attention focuses on data collection and analysis. This research work focused on data collections in order to analyze the data received from relevant individual, and to see why buildings collapse is still at alarming states in Nigeria, and this was achieved by administered questionnaire in order to analyze some individual existing buildings structures within the state. The study area is Lagos, the economic capital of West Africa sub-region. The city was chosen since building collapse in Nigeria is considerably localized to the state.
4.1. Method
In achieving this, the methodology that was adopted in respect of this study was a quantitative research a method, the quantitative method was be employed by the researcher to get the required information and data. The researcher adopt the predominant survey techniques, which would be carried out to analyze deficiency in building structure and professional practice with in the building industry, the techniques would administer the use of a well-structured questionnaires.
The Quantitative research method was adopted to find out the underlying factors liable for the continues crisis of building collapse through in depth evaluation of the questionnaires given to respondents in some selected buildings within the area of study.
Survey was carried out by the use of questionnaires on some selected buildings structure within the area of study. The physical and functional conditions of the buildings will be used as the fundamental basic to analyse and investige their currents states.. This survey will provide useful data for government bodies, occupants, property owners and all relevant professionals in the building industry in other prevent any further negative course of action on the buildings.
In addition, the Quantitative research method is used to obtain and extract information and data from three set of groups, which are building occupants, property owners or investors and building professionals. The questionaires was conducted with the three sets of individuals mentioned above. The aims of collecting data from this sets of individuals varies, collecting data from building occupant is to analyze their perspective towards the building which they live in and perform their daily activities, the second set of individuals are the property owners and investors, this is to analyze their view of building construction method and analyzing their level of building maintenance, the third set of individuals are the group of building professionals namely architects, engineers, city designers, estate surveyors and quantity surveyors, with the aim of collecting information concerning construction works of new and existing structures within the state and their level of compliance with the building construction methods and code.
The questionnaires is structured to access information’s such as, building construction code and compliance with the planning law within the state, building deterioration, present condition of the buildings, design usability, maintenance level
of the building structures and history of the buildings and all other relevant information.
4.1.1. Primary Data
Primary data was be derived from survey technique, which involved a well- structured questionnaire. The questionnaire directly ask questions from the relevant group of individuals and their response where used for the analysis in order to determine the reasons for continues calamity and happening of building collapse in Nigeria.
4.1.2. Secondary Data
Secondary data to be used are including data from the government agencies, government ministries, local ministries, libraries, internet among others. Among these is the Lagos State Town and Physical Planning Authority of Lagos Mainland, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation. The secondary data would be extracted from the review of published and unpublished records by government officials and the administrative authorities at local, regional and national levels. Books, newspapers, and internet would also add to other sources of secondary data to be used for this study.
4.1.3. Variables
The variables to be used to distinguish such effect include losses on physical development, human development, soil texture and landscape structure, infrastructure and facilities, security, etc. This will classify the Buildings into two broad division of functionality and good physical shape. Functionality here shall be defined on the ability of the building to provide safety of the occupant such as provision of adequate structural members, proper building maintenance, building location. Physical shape of building shall deals with state of the building in relation to the building maintenance such as roof deterioration, wall deterioration and foundation conditions of the building.
4.2. Methodology
Using random sampling techniques, a sample size of 150 was employed using a well- structured questionnaire and was self-administered to the relevant respondents. The survey was conducted in Lagos mainland local government area and the key areas were twelve (10) residential district namely Surulere, Ijeshatedo, Ojuelegba, Bode Thomas, Aguda- Coker, OrileIganmu, Akerele, Sabo-Yabao, Itire- Ikate, Lawanson. Two (2) respondents would be given questionnaire from each of ten (5) houses selected on each districts, the two respondents will be building occupants and property owners or caretakers of the building, which will give a total of 240 sample sizes. Another 50 sample size using the same method above would be deployed to the third set of individuals, which are group of building professionals namely architects, engineers, city designers, estate surveyors and quantity surveyors etc. The research method highligths and evaluate various defect that could lead to building collapse in the study area. This evaluations determines the key areas where the problem arose from and give a clear understanding of the buildings current states.
4.2.1. Method of Data Analysis
The information collected from the questionnaires would be summarized in total and in desegrated form by the type of respondent, which are the three set of individuals for analyses and interpretation by the researcher. The methods of data analysis include the inferential and descriptive system of data analysis. Descriptive data analysis through pictures, plates, maps and diagram such as pie chart, histogram and inferential system through figures, tables from questionnaires carried out. The research work would be based descriptive data analysis on literature review and result gathered from primary data. The instruments to be used for the collections of basic data are questionnaires, field surveys, internet search, and extensive review on the topic sentence as concerned with the subject of the study.
CHAPTER FIVE – DISCCUSIONS AND FINDINGS
5.0 Introduction
This research adopted a survey method by using a questionnaire to source for relevant information concerning the proper building construction compliance, level involvement with building professionals by property owners and level of maintenance within the built environment in Lagos state.
The questionnaire was designed and administered to three (3) set of groups, with a sampling size of fifty people on each set of groups, which makes a total number of 150 questionnaires all together within the sampling area of Surulere, Ijeshatedo, Ojuelegba, Bode Thomas, Aguda- Coker, OrileIganmu, Akerele, Sabo-Yabao, Itire- Ikate, Lawanson. The questionnaire was divided into three parts namely A, B, C, in order to distinguish the three set of groups. The part A deals with the building professionals in order to evaluate their level of compliance with the standard procedure for building a structure with in the state, Part B deals with property owners in Lagos state ,this part is mainly designed to access their level of compliance with the government building construction regulation laws, and analyze the level of maintenance adapted for their buildings, lastly is the Part C this part was