SPOTLIGHTING MANIFESTATIONS OF BUILDINGS COLLAPSE ARISING FROM PERCEIVED CHANGE IN CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OVER THE NIGER DELTA REGION
Keywords:
Building collapse, Perception, Climate change, Manifestation, MitigationsAbstract
Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing humanity in recent times as it threatens global building construction safety, stability and sustainability. The aim of this study was to spotlight manifestations of building collapse due to perceived change in climate characteristics over the Niger Delta region. The survey research design was adopted and 396 copies of questionnaire were distributed to different professionals across the state capitals in the study area to elicit relevant information relating to building collapse and climate change and the distribution was as follows: Port Harcourt (83), Asaba (53), Owerri (28), Akure (21), Uyo (43), Benin City (55), Umuahia (28), Calabar (46), Yenagoa (39). The perception of respondents on building collapse and climate change reveals that 80% of the respondents strongly affirm that climate change affect buildings in the area while only 20% has a contrary view. On the other hand, the manifestation of climate change in the area is reflected by the views of 76% of the respondents whereas only 24% differ in their opinion. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations such as use of climate change resilient materials for building construction, enforcement of compliance to approved building plans and building designs, enactment of tree planting and green landscape policies as mandatory aspect of building plan were put forward.
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