Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Development in Africa's Changing Climate

Globally buildings consume about 40% of electric energy and the residential sector dominates tremendously. If climate change is not controlled urgently, global temperatures could rise up to 6 °C by the end of the century. Nonetheless, the Ghanaian residential sector is responsible for an end-use wastage of about 30%. Ensuring end-use efficiency in households is hence imperative considering the financial and environmental costs of generating electric energy. This study examined the state of end-use wastage in Ghanaian households with the objective to propose energy efficiency end-use and behavioral retrofits. Mixed methods approach was used through an extensive literature review, energy audit and interview of 430 residential households, selected through stratified sampling across the three climatic belts of Ghana. This was based on the Ghana Statistical Service housing statistics and categorization of residential housing. The means and frequencies of 8 household appliances and energy consumption levels were analyzed with SPSS to establish the probable energy savings that could be achieved through the proposed retrofits. The findings show an existing end-use wastage of 1922.41 kWh/24 h for the selected 430 households translating into approximately GHȻ 677,075.00 per year based on the 2019 Electricity Company of Ghana’s tariff reckoner. The implementation of the proposed energy efficiency retrofits could reduce the energy consumption levels by 45.75%. A comprehensive policy framework for financial incentives with awareness creation is recommended. The identified energy use profile of Ghana is critical for an urgent energy policy development, implementation and adoption towards reducing end-use electric energy wastage.

The advancement of the Ghanaian construction industry is seen to have a steady but bumpy path, especially in the case of adopting sustainable materials. Hemp, a plant with vast potential of attaining sustainability, has gained the attention of many across the globe yet is confronted by resistance to its integration within various economic sectors in the country. This resistance has been tied to its perceived association with marijuana and the notion of it having more harmful than beneficial impacts. This study has been undertaken to present a case for hemp as an industrial and sustainable material capable of bringing economic, environmental, and social benefits to the country. The study carried out a scoping review aided by the PRISMA principles. Articles on industrial hemp dating from December 2001 to April 2023 were sourced from several databases: Google Scholar and Scopus. 48 out of 1446 articles subjected to evaluation were deemed relevant to the study and analyzed for the review. The findings displayed an increasing trend of interest among scholars and industry practitioners in the cultivation, production, and application of industrial hemp. It also showed how scholarly research has distinguished between hemp as a drug and industrial hemp as a sustainable material. Additionally, the findings showed how education and adoption of industrial hemp were still low due to several setbacks faced by stakeholders. It was further revealed through the findings that promoting the ecological and biological mechanisms governing industrial hemp conservation and evolution, increasing scholarly interest in hemp and its industrial use, and incorporating technical know-how in the cultivation and production of hemp by-products would go a long way to boost industrial hemp application in the Ghanaian construction industry. A case has been made, and it is time for the construction industry in Ghana to consider the application of industrial hemp as one of its sustainability strides.

Although environmental product declarations (EPDs) are widely used in many European countries, their availability and utilization in Africa are limited. The question is how will the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry effectively promote the utilization of EPDs to facilitate the communication of material content and promote sustainability within the African region? This study aims to identify the synthesis between the use of EPDs in the African region and other regions of the globe through a systematic review of the existing literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review uncovered a need for more research on the African Region; however, a heightened interest exists in EPD growth in European countries. The countries that exhibited the highest publication numbers in the field of EPDs were Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, with publication counts of 34, 19, 19, 16, and 14, respectively. The novelty of this study is in its endeavour to motivate countries in the global south to cultivate and advance their knowledge and capabilities to pursue emission reduction measures through the implementation and utilization of EPDs, which represents a pioneering initiative in the African region. The study serves as a valuable resource for practitioners and policymakers, offering essential groundwork for EPD growth. Academics can take advantage of One Click LCA’s free boot camps and webinars through their online academy to improve their knowledge.

This study conducted a review of literature on sustainability dimensions in the built environment (BE). It revealed a comprehensive understanding of sustainability dimensions beyond isolated concepts. The study identified future research directions in sustainability dimensions research. Using Scopus and Google Scholar search engines, 65 articles were found using relevant keywords. Content analysis of selected articles revealed 30 dimensions of sustainability which were categorized under four key dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and technical/technological. Future research can consider circular economy and the use of behavioural dimensions to increase sustainability adoption in the construction industry. This study contributes to successful sustainable building projects by understanding the various sustainability dimensions. The introduction of a fourth key dimension of sustainability and redefinition of social sustainability as socio-cultural sustainability advances the literature on sustainability in the built environment.

While the potential for minimizing carbon emissions of buildings is increasing, the intricacies of the associated cost premiums remain a grey area. Presenting a viable case of cost competitiveness is however critical to the widespread adoption of low carbon buildings. With cost premiums expected to be rationalized over the building’s lifespan, integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with Life Cycle Costing (LCC) can provide a comprehensive overview of the apparent carbon-to-cost trade-offs. In this paper an Integrated Process Framework for LCA-LCC is proposed. Following a review of 23 case study papers identified from Scopus search, the goal/purpose, standards, approaches, and scope of LCA and LCC are analysed. The findings show main use cases in comparative carbon and cost assessments for alternative building solutions. The ISO 14040 and ISO 15686 series are identified as the most adopted standards for LCA and LCC respectively. For LCA, the Process approach is applied in most studies, while the Conventional approach is most applied for LCC. Generally, the LCA system boundaries span across cradle-to-grave, with LCC showing a decreasing inclusion of cost scopes from Initial to End-of-life costs. A key gap identified across the case studies is the lack of a consistent methodological framework for integrating LCA and LCC. This can be attributed to challenges identified to include limited access to data, limited scope of assessment, as well as limitations in evaluating trade-off impacts. In view of this, a 12-step integrated process framework for LCA-LCC is proposed within a standardized workflow. The conceptualized framework accommodates the integration of critical LCA and LCC assessment parameters including goals, standards, scope, system boundaries, levels of detail, approaches, databases, emission monetization and extended value integration.

Climate change is one of the most topical issues of the twenty-first century and a major obstacle to the global economic development agenda. However, there is limited understanding of the science, nature, risks, and vulnerabilities of climate change for humanity. Significant evidence shows that the building sector is responsible for over 40% of the world’s atmospheric CO2 emissions, which is the key contributor to climate change. Electric energy efficiency therefore suffices to redefine a holistic baseline for building energy performance. This study investigated building occupants’ awareness levels of climate change threats in tandem with households’ energy usage, with the objective of motivating sustainable energy occupants’ behaviours. The study distributed designed questionnaires to 1200 households of varied backgrounds across the three climatic belts of Ghana, selected through stratified sampling, with 1020 of them being returned. Descriptive statistics on the means and frequencies were conducted using SPSS version 23. Key findings indicated that, although 51.5% of the respondents understood the meaning of climate change, only 40.88% considered it a major threat to humanity. Based on the cultural theory of risk, most respondents fall within the hierarchical category and expect the central government and international bodies to be responsible for mitigating climate change. Again, 44% of the respondents would only replace their inefficient appliances when they failed to function. The study hence recommends policy backing for the development of a holistic behavioural change framework synergizing motivation and compulsion in sustaining affirmative action towards reducing electric energy consumption and wastage.

The connection between climate change/variability, migration and transport infrastructure has a profound impact on different dimensions of development in both the area of destination and origin of migrants. The link between the concepts is important to the livelihoods of many households in sub-Saharan Africa and the achievement of sustainable development goals. Although the migration of Africans to European and Western countries has attracted political and media attention, several studies have suggested that most West African migrants travel to destinations within the West African region. Moreover, migration is dependent on transportation as it provides the engine for people to move across geographical areas. Using a mixed method approach and data obtained from 500 households and 16 key informants from Nkoranza South Municipality in Ghana. The study through the lens of translocality highlighted the role of transport infrastructure in translocality, climate response/adaptation and sustainable development focusing on the networks and mobility between the area of origin and destination of migrants. The study finds that the condition of farming, which is the main livelihood in Nkoranza South has changed over the years. These changes coupled with transportation challenges have made farming difficult, risky and less profitable. The situation has culminated in a high rate of out migration as a coping strategy. The findings further show that a large number of livelihoods in both the area of origin and destination are organized around transport networks. The paper calls for improvement in transport infrastructure and investment in agriculture to support livelihoods and mobility.

In spite of existing knowledge on the general impacts of climate change/variability on rural livelihoods, some peculiarities in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa are still emerging. In this study, we explore the localised and nuanced effects of climate change and variability on the livelihoods of the farming communities, and coping strategies adopted by the peasant farmers in the Builsa North District in Ghana. The study draws on 3 models: Model of Coping Methods; Motivation-Opportunity-Ability model; and Sustainable Livelihood Framework to examine the effects of climate change/variability on the livelihoods, and coping strategies adopted by the peasant farmers. A total of 106 peasant farmers were interviewed from 7 farming communities. Responses from these farmers were validated through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and institutional consultations. The study reveals that temporary coping practices are adopted by farmers using local socio-materialities and livelihood assets. Further, the value systems of the farming communities affect their ability to create alternative livelihoods. The paper recommends the consideration of local value systems as central to all climate impacts and livelihood analysis.

Literature has it that industrialisation portends development for citizens and for a nation. The paper as such investigates if ‘the people’ eventually develop given the anti-people policies and programmes drawn by political leadership and their foreign collaborators. It finds out that foreign direct investment in Africa focuses on extraction of natural resources and not particularly for industrialisation of host nations. In the course of the operations of multinational corporations, they violate environmental peace and livelihood of indigenous populations, without getting justice before domestic courts and international arbitration tribunals. Host nations hesitate to enforce decisions that are against foreign investors on account of certain terms in bilateral investment treaties. The colonial design for modern Africa is technology transfer, to which states in Africa groan under the burden of foreign loans, incurred to procure infrastructure and foreign technology. Is the political leadership able to champion the course of responsible production and consumption when it is most times motivated by greed and selfishness, which hinder acquisition and maintenance of infrastructure and industrialisation? Nonetheless, focus is on the prospect of education, which is capable of boosting indigenous engineers’ skills acquisition, innovative design thinking, towards having low-cost manufacturing capabilities. The paper enquires if the theoretical based education, bequeathed can work for Africa. It adopts doctrinal research methodology with historical and analytical perspectives as it recommends innovative indigenous technology as the right path for Africa to industrialize.

The study aimed to develop a framework to integrate social value into construction procurement in Ghana. A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was employed to gather and analyze quantitative data during the first phase. Results from the study’s first phase formed the basis for qualitative data gathering during the second phase and were analyzed using content analysis. The study established that (Rogers in Diffusion of innovations. Free Press, 2003) innovation diffusion theory and Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle are very efficacious for integrating social value into construction procurement in Ghana. Participants provided an in-depth explanation of the importance of planning, monitoring, and taking corrective steps to correct deviations in integrating social value into construction procurement. A new insight gained from the study is the combination of Deming’s PDCA cycle and (Rogers in Diffusion of innovations. Free Press, 2003) innovation theory to develop a framework contrary to the dominance of institutional theory in the literature. The study serves as an essential catalyst to leverage construction procurement as a strategic policy tool for socio-economic development. The study adds to the body of knowledge on social value in the construction industry and provides a comprehensive framework to integrate the concept into construction procurement in Ghana.

The introduction of free Senior High School (SHS) education policy in Ghana in the 2017/2018 academic year has resulted in an explosion in the number of intakes by tertiary institutions since the 2020/2021 academic year. In the provision of more accommodation infrastructure, it is important that students’ satisfaction is met. This study was designed to unveil the kind of improvements needed in the next accommodation delivery cycle due to an increase in student intake. Realizing from literature that most studies in Ghana focused on either on-campus or off-campus accommodation, and the fact that recently, off-campus hostels have accommodated about 60% of students, the research was designed to be a comparative study, using Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana as the case. The mixed-method approach was employed, including literature, questionnaire and observation in a multi-levelled research approach. The data from the questionnaire were analysed and presented using descriptive statistics, whereas the data obtained from the observational studies were thematically analyzed. The study found that on-campus halls/hostels had fewer areas that needed improvement. However, the following improvements for off-campus accommodation must be taken into consideration: ‘access to faculty area’ for students of on-campus halls/hostels and the ‘provision of internet facilities’, ‘street lighting system’, ‘security provision’ and ‘management response to student’s concerns’. These findings provide timely assistance to the government and private developers involved in the provision of students’ accommodation.

Bamboo has been increasingly identified as a material of choice for sustainable building design and construction. This is a result of the global agenda to minimise the carbon footprint and develop healthy and sustainable cities. Globally, there are extensive studies on the application of bamboo as a building material and its constraints. However, there has been inadequate research on post-use assessment. In this paper, the authors aim to evaluate the satisfaction of built environment professionals on the use of bamboo. The study adopted a quantitative approach to ascertain consumer satisfaction, using Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) to analyse 252 responses; purposively sampled from built environment professionals who use bamboo within building design and construction activities. The findings revealed that bamboo is still predominantly used as support for buildings during construction, and a decorative element. However, there has been an increase in alternative uses in design and construction; where its adoption for floor finish, ceiling finish, curtains and furniture rated paramount. The respondents sampled in this study expressed satisfaction in employing bamboo; however, the availability of bamboo artisans was cited as the main inhibitor. A correlation test conducted between variables of “motivation” and “knowledge” against satisfaction indicates the observed correlation is not statistically significant. However, a genuine relationship was observed between “perception” and satisfaction. The authors recommend the integral inclusion of bamboo technology training in all building-related curricula. In addition, there should be conscious efforts towards sensitization by interest groups. The authors equally propose further research into the impact of increased knowledge on satisfaction and an evaluation of residents satisfaction of bamboo facilities.

Colour affects every aspect of our lives and is a key aspect of designing interior spaces. They can communicate varied feelings like calmness, generate sensations, and evoke emotions that can excite or provoke happiness or sadness within a space. Many research studies have been conducted concerning the relationship between human emotions and colour. However, this research investigates how colour in the sleeping room affects the emotions of students within the selected halls of residence on Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus. It also seeks to find out whether the emotional reaction to colour in students’ sleeping rooms differs with respect to gender. In this research, three major halls of residence—Unity Hall, Independence Hall and Chancellors’ Hall on KNUST campus were considered. The researchers administered a closed-ended questionnaire that adopts the Brief Mood Introspection Scale and the Tensed-Relaxed Scale to conveniently sample students in these halls of residence to assess their emotional reaction to colour in their sleeping space. Those who preferred to share their experience were rather interviewed. Descriptive statistics was used in analyzing the quantitative data whereas content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Based on the research findings, it is evident that students have a strong preference for colours such as blue, white, and purple. These particular colours also have a friendly, soothing, and relaxing influence on students. It is recommended that, lighter shades of these colours be used depending on the preference of individuals.

Recent urban sprawl and human settlements in general tend to stretch towards wetlands and pose severe threat of destructing wetland ecosystem prestige. Research has enlightened society on the general benefits of urban wetlands, including provision of food and portable water, fuel and construction wood, flood control and pollution filtration systems and grounds for scientific experiments and touristic purposes. In spite of these, the Ghanaian perception and activities, like that of human beings in general, are mostly negative towards urban wetlands. Thus, the study investigated the relationship between residents’ perception and use of urban wetlands in Kumasi, Ghana. 318 residents living within a 100-m stretch on both sides of the banks of two rivers (Subin and Wiwi) in Kumasi responded to a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Relative Important Index analyses revealed that most respondents (at both locations) perceived wetlands as mostly ‘abandoned lands’ and as ‘mosquito breeding grounds’, and used them mostly as ‘waste disposal grounds’, and for ‘agriculture’ and ‘fuel wood harvesting’. The study also found a strong positive linear correlation between how Subin respondents perceived wetlands and how Wiwi respondents perceived wetlands. Similar results were found in their usage of wetlands. Nevertheless, the correlation between how Subin respondents perceived and used wetlands, though positive, was statistically weak to make wetland perception a predictor of wetland usage. Similar result was also revealed in the Wiwi analysis. Policies, strategies and sensitization must rather be focused directly to sustainable usage of wetlands.

The study assessed policy and practice motivations for social innovation in the construction industry and lessons that can be drawn for Ghana. A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was employed to gather and analyze quantitative data during the first phase. Results from the study’s first phase formed the basis for qualitative data gathering during the second phase and were analyzed using content analysis. Results showed that, while policies and laws such as the Public Service (Social Value) Act, 2012 UK, South Africa’s Affirmative and Preferential Procurement Policy, in addition to the Canadian Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal rights spurred attention to social innovation, practices for implementing these policies are set-aside, preferential and target procurement, in addition to award criteria or performance obligation in contracts among others. The study further showed valuable lessons for the Ghanaian built environment. These include socio-economic transformation through employment generation, training and skills development, wealth redistribution to deprived communities where construction works are undertaken, and poverty reduction. The study draws the attention of policymakers to the untapped opportunities in procuring construction works for social regeneration. The study also serves as an essential empirical basis for reviewing public sector procurement laws, regulations, policies, and practices to integrate social innovation. The study contributes to the global discourse on social innovation in the built environment.

Sustainable construction practices aim to reduce energy use and waste production by using recyclable and renewable materials in construction projects. This approach ensures a building’s design has negligible environmental impact throughout its lifetime, incorporating factors and materials that continuously impact the structure’s environmental impact. This study examines end users’ awareness of sustainable construction’s economic, social, and ecological benefits. Utilizing a quantitative research method, 100 respondents were purposively sampled for data. Data were analyzed using one-sample t-tests and mean score ranking. The findings from the study suggested end-users had limited awareness of the economic, social, and ecological benefits of sustainable construction. Several studies report that a lack of knowledge and awareness of the SC concept leads to the idea being disregarded by construction professionals. This study puts the spotlight on the end-users. It concludes that despite several initiatives, the awareness and uptake of Sustainable Construction (SC) will only improve with the involvement of the end-users in the promotional initiatives.

Design for deconstruction (DfD) involves defining principles that make the deconstruction and recovery of materials easier, faster, and economical. It is an alternative to demolition that looks at recovering materials for reuse or recycling through deliberate and careful thoughts at the planning and design phase. However, its implementation has received several challenges, especially in developing countries. Knowledge of designers’ perception of DfD relates to its adoption since most design professionals will be moved by the importance DfD comes with and engage in its practices. Hence, this study seeks to explore the importance of DfD from the viewpoint of the designers in Ghana. A quantitative approach was used to obtain responses from 240 design professionals in Ghana through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was generated through a critical review of pertinent literature on the subject matter. Data from respondents were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Design for deconstruction is a key principle of sustainable development. By studying its importance, the research contributes to advancing sustainable practices in the design and construction industry. It promotes the idea of creating buildings and products that can be easily deconstructed and their components reused or recycled, reducing waste and resource consumption. The study contributes to the development of circular economy models and practices. The study is valuable in that it has the potential to establish a foundation for future studies that delve into investigating issues associated with DfD.

Design for Circularity (DfC) is an approach that seeks to optimize materials and resources in construction projects to minimize waste generation and thereby extend the lifecycle of materials used. Conventionally, the construction industry (CI) is known for employing linear economy practices, which consume vast virgin resources, large amounts of energy, and high quantities of waste. Therefore, circular design must enable a smooth transition to a circular economy (CE) for positive resource use and efficiency. This study is a mini-scoping review aimed at investigating the key DfC strategies linked to the Circular Economy (CE) concept used in the construction industry and employed by design professionals. The methodology adopted the five-step process by Arksey and O’Malley. It used PRISMA for data organization, leading to the final list of articles used in the mini-scoping review. The mini-scoping review identified several key strategies employed to design for circularity in the construction industry and was discussed with relevant studies provided. This study gives insight into DfC as an increasingly important concept that can reduce the construction industry’s ecological footprint, requiring further development and research to maximize its effectiveness. Thus, it is further suggested that future research emphasizes identifying new DfC strategies, developing existing ones, and integrating existing strategies in the construction industry processes. Again, there is a need for further collaboration between design professionals and other CI stakeholders to ensure that these strategies are prioritized to reduce waste and optimize materials resource usage.

Globally, green building (GB) practices are widely acknowledged as potent remedies for mitigating the adverse environmental impacts associated with construction and building activities. The term “Green” is commonly attributed to buildings constructed and maintained with the primary goal of optimizing resource efficiency, minimizing harm to human health, and cultivating high levels of occupant satisfaction and productivity. This paper is dedicated to evaluating the current extent to which Ghana’s construction industry (GCI) embraces and implements green building principles and technologies. It specifically delves into how these green practices contribute to improved health and enhanced productivity. The assessment of indoor environmental quality encompassed factors such as furniture and workstation arrangement, thermal comfort, air quality, lighting, acoustics, cleanliness, and maintenance standards. Data for this evaluation were collected through a survey employing quantitative techniques, using a random sampling approach. Out of the 400 surveys distributed, 205 were gathered. Descriptive statistics were applied to scrutinize the collected data. The study revealed that the indoor environmental quality met the satisfaction of the building’s occupants. Ultimately, the research concludes that green buildings have a positive impact on the health and productivity of their users. This underscores the importance of ongoing research endeavors aimed at creating innovative, eco-friendly building solutions. Such initiatives play a crucial role in advancing societal well-being and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), notably SDG 3, which prioritizes the enhancement of health and well-being.

Housing supply and its related issues especially housing deficits have become topical globally receiving attention. Several countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa have attempted different approaches to mitigate the housing challenges. However, the housing deficit problem is on the rise. One key factor associated with the increasing global housing deficit is the high cost of building materials which does not deviate from that of Ghana. Housing construction in urban/peri-urban areas of Ghana is largely characterised by overreliance on the high cost of conventional building materials (CBM) and underutilization of indigenous building materials (IBM). This is despite the potential of IBM to achieve environmentally, economically, and socio-culturally sustainable houses. The situation is largely associated with limited Knowledge of IBM and a lack of an adoption framework for the successful implementation of IBM in housing construction. This study adopted a systematic literature review approach on the state of housing provision in Ghana, the concept of IBM, drivers to IBM adoption, and stimulating measures towards increased implementation of IBM in housing delivery in Ghana. The study identified six major drivers to influence the adoption of IBM in housing delivery. These include; material inherent characteristics, environmental, socio-cultural, economic, government influence, and technology and education related drivers. The study also revealed and recommended inclusion in an IBM adoption framework stimulating measures such as education and publicity; government policies and regulations; commitment, IBM research and development; and procurement, incentives and support.

In Ghana, research shows that Social housing has been neglected in the housing deficit reduction strategy. This case study on the Tema-Ashaiman Slum Upgrading Facility project (TAMSUF), the Amui-Djor Social Housing project is underpinned by a Pragmatist philosophy and adopts a mixed method approach. The study provides insight into how community involvement and stakeholder engagement are instrumental in developing a sustainable and resilient social housing module for Ghana. Funding for the project was from slum dwellers with support from stakeholders such as UNDP and UN-Habitat. Professional and Technical input was from the Ministry of Works and Housing (WH), Ministry of Local Government (MLG), Housing the Masses (HM), Tekton Consult, and Peoples Dialogue (PD). The Slum dwellers negotiated with the Ashaiman Traditional Council for land, they were given 2.18 acres of land in exchange for three flats from the project while the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly granted permits. The scheme delivered a 2-story-31-unit mixed-use housing complex with twelve rental stores and a twelve-seater public washroom at the cost of USD 400, 000.00, and it was delivered within 6 months. The project was successful, and lessons learned suggest that social housing is possible with community engagement and involvement as discussed in Arnstein’s theory of community participation. The main findings show the community's involvement in sourcing for funding, acquiring land, agreeing on the housing design, and the post-occupancy management of the project. Responses show that Social housing improves quality of life and that there is a need to pilot it in Ghana.

Designing buildings to meet sustainability requirements have become the public focus globally. The paucity of building energy efficiency policies in most African countries has resulted in buildings designed without any recourse to the environmental impact, energy efficiency and thermal performance. Interestingly studies on building design optimisation within the warm-humid climates prevalent in most West-African countries are scarce. This study focuses on optimising daylighting and energy performance of an experimental block using genetic algorithm. The study achieved this aim by following a five-step methodological process. The process includes the design and construction of the experimental block and the analysis of the multi-objective optimisation (MOO) model. The experimental block was constructed in Kumasi and modelled using Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. The design variables used for the development of the MOO model were building orientation and window to wall ratio. The optimisation analysis was conducted using Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). The findings of the study portray that within the warm-humid climate of Ghana, building orientation and fenestration have an impact on the cooling loads and daylighting potential. After the optimization the daylighting performance metric UDI is increased by 36.4% and the energy performance metric is decreased by 3.17%. The study sheds light on the impact made by form and aspect ratio in the orientation of a building. The study makes practical contributions by presenting developers, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders with information on how to overcome challenges pertaining to the design of energy efficient buildings.

The study’s purpose was to investigate the working conditions of the informal artisans in the Ghanian construction industry, using the Ejisu Municipality as a study area. The study aimed to identify the existing working conditions of the informal artisans and detail the effects of working conditions on the performance of the informal artisans within the construction industry. The research employed a quantitative and questionnaire-survey method. A sample size of 50 respondents was selected, using the snowball sampling method. Data was analysed using mean scores, and standard deviation. The study reveals that the quality of life of informal artisans is poor and their working conditions are generally deficient. Additionally, it was found that many artisans stopped working or exhibited a lack of commitment, due to inadequate recognition at the work site. Moreover, the unsatisfactory working conditions negatively resulted in low productivity and sub-standard works in the construction industry. The absence of a regulatory body or union responsible for coordinating the welfare and wellbeing of construction artisans exacerbated this situation, leading to a high rate of artisans’ turnover. The study recommends that artisans must be motivated through; capacity building, regular and high remuneration, professional mentorship for effective coordination, institution of a pension scheme, and welfare support, to help improve the performance of informal artisans in the construction industry. Also, adequate government support for local regulatory institutions for artisans, will enhance efficient monitoring of their welfare, wellbeing, health and safety standards in the construction industry.

Knowledge transfer between organizations and communities of operation has been identified as a means for organizations to innovate. However, the transfer process comes with numerous challenges. Hence, this paper aims to identify challenges that would militate against the transfer of knowledge from construction organizations to the communities of their operation. In a cross-sectional survey, 250 contractors, comprising 155 building and 95 road contractors, responded to questionnaires explicitly developed for this study. Stratified simple random sampling was the sampling technique used. The findings of the study revealed that lack of trust, cultural restrictions, time constraints, and type of neighbourhood are the barriers to knowledge transfer from construction companies to the communities. The findings of this study contribute to knowledge as they establish barriers to knowledge transfer between a construction organization and a community so that policymakers can find ways to overcome them. The findings also contribute to knowledge management literature by establishing barriers to knowledge transfer from a construction organization to a community, the first of its kind in Ghana.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of wearable sensing devices for monitoring construction workers’ falls from height. Wearable sensing devices (WSDs) must be used to proactively monitor construction workers for falls from height (FFH) in order for projects to be completed on schedule. The purpose of having construction workers adopt WSDs to address FFH issues was advanced by using the case study research approach. Semi-structured interviews were used as part of the case study to collect qualitative data. By means of purposive sampling 69 construction workers across 4 case projects were selected to participate in the study. The investigation explored the factors affecting construction workers working on heights by assessing their work environment, health and safety effects, nutrition, and their perceived need for WSDs to monitor latent H&S problems leading to FFH on site. The results showed that a lack of knowledge and training to use WSDs as well as cost implications impedes the adoption of WSDs, leading to sustained H&S challenges such as FFH. Despite the limited knowledge of WSDs, the general perception of using WSDs by construction workers is positive. However, there is a need for future studies to consider how its use would not violate the right of workers to privacy and the nature of cost-efficient H&S monitoring that can be done.

The adoption of digital technologies in the South African construction industry has emerged as a transformative force, offering new possibilities and challenges for Built Environment Professionals (BEPs). This review article explores the integration of digital technologies and their impact on the construction sector in South Africa. This review article delves into the current state of the adoption of digital technologies by Built Environment Professionals (BEPs) in South Africa, offering a comprehensive analysis of the key factors influencing their digital transformation journey. Findings from the study revealed that digital technologies have proven instrumental in streamlining processes, enhancing project management, and improving overall productivity. However, the adoption landscape in South Africa is shaped by unique socio-economic factors, regional disparities in technological infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and cultural considerations. The findings further showed that economic constraints in less developed regions may inhibit investments in digital technologies, while the availability of robust technological infrastructure in urban centres presents opportunities for accelerated adoption. Also, clarity in regulatory frameworks, particularly regarding data privacy, intellectual property, and interoperability standards, is essential to foster a conducive environment for digitalisation. Moreover, addressing cultural challenges, such as resistance to change and upskilling the workforce, is critical to ensuring successful digital transformation. The study concluded that the successful adoption of digital technologies by South African BEPs is imperative for driving the industry’s growth and contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.

Construction companies have begun automating construction activities with novel and smart technologies. Therefore, what will construction artisans do when all artisanal works in the construction industry require digital skills to perform? The study reviewed 29 publications on digital skills needed by construction artisans to perform digital workflows which were obtained from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. There were no empirical records of digital skills for construction artisans in literature. However, the research sought to exploit the following; In Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, artisans should be able to network and market their crafts online, create and send emails, and search for information via the Internet. Additionally, technical digital skills such as operating automated machines like masonry robotics and concrete 3D printers to perform masonry tasks and reading and executing digital drawings at the site are also recommended. The world is moving digitally, and traditional skills and tools are fading out speedily. Artisans need to be aware of the digital trend and prepare to upskill themselves with industry 4.0 skills, through apprenticeship or training. This will enable them to increase their revenue, efficiency and health and safety.

In the face of urgent climate challenges in Africa, innovative solutions are crucial for achieving sustainable development. This study explores the potential of automated building facades as a means to address climate change and enhance building efficiency. Focusing on Ghana's diverse climate, particularly in Kumasi, the study employs a comprehensive approach involving literature review, case studies and questionnaire surveys. The research findings underscore the significant contributions of automated building facades to resilient and sustainable building design in Kumasi. These facades offer benefits such as improved thermal comfort, optimized energy efficiency, and enhanced natural light management. Their ability to adapt to changing weather patterns strengthens overall building resilience. While most of the studied buildings are outside Ghana, their lessons are highly applicable. The diverse geographic locations, including Brazil with a similar tropical climate, offer insights into adapting automated facades to Ghana's context. Additionally, lightweight materials commonly used in automated facades align with sustainable construction principles. The study highlights that automated facades can effectively manage natural light, conserve energy, and adapt to varying climatic conditions. Control mechanisms range from manual to automated systems, presenting a spectrum of options for user engagement. The research recommends further investigation into localized adaptation, sustainable materials, user-centric design, technological integration, policy development, and capacity building. Ultimately, automated building facades emerge as a promising strategy for enhancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in Africa's changing climate.

This paper unravelled the causative factors contributing to artisan shortages and their effect on construction project delivery in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research approach with a non-probability sampling method due to the fragmented nature of construction sites, comprising 250 respondents. Data collected was analyzed using mean and variance with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 20). In order of importance, health and safety, training and capacity, social welfare, and technological factors were the most influential factors contributing to the shortage of Artisans. Deficiency in the supply and availability of artisans, mainly results in an increase in construction cost due to reworks, waste generation, poor quality of construction, project delays, increased construction errors due to inexperience, and increased workload. These effects may adversely affect the general construction project performance. The five main causative factors and thirty-eight sub-factors of artisan shortage were identified as; General Causative Factors, Health and Safety, Training and Educational, Technological and Social welfare. Nine effects of artisan shortage were identified. The lack of artisans in Ghana Construction has severe implications for the construction business and the economy. Swift attention is imperative to redeem the industry and economy. A sustainable scheme should be developed and adopted to retain and attract skilled artisans in the construction industry in Ghana. There must also be an improvement of the working conditions of Construction workers to make the construction labour market attractive. Identifying causative characteristics and their effects is fundamental for developing a sustainable scheme to improve artisan welfare.

The global Construction Industry (CI) is shifting from traditional construction methods to more advanced technological construction due to digitalization. However, the skills an artisan needs to perform their jobs are also shifting and reshaping daily. Technology is an essential tool in the development of trades and careers, even in achieving Sustainable Development Goals in this industrial 4.0. But technology adoption in Ghana's Construction Industry (GCI) has been hindered by fear of change, high cost and lack of access to technological tools. The study assessed Construction Artisans’ (CA’s) perception of Digital Technology (DT) usage in performing digital workflows by the Technology Acceptance Model. Quantitative research was used and the data collection tool was paper-based questionnaires. It was administered to construction artisans in Ghana through a purposive and snowball sampling technique. 352 responses were received. The data was analysed with SPSS version 16 and the results were ranked in order of most significant. Respondents’ perceptions of using DT include the ability of a tool to enhance productivity, improve communication and networking, enlarge their business and if digital devices will be used more frequently in the future. The construction industry in Ghana gets very limited attention from artisans in DT usage. Therefore, the research seeks to promote digital partnerships among firms and stakeholders in the CI in Ghana. This will enable them to purchase and train CAs on modern skills. The government is also encouraged to give industry players duty-free on DT.

Inanimate objects known as “fomites” can harbour microorganisms and act as possible conduits for disease transmission. Since most people spend their time outside, they come into contact with the built environment and objects such as doorknobs, countertops, car doors which tend to be significant source of contamination. Humans leave their own microbial imprints on objects, which others acquire by touching or inhaling. This study was to isolate, characterize and determine the bacteria load on the steering wheels and door handles of commercial taxis around the KNUST campus. A total of thirty (30) samples from fifteen (15) randomly selected cars were used. Using sterile swab sticks, samples were taken from the door handles and steering wheel of each car and analysed with standard methods. A total of 293 bacteria were isolated on both steering wheels and door handles. On door handles, there were more isolates than on steering wheels. Bacteria numbers ranged from 2.35 × 106 to 2.35 × 109 CFU/ml on steering wheels and 2.75 × 106–9.15 × 108 for door handles. Bacillus spp. was predominant on the door handles of the commercial taxis. Isolation rate for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 0.4%; and 18% respectively. This study concludes that cars act as a potential source of contamination with many commensals and harmful microbes which are sources of transmission of many diseases.

Although indoor fountains have many benefits (Hanson in Four (4) surprising health benefits of indoor fountains, 2023), they seem not to be common in homes, hospitals and work places in Ghana. A lot of indoor fountains and their essential parts are imported (Steiner in Indoor fountains, materials and sources. A. Korankye, Interviewer, 2022). For this reason, this studio research took steps to explore the use of a locally available material (Mfensi clay) to manufacture indoor fountains towards making them available to the Ghanaian population. The study was based on studio practice and the descriptive research method; observation was the data collection tool. Analysis brought to light the fact that, Mfensi clay is a viable material for composing pots into functional indoor fountains. It is recommended that producers of fountains team up with the Ministry of Health to promote education and sensitization of society to promote the introduction of indoor fountains into Ghanaian homes. Academics, artists and craftsmen should continually explore locally available materials to produce various fountains, and promote the aesthetic and health therapy aspects, of indoor fountains, for improving the health of Ghanaians.

The main objective of this study was to ascertain whether the Ghanaian vegetable-tanned leather, noted for its versatility in producing conventional artefacts, is viable for the production of upholstered furniture when integrated with lesser-used species as a means of establishing facts about the suitability of this material for sustaining upholstery making. The study employed mixed-method research based on descriptive and studio-based experimental approaches. Observation was used as the main instrument for data collection. The local vegetable-tanned leather was employed with wood and cushion to produce three dining furniture, a pair of footrests and a set of ottomans. Participant observation was used to gain a thorough understanding of the materials used, the process followed and upholstered furniture produced. Results from the study among others indicated that the local vegetable-tanned leather is not known by the majority of furniture producers and users of upholstery products. Imported coverings (textile fabrics, leather and leatherette) are the primary material used for the production of sofa chairs, office chairs, ottomans, sofa beds, and a few other items produced in the country. The findings also demonstrated that Ghanaian vegetable-tanned leather can be a suitable material for making upholstered furniture because of its qualities, including durability, comfort, flexibility, and the attractiveness of its surface after applying the right finishing. It was therefore recommended that the Ministry of Art, Culture, and Tourism raise awareness through art shows, exhibitions, and trade fairs to showcase upholstery products made with indigenous vegetable-tanned leather. This will educate upholsterers and users of upholstery products, identify local vegetable-tanned leather as a viable upholstery material, and develop taste and preference for its use. The study therefore recommends that furniture producers reconsider using Ghanaian vegetable-tanned leather as an equally viable material as a means to sustain upholstery production, as this will increase job opportunities in the leatherwork sector, and reduce the importation of cladding materials.

International construction joint ventures have served as an appropriate strategic partnership for the successful execution and delivery of large-scale projects, especially in developing countries. Their utilization for construction and delivery of projects are, however, plagued with risks A suggested approach for managing these inevitable risks includes their equitable allocation to capable parties. Following a set of criteria for the allocation of risks has been recognized as a sound basis for the equitable allocation of risks. The aim of this study is therefore to establish a set of criteria for the equitable allocation of risks in ICJV projects. A survey was conducted involving 62 local and 32 foreign partners in both completed and ongoing ICJV projects in Ghana. The Mean Score was used to establish the adequacy of eleven sets of criteria for risk allocation. Risk foreseeability, risk awareness, and risk evaluation capability were among the top allocation criteria agreed by the respondents to be adequate for risk allocation in ICJV projects. It was established that adopting these criteria would help reduce the incidence of unconscionable risk allocation through contracts which have been acknowledged as the basis for most contractual disputes in ICJV projects. This study contributes to risk management in ICJV projects by the identification and the empirical establishment of the adequacy of criteria towards an equitable risk allocation relevant in ICJV contractual arrangements.

Project abandonment is one of the most significant issues encountered in the construction sector. Government invests huge sums of money in projects some of which are deserted. This study investigated the causes and effects of building projects abandonment. In achieving the aim of the study, the following specific objectives were advanced, to determine the causes and the effects of project abandonment on the client and contractor in the construction industry, the challenges people face as a result of the abandonment and the effect on the Ghanaian economy within the Kumasi metropolis using Krofrom Market as a case study. The study adopted the use of questionnaire and survey to collect data. Direct personal interview was undertaken and 50 questionnaires distributed. Out this number, 40 questionnaires were distributed to respondents out of which 30 were retrieved from residents of Krofrom, 9 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved from consultants of the contractor and 1 structured questionnaire was presented to client (Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly). SPSS and Relative Important Index are the data analytical tools used in analyzing the data. Findings revealed that the main causes of the abandonment include; delay in interim payment, inflation, poor financing of project and variation during construction. Increase in final cost of the project and waste of materials and plants are the main effects on client and contractor. Threat to community security and unemployment are the main effects on the locality and reduction in government revenue as the effect on the economy. The following were recommended as guidelines to reduce construction project abandonment; the need to carry out proper feasibility studies, proper planning before project commencement, respect conditions of contract, issue of instructions on time to contractor and early preparation of interim certificate to avoid delay. This study will assist the government in being more careful in the future when awarding contracts or giving construction projects. The study also served as a guide for other researchers who wish to learn more and it can be used by non-academic researchers to increase their knowledge of the subject.

In recent times, global disasters are skyrocketing, especially in the face of climate change. West Africa, in particular, suffers from several disasters, mainly meteorological (storms), hydrological (floods) and climatological (droughts and extreme temperature) events where meteorological and hydrological disasters represent the most prevalent across the West African region. Although countries embark on various strategies to reduce the risk of disaster, cross regional learning and knowledge sharing seem nuanced. Using a comparative review approach, the study sought to assess management strategies in disaster risk using the key tenents of the Sendai framework as a benchmark. Ghana, Togo, The Gambia and Niger were purposively selected for the study as they represent various unique dynamics in terms of the representation of disaster in West Africa. The study found that selected countries were well-represented in policy and strategy; however, there were similar challenges across the board. Management strategies were reactive rather than responsive due to challenges with technical staff, equipment and misapplication of funds at all levels. The political will to implement and enforce documented in-country Disaster Risk Reduction Management Strategies (DRRMS) is a crucial hurdle to cross. Efforts at addressing the highlighted challenges will be a major leap in disaster management within the West African sub-region. Disaster management must be seen within the lens of a double-win mechanism that propels developmental efforts and as such be given the maximum commitment that is required.

Despite the investments and efforts to develop irrigation systems, many irrigation projects in Ghana are not working up to design expectations, whilst others have been abandoned altogether. To address this, factors influencing the abandonment of small-scale irrigation schemes in Ghana were interrogated. The study employed the quantitative approach to gather data from key stakeholders. Of the 170 questionnaires distributed, 125 responses were retrieved and analysed using factor analysis. The study revealed that 12 factors influence the abandonment of small-scale irrigation projects and subsequently grouped them into institutional, social, construction, and economic factors. Social factors had the most significant influence (28.68%), followed by economic factors (22.10%), and construction factors (18.88%), with institutional factors having the least impact (10.79%). This is the first study to identify factors influencing the abandonment of small-scale irrigation projects in Ghana. Given the extremely high cost of small-scale irrigation projects, this study would be invaluable in supporting the holistic design of future small-scale irrigation infrastructure in Ghana to prevent further financial loss to the government and taxpayers. The study is limited to abandoned small-scale irrigation projects in Ghana.

The success of SME contractors’ machinery management is compromised by management practices adopted by construction SMEs at the project level. The purpose of this study is to investigate machinery management practices for the sustainable performance of SME contractors in the construction industry of South Africa. This study adopted a quantitative research method to achieve the study objectives. Questionnaires were distributed to purposively selected management team of SME contractors listed in Grades 1–4 of the cidb Register of Contractors within the Eastern Cape Province. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted to analyse the results using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 29. The findings revealed SME contractors’ machinery management practices to promote sustainable project delivery include hiring skilled plant operator, effective maintenance plan for regular maintenance of plant and equipment, continuous use of hired plant until booked off-site, sequence of activities on plant and equipment production, and plant arriving on time to site from suppliers. This study is limited to SME contractors listed in Grades 1–4 of the cidb Register of Contractors within the Eastern Cape Province. The findings from this study have practical implications for SME contractors and the construction industry at large because construction SMEs will be successful at the project level when machinery are effectively managed. This study focuses on SME contractors’ effective machinery management practices and recommends effective machinery management for enhancing SMEs’ sustainable business performance.

Political risks (PR) relate to all diverse governmental rationale occurrences that may have a negative influence on a construction project such as influencing project investments and contracts. Furthermore, PR is crucial to construction stakeholders even though there are challenges that are faced when performing a risk assessment. PR includes changing laws, and intervention by foreign governments in a project, to name a few. As such, this study will assess PR challenges that are experienced within the South African construction industry. This study adopted a quantitative approach, and random sampling techniques were used to collect the data through questionnaires that were distributed amongst the construction professionals found within the study area. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were sent out and fifty-seven (57) responses were received. The analysis of the data collected was conducted using SPSS V 24, while statistically tested using mean item score, frequency distribution, and standard deviation. The findings revealed the poor performance of the construction industry in different projects due to challenges of political risks. Furthermore, political risks have discouraged construction investors from investing in construction projects because projects are prone to cost overruns, and time overruns because of these risks. Improved construction regulations and awareness of the political risks within construction project is strongly advised for high or good performance of construction projects with little or no political risks.

While pedestrian walking forms over 60% of daily mobility in African cities, the needed infrastructural facilities are hardly provided; and when provided, they are rarely used or in bad state. This paper raises and answers two key questions; (i) are pedestrian infrastructures providing the needed safety in urban Ghana? And (ii) to what extent are pedestrian safety infrastructure been used? Adopting the case of two footbridges in Kumasi—Ghana, this study explores the attitude of pedestrians to the use of footbridge and the safety concerns associated. The study adopted the Right to the City theoretical lens and deployed multiple qualitative data collection methods, including pedestrian counts and interviews, institutional consultations, interview of traders around the footbridges and focus group discussions of local stakeholders. The challenges of introducing footbridges as safety infrastructure and myriad of user perceptions are revealed. These include pedestrians’ exhibition of their rights to mobility and use of public spaces, in ways that have not been considered in the design of the pedestrian footbridges. The study concludes with a re-examination of pedestrian infrastructure provision in urban Africa.

Wetlands all over Africa are being unsustainably reclaimed due mostly to high rate of population growth, urbanization and rising poverty. Despite having numerous ecosystem services that are of great benefit to humanity, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems due to destructive anthropogenic activities. However in order to sustainably use and manage wetlands in Africa, more data must be made available for policy formulation and decision-making. Africa lacks sufficient, basic and accurate data on population demographics that have affinity to wetland settlement. Research is needed to provide this scientific basis in Africa. This study investigates the demographic characteristics of the population with affinity to wetland settlements in Ghana. It also contributes to filling the gap identified by the National Environmental Action Plan of Ghana. The questionnaire survey approach was used with a sample size of 318 residents along two rivers (Subin and Wiwi) in Kumasi, Ghana. Descriptive statistics based on frequencies were used to analyze the demographic data. The demographic information that characterizes wetland settlers as revealed by this study include, low incomes, high rate of unemployment and poverty and low patronization of formal education. The high percentage of those with Senior High School certificates holders at the wetlands was also alarming. The settlers were mostly young and active. However, it was also found that data on the gender, ethnicity and religion of wetland settlers must be better determined at individual localities.

Information Sharing Behaviours (ISB) has been perceived to be significant factor in improving information asymmetry in a highly volatile and uncertain operational environment associated with PPP project delivery. However, there is not much effort to examine the nature and extent of influence of ISB on information asymmetry in PPP project delivery given that information imbalances are rife in PPP arrangements. The aim of this study is to identify ISB factors that influence information asymmetry in PPP arrangements and project delivery. A questionnaire survey on-going PPP projects, yielded 109 responses from a purposively selected PPP participants in Ghana. Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) technique was adopted to explore the influence of ISBs on taxonomies of information asymmetries among PPP participants. The findings revealed that, good information sharing behaviours of trust, reciprocity, leadership, accountability, communication commitment and organizational culture have varied significant effects on various forms of information asymmetries and information imbalances among PPP project participants. Thus a good combination of these behaviours can veritably reduce various forms of information asymmetries among PPP participants. This study gives theoretical assertiveness and validation to the role of information sharing behaviours in reducing typologies of information asymmetries in in PPP project delivery. The findings are useful launching pad for the development of ISBs among stakeholders and PPP participants to improve information asymmetry inherent from the principal-agency problem.