Book of Abstracts

Heavy-duty equipment operator fatalities remain a major safety issue in transport-intensive mining operations. Existing research often examines safety management, equipment training, and transport systems in isolation, limiting a comprehensive understanding of systemic fatality drivers in Ghana’s gold mining sector. Grounded in Human Factors Theory, the Resource-Based View, Contingency Theory, and Total Quality Management, this mixed-methods cross-sectional study evaluated the scope and underlying causes of operator fatalities using survey data from 428 mining personnel and expert focus groups. Findings revealed moderate rates of transport accidents (40.2%), operator fatalities (35.0%), and deaths from safety protocol noncompliance (44.2%). Logistic regression showed that technology integration, strategic transport management, and risk management practices significantly reduced fatality risks. Qualitative results underscored supervisory failures, maintenance flaws, complacency, and deficient practical training. The study recommends competency-based training, enhanced hazard reporting, digital fleet monitoring, and stronger regulatory enforcement across all mining operations. Influence of Plantain Pseudostem Fibre on the Tensile Strength of Concrete Michael Opeyemi Babasola1, Olugbenga Ata2, Abdullahi Adeyemi Lawal3 Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. mobabasola@oauife.edu.ng This study investigated the effect of plantain pseudostem fibre (PPF) on tensile strength of concrete with a view to assessing the suitability of PPF as a tensile-resistant material in concrete. Characterisation of materials was done according to BS EN933-1, BS EN1097-6 and ASTM D638-10, respectively. Processed PPF, with an aspect ratio of 75 (75 mm length, 1 mm diameter), was incorporated into a 1:2:4 concrete mix at dosages of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% by weight of cement. A water-cement ratio of 0.65 was maintained, achieving slump values of 60– 100 mm. Cylinder specimens (100 mm x 200 mm) were cured and tested for tensile strength at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days according to BS EN 12390. Data were analysed using ANOVA and regression analysis. Incorporating PPF at all

Transport management is a pivotal, unevenly developed capability in Ghana's gold mining supply chains. Grounded in the Resource-Based View and Contingency Theory, this study evaluated how transport systems affect operational performance, equipment reliability, and operator behavior using survey data from 428 mining personnel. Regression analyses showed that safety protocols, logistics coordination, workforce transport planning, and technology integration significantly boost operational outcomes, explaining substantial performance variance. Mediation analysis proved equipment safety training partially transmits these benefits, enhancing productivity, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. Conversely, weaknesses like poor scheduling, limited digital adoption, and fragmented infrastructure coordination trigger operator fatigue, equipment stress, and disruptions. Positioned as a socio-technical capability connecting infrastructure, human factors, and organizational routines, transport management requires integrated planning, technology monitoring, and operator-focused training to maximize resilience and efficiency in resource-dependent supply chains. “Fatalities Among Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators in Ghana’s Mining Sector: An Analysis of Magnitude and Underlying Causes”

Affordability and carbon reduction are increasingly interlinked challenges in the housing sector, requiring a systematic approach that balances carbon neutrality, cost efficiency, and social inclusion, and positioning “affordable net zero housing” as a critical pathway towards sustainable development. To address this need, this study developed a comprehensive framework for affordable net zero housing by identifying and validating critical success factors (CSFs) and associated criteria. A comprehensive literature review of academic, policy, and industry sources was conducted to derive key sustainability dimensions, followed by expert validation using an international focus group of 23 professionals. The review resulted in the identification of nine CSFs: energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy generation, water efficiency and conservation, sustainable and low impact construction, waste management, community and connectivity, resilience and climate change adaptation, social and health benefits, and economic accessibility. The findings indicated that all nine CSFs are essential and collectively contribute to the successful delivery of affordable net zero housing. Among them, energy efficiency was ranked as the most critical CSF (RII=4.9), followed by economic accessibility and sustainable and low-impact construction. The validated framework provides a structured decision-support tool for policymakers, designers, and developers seeking to integrate environmental performance, economic feasibility, and social equity in housing projects. However, further research is required to apply determine multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques to determine relative weighting and contextual prioritization Such advancements will strengthen the framework’s practical applicability and support more effective delivery of affordable net zero housing solutions. From Conventional to Green Offices: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and Employee Satisfaction in South Africa Thabelo Ramantswana, Tsepiso Mote, Koech Kenneth Cheruiyot University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa There is limited empirical evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa on whether certified green

Ogun, Nigeria egidario.aduwo@covenantuniversity.edu.ng; chibuikem.obiohapgs@stu.cu.edu.ng The increasing integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into architectural design represents a shift in epistemology which has significantly altered how sustainable knowledge is being created and validated. This paper conducts a systematic critical literature review to analyse this transformation. It looks at the main research question: How is GenAI changing the basic ways that knowledge is created, critiqued and used in architectural design, and what does this mean for sustainable practice? By using a systematic critical review methodology, this paper analyses literature from databases using a structured search string. The selected papers are thematically analysed to identify the dominant narratives and pinpoint theoretical conflicts related to designerly intuition, ethics and human agency. It aligns with Agenda 2063 by interrogating how foundational changes in design epistemology can support the continent's technological transformation and sustainable development goals. The expected contribution to knowledge is a foundational critique that explains the evolving discourse, distinguishes between speculative claims and evidenced shifts, and highlights crucial gaps. This aims to inform a more ethically aware and critically engaged integration of GenAI, one that safeguards necessary human judgement in the pursuit of sustainable built environments. Uptake of Recycled Materials for Construction Projects: Decision Factors in Emerging Economies Nontokozo Nkosi1*, Osamudiamen Otasowie1 Construction Management & Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa nontokozonkosi020@gmail.com The uptake of recycled materials is essential for advancing circular economy (CE) practices in the construction industry. However, their adoption remains limited in emerging economies despite growing concerns about environmental and resource efficiency. This study investigates the decision factors influencing the uptake of recycled materials for construction projects in an emerging economy. A quantitative research design was adopted using a structured questionnaire surve

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems increasingly mediate built-environment decisions. Yet, governance frameworks still say more about system risk than about why a particular AI-mediated claim should gain authority in a consequential decision. This conceptual article develops epistemic governance as the institutional ordering of how material decision claims are constituted, credited, admitted, challenged, closed and revised. A targeted theory-synthesis review, completed on 11 August 2026, integrates responsible-AI governance, human oversight, actor-network theory (ANT), epistemic injustice, Industry 5.0 and built-environment decision research. ANT explains how authority is assembled through translation, inscription, composition, delegation and black-boxing; epistemic injustice theory evaluates credibility, standing, exclusion and contestability. Their synthesis yields the Epistemic Authority Assurance Protocol (EAAP), comprising five claim-level checks: claim constitution, representational standing, inferential warrant, contestable uptake, and accountable closure and learning. Seven reversible dispositions specify whether a claim may be authorised, conditioned, held, revised, rejected, escalated or reopened. A stylised municipal flood-prioritisation illustration shows how sparse data and monetised loss can make a technically plausible ranking epistemically incomplete. The contribution is a portable, auditable protocol that complements rather than replaces established AI risk management and legal frameworks. AI remains a producer and mediator of propositions; accountable natural and legal persons retain decision responsibility. Leveraging Generative AI for Carbon-Neutral Building Envelopes in the Digital Age Vincent Chubo¹*, Deliverance Chiripanyanga¹, Panashe Mashonganyika¹ Quantity Surveying, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Chipondavincent84@gmail.com The building envelope plays a central role in heat transfer, natural lighting, natural ventilation, and whole-life carbon emissions, yet many BIM workflows still rely on sequential, single-variable iteration that limits exploration of competing design objectives. This paper compar

Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh nahinahmedchowdhury29@gmail.com Construction delays remain a persistent challenge in construction project management, often causing budget overruns and schedule disruptions. This study proposes a machine learning (ML) based framework for predicting and mitigating delays, integrated with 4D Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve schedule precision for C-shaped residential structures in Autodesk Revit. A literature-driven synthetic dataset of 500 construction projects was assembled, capturing activity durations, delays, and task dependencies. The scheduling data were refined in Primavera P6 and modeled in Autodesk Navisworks to enable 4D simulations. Four machine learning techniques, random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), gradient boosting trees (GBT), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), were evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and the coefficient of determination (R²). XGBoost achieved the strongest performance, reducing prediction error by 31% compared to the SVR baseline. When applied to a simulated C-shaped residential case, the framework identified geometry complexity and substructure phase activities as the leading delay drivers using Shapley additive explanations (SHAP), enabling project teams to allocate schedule buffers proactively. This reduced total predicted delay by 94.4% and schedule deviation from 73.8% to 4.1%. These risk rankings can be embedded directly into Primavera P6 buffer allocation workflows, giving practitioners in construction markets prone to monsoon delays, such as Bangladesh, a quantifiable basis at the activity level for scheduling geometrically complex residential developments. Impact of Individual Attributes on Construction Readiness Parameters for Resuming Abandoned Housing Projects: A Multivariate Regression Analysis N. Aishah Abdul-Rahman1,2*, Rahimi A. Rahman1,3, Ahmad Rizal Alias1, Syafizal Shahruddin4, Md.

Build-operate-transfer (BOT) building projects have long-term financial commitment and are exposed to a significant degree of uncertainty and risk. One mechanism of support provided by governments to attract private investment in public infrastructure is the option to abandon (OTA) which gives the private investor the right to abandon a project that is no longer financially viable. OTA has been relatively under-researched in comparison to other support mechanisms like the minimum revenue guaranty because its value is predicated on the joint evolution of cost, revenue and time rather than a single guaranty threshold. Previous works have dealt with transportation and energy concessions. However, few computational tools have been developed specifically for the PPP-BOT building projects. Moreover, traditional discounted cash flow approaches assume investment decisions as static and are unable to capture the value of the managerial flexibility offered by OTA. This paper seeks to fill this gap by developing a model based on the real options theory for evaluating OTA in the early investment appraisal stage of PPP-BOT building projects. Mathematical equations and algorithms were developed and implemented into a structured Microsoft Excel spreadsheet tool based on the binomial method of Real Options Analysis (ROA). The model was applied to a hypothetical PPP-BOT building project with realistic cost and revenue parameters. The binomial model generated a positive Abandonment Option Value (AOV) of 1.86, which supported the decision to invest for the private investor. While, the traditional NPV method generated a negative value of -2.02, recommending no investment. This discrepancy suggests that NPV systematically underestimates projects with embedded flexibility, confirming the advantage of using ROA for PPP-BOT investment appraisal. Sensitivity analysis reveals that inflation rate, rental value, concession period and volatility have the highest effect on AOV and hence require careful attention. This model provides a practical spreadsheet-based tool for investment analysts, concession negotiators and public sector agencies to value abandonment provisions in the early stages

Thermally comfortable conditions in university libraries support occupant productivity and academic performance. Conventional assessment depends on contact physiological sensors and self-administered questionnaires, which raise ethical concerns, cause participant discomfort, and lose accuracy in busy, variably occupied educational settings. This study evaluates thermal comfort in the Kashim Ibrahim Library (KIL) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, using a hybrid non-invasive approach combining infrared thermography (IRT), structured questionnaires and indoor environmental measurements. The contribution is the first field calibration of IRT against subjective thermal sensation in a sub-Saharan university library, and the first pairing of an IRT- derived forehead temperature band with a locally derived adaptive neutral temperature for a heat-acclimatised tropical population. A quantitative cross-sectional design was applied to 100 library users selected by systematic random sampling. Individual indoor air temperature readings across four zones and repeated measurement sessions spanned 22.0–37.0°C, with zone means of 22.0–27.0°C and relative humidity of 75–81%. Forehead skin temperatures were captured without contact using a calibrated infrared imager, and thermal perception was recorded on the ASHRAE Standard 55 sensation scale and the Bedford comfort scale. Regression of thermal sensation vote on indoor air temperature returned a neutral temperature of 28.8°C, within the measured range and 2.8°C above the ASHRAE Standard 55 upper comfort boundary, which quantifies the adaptive margin of this population. Forehead temperatures of 30.50–33.49°C corresponded with neutral votes (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), confirming IRT as a valid non-contact indicator of thermal state. The study establishes IRT as an ethically compliant substitute for contact measurement in occupied educational buildings and supports hybrid ventilation targeted at a 26–30°C adaptive band in comparable tropical facilities.

This paper investigates the relationship between architectural design of homes and inhabitants’ psychological well-being, which is understood to be achieved in terms of meeting human psychological needs. While existing design guidelines and policies inform housing design, they often overlook the extent to which these needs are satisfied. Despite people spending most of their time inside homes, the majority of built environment research on well-being focuses on non-residential settings, such as offices, schools, and healthcare facilities, resulting in a notable gap in the literature on well-being in residential environments. This research combines the two fields of architecture and psychology, by investigating theories of psychological needs as these are the key nutriments of psychological well-being. The research aims to develop a theoretical model of the architectural design of homes based on human needs to support and promote users’ psychological well-being. A mixed methods approach was adopted, first, a quantitative survey questionnaire was distributed (n=101) to explore if there was a link between residents’ perceptions of their homes and their psychological well-being. Secondly, a series of qualitative semi-structured interviews took place (n=13) to investigate, in-depth, the results of the survey. The results of the quantitative study demonstrated a direct link between residents’ satisfaction with their home and satisfaction with life in general. Further, the survey showed the importance of the physical structure of homes and of perceived opportunities for personalization in the overall satisfaction with a home and subsequently, well- being and life in general. The qualitative findings identified five key themes influencing the experience of homes: physical structure, embodied memories, security, transformability, and cultural preferences. The paper contributes by advancing the assessment of well-being in residential environments, linking human needs to architectural requirements for healthy homes, and proposing a theoretical model of housing design grounded in human needs to support psychological well-being. Provision of Affordable Housing Through Tunnel

Road infrastructure systems are increasingly exposed to climate stressors such as flooding, extreme rainfall, erosion, heatwaves and slope instability, creating growing challenges for infrastructure reliability, connectivity and lifecycle sustainability. Existing resilience approaches have predominantly emphasised engineering robustness and technical adaptation while under-theorising the governance capabilities required to manage climate uncertainty across the infrastructure lifecycle. This paper addresses this gap by developing a conceptual framework for Adaptive Climate Governance Capability (ACGC) in road infrastructure projects under climate stress. Drawing on Adaptive Governance Theory and Complex Adaptive Systems Theory, the paper argues that resilient road infrastructure is not solely an engineering outcome but an emergent governance capability shaped by climate-risk intelligence, adaptive decision-making, collaborative stakeholder governance, resilient procurement and contracting, and lifecycle monitoring and institutional learning. The framework conceptualises resilience as a dynamic governance-enabled capacity to anticipate, absorb, recover from and adapt to climate-related disruptions under conditions of uncertainty and institutional interdependence. The paper further develops a set of theoretically grounded propositions to guide future empirical validation using survey, case-study or mixed-methods approaches. The study contributes to sustainable built environment research by reframing infrastructure resilience from static asset protection toward adaptive governance capability. It provides a foundation for more climate-responsive infrastructure delivery systems. From Waste to Resource: Investigating the Constraints to Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) Reuse in the Global South Nontokozo Nkosi1, Osamudiamen Otasowie1 Construction Management & Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa nontokozonkosi020@gmail.com C&DW reuse is widely recognised as a fundamental circular economy (CE) strategy for reducing resource depletion and environmental impacts. However, its implementation remains limited across many countries in the Global

Terms such as smart, adaptive, intelligent and autonomous are applied to materially responsive and AI-enabled building systems despite major differences in demonstrated capability. This study develops and preliminarily evaluates an evidence-centred framework for classifying material intelligence in adaptive built environments. A design-science-supported, theory-directed synthesis used 11 OpenAlex search families, 4,102 deduplicated candidates, 66 verified priority scholarly sources and ten official sources. Source credibility, access status, evidential directness and implementation mode were recorded via a traceable source-to-criterion audit chain. The resulting framework separates functional capability (A0-A5), governance assurance (G0-G3), contextual performance and evidence maturity. Under the proposed definition, material intelligence begins at A3, where evaluated outcomes modify subsequent physical action. A4 distinguishes predictive anticipation (A4-P) from learning-enabled control (A4-L), while A5 requires sustained, bounded task or sub-goal reconfiguration under uncertainty. Evidence is coded E/P/A/NR and qualified as operational, testbed, modelled or proposed. Application to six purposively selected cases produced A1/G0, A2/G0, provisional A2/G1, A0 as tested/G0, modelled A4-P/G0 and modelled A4-L/G0. No case verified operational A3-A5 or G2-G3. The framework therefore offers falsifiable preliminary discrimination, not a validated maturity scale, and identifies the field evidence needed for independent validation. Digital Twin Technology in Engineering Practice: Insights from Academic and Industry Professionals in an African Developing Country Emmanuel Olorunyomi Aremu1*, Jesuferanmi Adetayo1, Ogagaoghene Odokuma1,

Nigeria osobenedict@gmail.com Infrastructure projects in Nigeria, particularly in selected South-South States, are frequently plagued by relational risks that compromise project success. This study appraises relational risk factors in public infrastructure projects. It identified relational risk factors, determines their impact on infrastructure projects and proposes mitigation strategies for managing relational risks in the study area. The study employed a quantitative survey research design and stratified random sampling technique was employed in reaching the 268 respondents to whom the questionnaires were distributed, 202 questionnaires were duly completed and returned. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine mean item scores for key factors. The findings show that the top most sources of relational risk factors are opportunism, trust deficit, uncertainty and information asymmetry with mean item scores of 3.94, 3.92, 3.91 and 3.90 respectively. The most critical impacts identified are project delays and cost overruns with a mean item score of 4.53, delayed procurement processes with a mean item score of 3.94, and corruption and misalignment with a mean item score of 3.87, ranging from high to very high impact. Effective mitigation strategies highlighted include establishing robust communication channels and regular updates and implementing feedback loops to identify emerging relational risks. The study underscores the importance of proactive relational risk management in enhancing the performance and sustainability of public infrastructure projects. The study contributes to the growing of body of knowledge on relational risks in developing economies and provides actionable insights for project managers, policy makers, contractors and construction professionals seeking to reduce relational risks and improve project outcomes in selected South-South States of Nigeria. An Empirical Study of

Perak, Malaysia muhammadadnan1108@gmail.com The increasing global emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance has prompted a re-examination of conventional project management practices, particularly regarding how sustainability is operationalised at the process level. Despite the widespread adoption of ESG principles, project managers continue to face challenges due to the absence of a standardised, process-oriented metric framework. This results in ambiguity when prioritising sustainability actions during project delivery. This study aims to evaluate and structure ESG process metrics to support sustainable project management practices. An online questionnaire survey was administered to project management stakeholders, assessing 20 ESG-related process metrics. More than 85% of the respondents rated the metrics as very useful or extremely useful for the ESG process framework. The cumulative weightage was 77%. Principal Component Analysis (KMO = 0.813; Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, p < 0.001) extracted three components, which together explained 70% of the total variance. The findings indicate that strong governance mechanisms, effective environmental control processes, and embedded ethical and social safeguards constitute the core dimensions of ESG integration in project management. This study proposes an ESG process metrics framework. The study recommends that project organisations institutionalise governance-driven ESG controls, prioritise environmental performance monitoring at the operational level, and strengthen social and ethical safeguards through competency development and stakeholder engagement. These measures can enhance decision-making clarity, reduce ESG-related threats, and improve alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. This research contributes to sustainable project management literature by clarifying ESG process priorities and offering a practical framework applicable across diverse project contexts. Internet of Things (IoT)-Enabled Smart Facilities Management: Assessing the Role of Digital Technologies in Reducing University Campus Emissions Mohammed, Abubakar Sadiq1*, Christopher Amoah2, Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major occupational health concern among construction labourers because of the physically demanding nature of construction activities and inadequate ergonomic practices in developing countries. This study examined the perceived causes and risk factors of MSDs among construction labourers in Abuja, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 skilled and unskilled construction labourers selected using purposive and convenience sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and exploratory factor analysis. The findings showed that all assessed variables were perceived as significant contributors to MSDs, with awkward working postures, prolonged standing, manual lifting of heavy materials, repetitive tasks, and extended working hours identified as the most important risk factors. Exploratory factor analysis grouped the variables into four underlying dimensions: Organisational and Design-related Stressors, Physical Load and Musculoskeletal Strain, Training and Environmental Risks, and Individual Health Factors. Organisational and design-related stressors accounted for the largest proportion of the explained variance, underscoring the importance of workplace organisation and ergonomic design in reducing MSD risks. The study recommends strengthening ergonomic practices, improving work organisation, providing regular ergonomic training and appropriate personal protective equipment, and enhancing occupational health and safety enforcement. The findings are limited by the use of non-probability sampling and respondents' self-reported perceptions, which may affect the generalisability of the results. Exploring the Impact of Foreign Labour Management on Labour Welfare and Productivity in Malaysian Construction Shalini Sanmargaraja1*, AbdulLateef Olanrewaju1, Muhammad Adnan Ali1, Hui Chen Chu1, Soo Cheen Khor1, Vignes Ponniah2 and Gunavathy Kanniyapan3 Construction Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak, Malaysia Building Services Engineering, Trafford College Group, England, United Kingdom Real Estate, Tunku Abdul Rahman Un

Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh iftakherahamed2002@gmail.com Consequently, evaluation of structural material intensity (SMI) is critical for designing buildings sustainably, minimizing their embodied carbon content, and facilitating early decision-making processes related to the structure. In this context, traditional quantification and benchmarking approaches for structural material intensity continue to depend extensively on laborious processes, isolated calculation steps, and non- transparency of prediction models. As such, this paper introduces an explainable BIM-machine learning framework for material intensity assessment in the built environment based on IFC-enabled BIM modeling and benchmark analysis globally. For testing purposes, an informative BIM representation of the KUET Science Building in Bangladesh was created and exported in Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format. With the help of a Python-based IFC parser, 498 wall components and 11 slab systems were automatically extracted along with relevant geometric and material attributes. Overall, these amounts resulted in an estimated structural volume of 34,389.47 m³ and composite structural material intensity (CSMI) of 2,714.64 kg/m². To create an informed predictive benchmark environment, a global dataset of 910 observations was collected and preprocessed, leading to the acquisition of 550 credible cases with 15 features relating to the structure and materials. Subsequently, feature engineering was applied to generate interpretable metrics such as the concrete-to-steel ratio, brick ratio, and wood ratio. Then, an XGBoost regressor model was employed for predicting CSMI, obtaining a high value of R² = 0.9857. To ensure better transparency and interpretation from an engineer's point of view, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was introduced into the framework. The output of the explainability analysis indicated that all concrete-related variables have a positive impact on structural material intensity, while timber-related attributes were shown to be negatively influencing the predicted CSMI values. Finally, a sustainability intelligence quadrant was defined as a way to compare the KUET Scie

Building energy retrofits are a key strategy for reducing energy consumption in the existing building stock; however, the success of this initiative is dependent on occupant behavior after the retrofit. Specifically, changes in window openings may alter ventilation patterns and influence the anticipated energy savings. This study focuses on analyzing the change in window operation behavior in post-retrofit buildings using three machine learning models. The data analyzed were obtained from an open-access source and collected from eight residential dormitories on a university campus in Syracuse, New York, USA. Pre-retrofitting data were captured with a 1-minute time resolution between August 2021 and May 2022. Post-retrofitting data were obtained at the same resolution between August 2022 and May 2023. Supervised machine learning models, such as Random Forest, XGBoost, and Gradient Boosting, were used to predict window-opening events and investigate the differences in the behavior of occupants in the pre- and post-retrofit phases using feature-importance analysis. Window-opening frequency varied significantly across the eight buildings rather than showing a consistent trend. While five buildings experienced reductions of 21–81%, the other three saw increases of 21– 78%, resulting in an average reduction of 17.5%. This shift is accompanied by a change in the temperature thresholds that initiate the opening of the window, which also decreases by a mean of 1.8 °C. The patterns of feature importance indicate a shift in behavior from being dominated by indoor temperature before retrofitting to being dominated by indoor air quality and the suitability of outdoor conditions for ventilation. The Gradient Boosting models demonstrated moderate and building-specific predictive performance, with area under the curve (AUC) values between 0.79 and 0.82 for window state prediction across buildings, reflecting heterogeneous behavioral patterns. The findings indicate that behavioral adaptation effects should be considered to enhance the performance of retrofit assessment and building energy modelling to enhance the quality of projected energy savings. Feature Importance Analysis o

Johannesburg, South Africa Mikenyarko1991@gmail.com Cities are growing at unprecedented rates, especially in developing countries, where unplanned urbanisation intensifies congestion, informal settlements, flooding risk, and service deficits. Ghana reflects these pressures, and conventional planning approaches are increasingly strained. Building on the global shift toward smart city governance, this bibliometric study examines the emerging intersection of Artificial Intelligence and urban planning, with specific relevance to Ghana’s urban future. The paper aims to map the intellectual structure of AI-enabled smart urban planning, identify dominant thematic clusters, and interpret collaboration patterns and practical pathways for a sustainable built environment in rapidly urbanising contexts. The study adopted a desk- based bibliometric design using the Scopus database, followed by structured screening to retain studies relevant to urban planning and the built environment. In total, 147 documents were included for analysis. Keyword co-occurrence and co-authorship mapping were conducted in VOSviewer to identify keyword clusters and collaboration networks. The results show four concise research clusters: AI-driven technologies and digital infrastructure for smart planning; machine learning for sustainable mobility and infrastructure optimisation; big data and remote sensing for sustainable development assessment and urban growth monitoring; and predictive analytics for data-driven urban development and participatory planning. The country collaboration map indicates a small but connected set of leading countries, the United States of America, China, and India, suggesting that knowledge production is concentrated and internationally networked. In practice, the findings imply that Ghana can improve planning transparency and resilience by strengthening data governance and interoperability, addressing institutional fragmentation, and piloting digital twin applications for flood risk analysis and infrastructure monitoring. Enablers of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient Building Design in the Built Environment Innocent Chigozie Osuizugbo Depart

South Africa's boatbuilding industry (BBI) employs organisational change (OC) through projects and programmes to improve process maturity, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Despite limited empirical evidence, low change implementation success rates and inadequate change management (CM) competency remain widely cited. This study examined perceptions of change implementation success, assessed CM competency levels, and explored the relationship between CM competencies and perceived implementation success within the BBI. A quantitative, deductive survey was conducted using a non-probability sample from BBI organisations. Data were analysed using one-sample t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis, guided by Higgs and Rowland's CM competency framework. The findings did not support the low-success narrative, with perceived implementation success of change and both human- and organisation-centric CM competencies significantly exceeding neutral or benchmark levels. Although CM competencies were positively associated with perceived implementation success, the relationships were weak to moderate in strength. The findings provide context-specific evidence to inform practice while indicating that CM competency alone is not a dominant predictor of successful organisational change. Sustainability to Regeneration: Designing Net-Positive Built Environments in African Hospitality Akintade, Elizabeth1*, Oke, Ayodeji Emmanuel2

Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi, Ghana justicewilliams@aamusted.edu.gh; wjusticee30@gmail.com This study examines the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on female participation in Ghana’s construction industry. The study adopts a positivist research philosophy and a deductive, quantitative approach using a cross- sectional survey design. Primary data were collected from construction professionals, industry experts, and policymakers using structured questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to select 350 respondents from a population of 658. Data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and linear regression, while instrument reliability and convergent validity were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and average variance extracted. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and female participation in construction (β = 0.273, t = 5.292, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that digital tools, including automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and Building Information Modelling, can support women’s inclusion by reducing reliance on physically intensive work and expanding knowledge-based roles. The study concludes that Industry 4.0 can act as a catalyst for female participation, but its benefits depend on complementary measures such as digital-skills development, inclusive organisational practices, supportive policy, and improved access to digital infrastructure. The study contributes empirical evidence from Ghana to the limited literature linking digital transformation with gender inclusivity in construction. Mapping XR Applications in Cultural Heritage Projects:

This study assesses the uptake of embodied carbon management strategies among construction professionals in Nigeria by examining awareness, adoption, barriers and perceived cost-related barriers. A quantitative survey was distributed to 228 professionals in Lagos Metropolis, yielding 201 valid responses (88.2%). Means, standard deviations and Kruskal-Wallis H tests addressed awareness and adoption; barrier items were ranked and examined using principal components analysis with Varimax rotation; and three explicit cost-related barrier items were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Pearson and Spearman correlations tested the null hypotheses that adoption was not associated with awareness (H01), perceived cost- related barriers (H02) or the overall barrier score (H03). Awareness generally exceeded adoption, while formal carbon-management practices such as life-cycle assessment, Environmental Product Declarations and carbon documentation remained weak. The barrier matrix was factorable (KMO=0.873; Bartlett's chi-square=2784.428, df=378, p<0.001), and six components explained 61.694% of variance. Training, incentives, policy support and contractor capability were the highest-rated barriers. Cost concern was also prevalent: 61.7% selected significant or very significant for additional design effort or cost, 61.7% for uncertainty about long-term return, and 65.7% for the high cost of low-carbon materials and technologies. Awareness was positively associated with adoption (Pearson r=0.559; Spearman rho=0.553; p<0.001), whereas perceived cost-related barriers and the overall barrier score were not significantly associated with adoption. The findings support applied professional training, proportionate policy and procurement guidance, local carbon data and project-level cost-carbon evidence. Enhancing construction business risk mitigation through technology-driven sustainable CSR practices: targeting external stakeholders Frank Amoah1,3, Ernest Kissi1,2, Michel Adesi1, De-Graft Qwusu-Manu1, Sam Aloysius3,

It is glaring that we have a climate crisis on our hands, and that 49% of global carbon emissions are attributable to the construction industry, yet more than 60% of construction professionals in Africa and the Middle East are not actively involved in embodied carbon (EC) measurement. The study aims to quantify the cradle-to-gate (A1- A3) embodied carbon of an 8,581.37 m2 reinforced concrete University hostel in Lagos, Nigeria, using life cycle assessment (LCA) and the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) database. Material quantities were extracted from the project bill of quantities (BOQ), drawings, and specifications for a single case study, while emission factors were sourced from ICE. The results were benchmarked against LETI (2020) targets, while a comparative as-design/as-built analysis determined the carbon consequence of documented cost-driven variations. The total EC of the case study building reached 3,918,852 kgCO₂e (3,919 tCO2e), with an EC intensity of 456.67 kgCO₂e/m2-15.4% below the LETI 2030 target. Reinforcement (36.8%) and concrete (28.0%) account for 64.8% of total emissions. A cost-driven substitution of steel roof trusses with timber, without environmental intent, yielded an 89% EC saving (153,492 kgCO₂e), with a total as-built carbon saving of 211,469 kgCO₂e (5.1%) relative to the as-designed drawings. The building met all three LETI 2030 targets. This study provides the first documented case study-based EC benchmarks for Nigerian university buildings. The study findings represent the first empirical demonstration of a nexus between as design and as-built embodied carbon. Key Drivers of

The readiness of students for professional practice in quantity surveying has become a central concern in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on Industry readiness of quantity surveying students in Nigeria. The study adopted quantitative research design approach where data for the study was collected using a structured questionnaire. This was administered to students, and industry professionals. The respondents were conveniently sampled and responses where gathered both physically and via Google forms. 180 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 134 were received; giving a response rate of 74.44%. The data gathered were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as mean item score, standard deviation, t-test, while Cronbach's Alpha was employed to test reliability. The results of the analysis indicated that SIWES significantly enhances student readiness, particularly in core technical and workplace skills such as billing knowledge, teamwork, and the ability to carry out expected tasks, though areas such as problem-solving and taking constructive criticism require further strengthening. The findings of this study reveal that universities and industry stakeholders strengthen practical exposure, research partnerships, and policy-level collaborations to enhance the professional readiness of future quantity surveyors. Impact of GenAI-Powered Adaptive Learning Environments on Student-

Safety induction is a key element of construction occupational health and safety management, providing workers with information on hazards, safe work procedures, emergency arrangements and personal protective equipment (PPE). This study examined safety induction practices and their perceived impact on construction site safety performance in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A quantitative case-study design with a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used among construction workers, site supervisors and safety officers on small- and medium-scale projects. From a population of 120, all 120 questionnaires were distributed, and 92 valid responses were analysed (76.7% response rate). Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, reliability and inferential procedures. Findings showed high awareness and participation in safety induction (mean = 4.17); implementation challenges, particularly inadequate materials, limited funding, time constraints and weak supervision (mean = 3.85); and a strong perceived positive impact on compliance, PPE use, accident reduction and communication (mean = 4.13). Effective safety induction therefore requires management support, adequate resources, regular training and effective supervision. The study provides context-specific evidence for improving construction safety in Bauchi State. Factors Causing Cost and Time Performance Variations in Construction Projects: Evidence from the South African Construction Industry Babatunde Ogunbayo1*, Samuel Adekunle1, Temitope Olajide2, Oluwatosin Olajide3 Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, William V.S. Tubman University,

Nigeria ugochinyere.ezeochapgs@stu.cu.edu.ng Rapid urbanisation and land scarcity in Lagos, Nigeria, have driven a proliferation of high-rise mixed-use buildings whose resource consumption and waste generation remain a critical sustainability challenge. This study assesses the adoption of circular economy (CE) design strategies in three high-rise mixed-use buildings in Lagos, Nestoil Tower, Heritage Place, and Kings Tower, using a structured observation checklist covering material efficiency, energy conservation, water circularity, design for disassembly, and adaptability, each rated on a 0–5 scale. All three buildings performed well in smart building technologies (automated lighting, HVAC, BEMS) but poorly in material circularity and on-site renewable energy generation; passive solar-control glazing was moderately adopted, but active generation remained absent, and water efficiency was limited to basic conservation measures, with greywater recycling and smart irrigation absent. Kings Tower emerged as the leader, combining passive solar shading, on-site water treatment, and an adaptable island-core layout, though it too lacks design for disassembly, recycled materials, and solar PV. The findings supply an empirically grounded, building-level CE baseline presently missing from Nigerian high-rise research, giving developers and policymakers a concrete basis for intervention, and demonstrate practical pathways for advancing Agenda 2063 Aspirations 1 and 6. Comprehensive circularity will require integrating demountable connections, material passports, renewable energy, and closed-loop water systems from the design stage, supported by mandatory CE building codes, incentives, and professional capacity-building. Managing Campus Landscapes through Green Infrastructure for Rainwater Control and Groundwater Recharge in Sustainable Green Campus Development Joleha Joleha1*, Imam Suprayogi1, Merley Misriani1, Elianora Elianora1, Randhi Saily1,2,

Utilization of agricultural waste ashes as supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) have attracted increasing attention owing to their sustainability benefits, potential cementitious reactivity, and their eco-friendly attributes. However, at present, no study has been reported to assess the inherent pozzolanic properties of Gliricidia sepium wood-ash (GSA) as a SCM. This study therefore assesses the pozzolanic potential of GSA through chemical, elemental, mineralogical and microstructural characterization. Prior to the assessment through X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy- Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis, the wood sample was initially sun-dried, combusted, and calcined at 650 0 C for 3 hours. The result of the XRF showed that GSA is non-pozzolan, due to the combined silica oxide (SiO 2 ), alumina oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) and Iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) content of 9.11%, which is below the minimum requirement specified in ASTM C618 for Class C or Class F pozzolans. Conversely, the ash contained a relatively high CaO content (51.16%), indicating that further investigation of its cementitious behaviour is required. XRD analysis identified calcite, portlandite, polyhalite, marialite, fluorapatite and tridymite as the principal crystalline phases, while SEM observations revealed angular particles with irregular pores and dense regions that may be associated with hydration products but cannot, on their own, confirm their presence. Based on the characterization conducted, GSA cannot presently be classified as a conventional pozzolanic SCM under ASTM C618. Nevertheless, its high calcium content and mineralogical composition suggest that additional performance-based tests, such as strength activity index, lime reactivity and other pozzolanicity assessments, are required to determine its suitability for cementitious applications. Healing Interiors as Experiential Knowledge Systems: Interior Green-Blue Spaces and Well-Being in Ghanaian Urban Environments Henrietta Brew Ntim-Addae1*, Victor K. Quagraine2, Rexford Assasie Oppong 3, Alexander Boakye Marful4, Aisha Ida Baffoe-Ashun 5 1,2,3,4

This study aims at comparing the available Building Management System (BMS) facilities in the selected commercial building categories in Lagos State Nigeria with the view to finding the level of its adoption across the building types. The population for this study covers commercial buildings in the categories of hotels, shopping malls, cinemas and offices that are adopting Building Management System in the selected Local Government Areas of Lagos. A total of 75 buildings were selected for sampling in the study area, and data were obtained through questionnaire administration on the facility managers in the buildings. Data analysis techniques adopted were mean item score and Kruskal Walis test. The results obtained showed that the Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) system, smoke detectors and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) were mostly available in the selected commercial buildings in Lagos State, with mean values 3.77, 3.46 and 3.46 respectively, while the least available BMS facility was passenger conveyor with the MIS of 2.56. A cross comparison across the different building types showed that BMS facilities are mostly available in office buildings, followed by shopping malls and least in cinemas. The study recommends that more awareness should be created in the study area on the importance of adopting Building Management System in order to enhance the functionality of the buildings. Perceived Complexity or Real Barriers? Lessons Learned on BIM Adoption in the GenAI Era: The Case of Côte d’Ivoire

Urban housing redevelopment is a key strategy for improving urban infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness in metropolitan cities such as Lagos, Nigeria. A structured search was conducted in February 2026 across Scopus, Web, JSTOR, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar. This study examines the patterns, drivers, socio-economic impacts, and policy responses associated with housing redevelopment across Lagos metropolis. Thirteen areas with documented cases of redevelopment and gentrification were identified, including Lagos Island CBD, Oworonshoki, Iwaya, Makoko, Maroko, Badia East, Otodogbame, Ilubirin, Eko Atlantic city, Agege, Iponri, Ajah/Lekki corridor, and Surulere Rehousing Estate. Five areas, representing 38% of the total cases, were selected for detailed analysis based on maximum variation, data quality, and relevance to the research objectives. The review found that redevelopment improved land values, urban aesthetics, and service provision. These processes were primarily driven by public-private partnerships, state-led renewal, and private developers, with environmental risk cited in 3 out of 13 cases (23%) to justify displacement. Socio-economic impacts were significant: 9 of 13 cases (69%) reported loss of housing security through eviction, rent hikes, or buyouts; 8 of 13 cases (62%) documented disruption of livelihoods; and 7 of 13 cases (54%) highlighted weakening of social networks. Policy effectiveness was limited, with 10 of 13 studies (77%) reporting failure to prevent displacement. Key gaps included weak enforcement in 6 of 13 cases (46%) and absence of anti-speculation measures in 4 of 13 cases (31%). The study proposed an evidence-based framework combining legal safeguards, in-situ upgrading, participatory planning, and ecological design. It concluded that without enforceable equity measures, market- driven redevelopment deepens inequality in Lagos, with findings transferable to other African cities. Evaluation of Circular Economy in Plastics Waste Management for Sustainable Housing Solution in Ogun State Nigeria Foluke Jegede1*, Adedotun Akinola 2, Eseoghene Ekeh3, Erebor Emekpae 4

Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Opeakinradewo@gmail.com Digitalisation has been introduced into construction processes to improve the management and exchange of project information. Blockchain technology can provide a secure and decentralised platform for information management; however, barriers may prevent its adoption in the construction industry. The study therefore evaluated the barriers to adopting a blockchain-based information management system (BBIMS) in the South African construction industry. The research adopted a mixed-method approach. Semi-structured interviews with 12 experts yielded 16 barriers, which the experts ranked using a relative importance index. A questionnaire based on the qualitative findings was administered to construction and information technology professionals, yielding 269 usable responses. Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used. Connectivity ranked first, followed by user knowledge, document ownership restrictions, platform acceptance and software integration. The EFA analysis revealed four components that accounted for 75.826% of the total variance and were named human-related, technology platform-related, security-related and involved-parties’ barriers. The findings suggest that the identified barriers are germane to the adoption of BBIMS in the construction industry. BIM, GenAI, and Design Knowledge: Rethinking the Design Process through AI-Assisted Façade

Effective implementation of disability legislation is essential to equitable access to public buildings, yet compliance with Nigeria's Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2019) remains limited despite statutory obligations. This study examined implementation barriers across nine government secretariat buildings in Former Capital Territory in Old Lagos City and the Current Federal Capital Territory, in Abuja, using a sequential mixed-methods design combining a structured questionnaire administered to 49 built environment professionals (98% response rate) with a comparative legislative content analysis benchmarking ten provisions of the Act against seven international accessibility standards. The legislative assessment yielded a Comparative Adequacy Index of 1.80/3.00, classifying the Act as Partially Adequate, with sensory accessibility and enforcement provisions performing weakest. Survey and interview findings revealed a substantial gap between professional awareness and actual implementation, driven by inadequate funding, legislative under- specification, institutional incapacity, and attitudinal resistance, indicating that persistent noncompliance reflects systemic governance deficiencies rather than limited professional knowledge. The study recommends integrated legislative reform, strengthened institutional capacity, dedicated financing mechanisms, and the integration of accessibility standards into mandatory continuing professional development frameworks to improve compliance and advance inclusive public infrastructure. Evaluating Therapeutic Architecture Principles in Wellness Resort Design:

Despite extensive research identifying diverse determinants of residential satisfaction, limited evidence exists on the context-specific drivers of dissatisfaction in Nigerian Public Housing (PH) and on how these drivers relate to the gap between residents’ actual housing conditions and their aspirations, as proposed by Galster’s actual– aspirational gap theory. This study focuses on PH in the Oyo State Housing Corporation (OYSHC)), Nigeria, in the Global South (GS). A total enumeration of all housing units within selected estates ensured comprehensive population coverage. Of 718 copies of questionnaire distributed, 508 valid responses were obtained, representing a 70.8% response rate. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, multiple regression, and factor analysis were employed for data analysis. Findings reveal that 75.4% of residents were educated, 54.9% were homeowners. Yet, 51.4% of residents, who were mainly tenants, reported dissatisfaction, their reasons were mainly poor housing quality and weak estate management. In addition, the study found that age, education and household density rather than income, tenure and other known factors explained dissatisfaction this time. These results highlight the need for resident-centered housing design, and targeted improvements on housing quality and management to enhance satisfaction and support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. In addition, it has implications for policy, first to the authorities of OYSHC and also to housing authorities across Africa and the GS. A Theoretical Model of Architectural Design:

The advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping architectural education by altering how students visualize, reason, and construct design knowledge. While Building Information Modelling (BIM) supports structured, data-driven learning that foregrounds technical rigor, constructability, and sustainability performance, GenAI introduces image-based visualization that privileges intuition, speed, and aesthetic exploration. This shift generates pedagogical tension regarding how digital tools shape learning processes, design reasoning, and students’ professional identity within sustainable built environments. This study adopts a mixed-methods case study within undergraduate architectural design studios. Students developed building massing and façade concepts in Revit (BIM), rendered them using Veras as a BIM-integrated GenAI tool, and, when necessary, utilized alternative AI platforms. Data were collected through a post-task questionnaire that captured visual comparisons between BIM models and AI outputs, and open-end reflection questions on learning experience from the student’s point of view, which were then quantified. Findings reveal a pedagogical shift from model-based to image-based reasoning. Veras encouraged students to think through geometry consistency, performance parameters, and constructability, yet was perceived as visually constrained for creative learning. Alternative AI tools stimulated more reasonable imagination and visual storytelling. This suggests that GenAI does not merely assist visualization but actively reconfigures how students learn to integrate aesthetics, technology, and sustainability in design thinking. The paper contributes to built environment pedagogy by proposing a hybrid teaching framework that integrates BIM precision with controlled GenAI visualization. It recommends embedding critical AI literacy in studio curricula so students can critically navigate between data-driven and image-driven modes of knowing, ensuring that GenAI enriches rather than displaces professional judgment, ethical accountability, and sustainable design intent in future architectural practice. From HBIM to Environmental Intelligence:

The Nigerian construction industry routinely suffers budget overruns of 20-50%, driven by supply chain opacity, endemic corruption, and institutional resistance to digital tools. This study empirically evaluates whether blockchain technology (BT) offers a credible remedy and, if so, under what conditions. A quantitative cross- sectional survey was conducted among 67 professionals and managers from four major construction firms using stratified random sampling and a structured questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.903). Key findings showed that: traditional techniques such as budget preparation dominated current practice (RAI = 0.940), while digital tools ranked lowest; fluctuating material costs and corruption were the most pressing barriers; and blockchain applications, especially Supply Chain Management (SCM) for material delivery (RAI = 0.896) and smart contracts for payment accuracy, were highly rated, with experienced professionals showing stronger receptiveness. This implies that blockchain can reduce transaction costs, enhance transparency, and minimize disputes through permissioned ledgers and targeted pilots, provided legal, infrastructural, and skills barriers are addressed. In conclusion, blockchain offers promising potential for cost management in Nigeria despite existing systemic constraints. It is recommended that firms start SCM pilot projects while government enacts supportive policies and regulations. A six-layer, empirically grounded adoption framework is proposed, arguing that blockchain deployment without parallel investment in regulatory clarity, digital infrastructure, and human capital will yield adoption theatre rather than genuine cost-management improvements. Factors Influencing the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Quantity Surveying Practice in Lagos State,

As educational institutions evolve into complex structures, particularly in dense urban environments, understanding the vertical stratification of indoor environmental quality and related occupant comfort has become essential for sustainable building design. Thus, the primary objective for this research is to classify different floor levels based on human comfort and relating environmental parameters within the context of educational buildings’ lobby spaces located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using machine learning (ML) models. In total, 265 data points were collected, including quantitative and qualitative at the winter season. For this analysis, two ML algorithms were tested: Random Forest (RF) classification and Decision Tree (DT) classification. Feature ranking and explainability are simplified using SHAP (Shapley Additive exPlanations) analysis. The RF model obtained a 79% accuracy score, with temperature, humidity, density of people, and age being the most important features. The DT model had the most accuracy at 81%, with temperature, humidity, density of people, and lighting level being the most important features. These findings underscore the ML models’ performance in lobby spaces across different floor levels, highlighting key features. The study contributes to the advancement of interpretable ML approaches for floor level classification, offering actionable insights for the design of occupant-centric and energy-efficient educational buildings. Exploring the Role of Peri-urban Areas in Driving Self-help Housing: A Case Study of Tea Estate,

Africa 0710431w@students.wits.ac.za Persistent failures in subsidised housing delivery across South Africa’s metropolitan municipalities have exposed a governance deficit that prevailing project-management remedies have not resolved. This paper develops an integrated conceptual framework for the comparative evaluation of two competing housing delivery models in Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities, namely implementing-agent-led delivery and municipally led delivery, across the City of Johannesburg, the City of Tshwane and the City of Ekurhuleni. The framework synthesises five theoretical lenses: Principal-agent theory, governance theory, transaction cost economics, project management maturity theory and contextual institutionalism. From this synthesis the paper derives a four-construct causal architecture in which the delivery model (independent variable) influences project performance outcomes (dependent variables) both directly and indirectly through governance effectiveness (mediating variable), with institutional and organisational project management maturity moderating the governance performance relationship. The paper argues that delivery-model choice is properly understood not as a technical procurement decision but as an institutional governance decision whose performance consequences are contingent on oversight intensity, accountability mechanisms and consequence management. The contribution is a context-sensitive governance framework that addresses a five- level research gap spanning global, African, South African municipal, metropolitan-specific and governance- framework-deficiency scales. Methodologically, the framework is built through a systematic narrative synthesis of the principal-agent, governance, transaction-cost, project-management-maturity and institutionalist literatures, using structured theory triangulation to integrate five previously disconnected theoretical lenses into a single, testable four-construct causal architecture rather than through primary empirical data collection. Analysis of Post-Retrofit Changes in Window Operation Behavior in

Africa 26043770@dut4life.ac.za The Nigerian construction industry operates in a highly competitive and volatile environment characterised by economic unpredictability, fluctuating workloads, and intensifying professional competition. In this light, quantity surveying firms must implement the most effective competitive strategies to improve organisational performance and maintain professional practice in the built environment. This study examined the competitive strategy of quantity surveying companies in Nigeria, the factors influencing strategic choices, and the effects of those strategies on organisational performance from a sustainability perspective. The study is guided by three objectives: (1) to identify the environmental factors influencing the choice of competitive strategy among registered quantity surveying firms in Oyo State, Nigeria; (2) to examine the effects of competitive strategy on the organisational performance of those firms; and (3) to assess how competitive strategies contribute to the sustainability of quantity surveying practice in Nigeria’s built environment. A questionnaire survey was administered to 60 registered quantity surveying firms in Oyo State, with 50 usable responses returned, representing an 83.33% response rate. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to analyse data on competitive strategies, environmental factors, and performance results. The findings indicate that the economic environment is the most influential factor in strategic choice (RII = 0.89), while innovation strategy ranks lowest in terms of performance impact (RII = 0.09). The study contributes to understanding how professional service firms in developing construction markets navigate strategic choices and their sustainability implications. Recommendations for structured strategic planning and adaptive operational behaviours are offered for practitioners and policymakers. Sustainable Water Infrastructure Provision: Can Users’ Demographics Predict Willingness to Pay for the Benefits of Private Sector Participation?

Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia elma8207@uitm.edu.my Universities are increasingly expected to provide a learning environment that not only supports academic excellence but also enhances student wellbeing in a holistic and sustainable manner. As higher education institutions navigate the GenAI era characterised by data-driven decision making and evolving epistemologies within the built environment, the role of building and facilities management (BFM) becomes even more critical. This study investigates how comprehensive BFM practices contribute to students’ safety, comfort, and overall wellbeing within the Engineering Building at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. The research evaluates current practices, identifies gaps, and proposes sustainable, student-centred improvements that can guide future facilities planning. A total of 375 engineering students participated in a structured questionnaire survey, providing reliable insights into their daily experiences and perceptions. The percentage values reported in the findings represent the gaps between the current BFM practices and their perceived importance, where smaller gaps indicate greater student satisfaction with the respective facilities. The library (3.2%), computer laboratories (3.3%), and technical laboratories (4.8%) demonstrated the smallest performance gaps, indicating that students were generally satisfied with these spaces. Conversely, parking facilities showed the largest gap (10%), signaling notable dissatisfaction and the need for targeted improvement. Key environmental dimensions influencing student wellbeing were identified, including accessibility, facility quality, health and safety, and the availability of flexible spaces for diverse academic and social activities. While some sustainable initiatives such as basic energy-saving practices have already been implemented, the study reveals a persistent gap in student awareness and participation. To address this, the study proposes several practical recommendations, including the adoption of energy-efficient systems, enhanced waste-management strategies, and stronger communication efforts to increase visibility and engagement. Overall,

There is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that the development and investment of sustainable properties and their acceptance is increasing across the globe. However, current literature is limited in the investigation of incorporation of sustainability into retail property investment in developing economies, particularly in Sub-Saharan African countries. While some research efforts have been made on office and residential properties, there appears to be dearth of research on the integration of sustainable features in retail property. The paper examines the degree of integration of sustainable features into retail property investments in Ibadan, Nigeria. A survey of retail properties in the portfolios of estate surveyors and valuers in the study area finds that the integration of sustainable building features in retail properties in Ibadan is moderate overall, but highly uneven across categories, ranging from materials use and conservation (4.15) to energy conservation (2.39). Features that coincide with basic building functionality or tenant-driven letting value are well integrated, while features requiring deliberate capital outlay for environmental performance are largely absent. The paper advocates the need for targeted incentives alongside continued sensitization of property developers, investors and users on the benefits of integrating sustainable features. Using Artificial Intelligence to Predict Dissolved Oxygen for

Proper material management remains a major challenge in the Nigerian construction industry, where poor sand and aggregate measurement contributes to material waste and cost overruns. Traditional estimation methods such as visual approximation and manual tape measurement are time-consuming and error-prone, while drone, LiDAR, and photogrammetric alternatives, though more accurate, require specialized equipment and technical expertise that are often inaccessible on small and medium-scale sites in developing regions. This study aims to design and validate a low-cost, Android-compatible mobile application for real-time sand pile volume estimation using computer vision, addressing the gap left by existing tools that depend on AR or LiDAR-enabled hardware. A Flutter-based mobile interface was used for image capture, with a Python backend integrating the Segment Anything Model (SAM) for image segmentation, OpenCV for contour extraction, and geometric models for volume computation, using a calibrated reference bucket for pixel-to-metric scaling. The system was validated in controlled outdoor field trials against manually measured and calibrated-bucket control volumes across four sand pile categories. Results showed a mean estimation accuracy of 96% (mean absolute percentage error below 13% across all categories, against up to 34% for manual estimation), with an average computation time of 10 seconds. These findings indicate that the developed application offers a more accurate, consistent, and cost-effective alternative to manual estimation, and a more accessible alternative to LiDAR- or AR-dependent tools, for sand pile volume estimation in small- and medium-scale construction projects. Blockchain Technology as a Cost Management Tool in the Nigerian Construction Industry:

Water supply is critical to urban governance and the achievement of SDG 6 and 11. In Maiduguri, rapid urbanisation, weak infrastructures and uneven water distribution have created significant disparities in access despite efforts, particularly in fringe communities. This study examines the factors influencing inclusive water supply in Maiduguri, analysing 381 households across 36 census areas. A two-stage composite index was computed based on source (20%), distribution (50%), and storage (30%). Random Forest regression was utilised to explore the influence of water supply variables on inclusiveness, with Mean Absolute Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) values assessing variable significance. The results indicated spatial disparities, with the lowest inclusiveness found in seven fringe census areas. Overall, Maiduguri reached a composite index score of 2.4, reflecting satisfactory inclusiveness. SHAP analysis ranked distance to water source (0.159) and water supply volume per hour per day (0.129) as the main factors affecting inclusiveness. In contrast, the source of water had minimal impact (SHAP value of 0.075). The study recommends modernising outdated infrastructure and installing new, easily monitored pipelines and incorporating socioeconomic factors to improve model robustness. “From Roads to Rigs: Assessing Transport Management and Operational Challenges for Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators in Ghanaian Gold Mining Supply Chains”

Indoor air quality in university lecture halls has a direct impact on student health, cognitive performance, and learning outcomes, particularly in densely populated academic environments. Studies report that poorly ventilated classrooms can experience carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels exceeding 1,500 ppm, a threshold associated with reduced attention and decision-making performance, while particulate matter (PM₂.₅) concentrations in crowded indoor spaces may be 2–5 times higher than recommended limits during peak occupancy. In many developing regions, continuous air quality monitoring within educational buildings remains limited due to cost and infrastructure constraints. This paper presents the development of a real-time IoT-based air quality monitoring system designed specifically for crowded university lecture halls. The proposed system integrates low-power environmental sensors to measure key indoor air quality parameters, including temperature, humidity, and particulate matter, with real-time data transmission to a cloud-based monitoring platform. The system architecture emphasizes affordability, scalability, and ease of deployment within existing building infrastructure. Experimental deployment in representative lecture halls demonstrates the system’s ability to capture occupancy-driven air quality variations, with observed PM₂.₅ levels increasing by over 40% during peak lecture periods compared to unoccupied conditions. The results validate the necessity of continuous indoor air quality monitoring and highlight the system’s potential to support evidence-based ventilation management, improve indoor environmental quality, and enhance student well-being within smart university campuses. Strategies for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in sustainable construction projects:

Reliable spatial information on urban air pollution is essential for effective environmental management and sustainable urban development. This study modelled and interpreted the spatial distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, using remote sensing, geospatial analysis, Random Forest regression and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Sentinel-5P CO data were analysed alongside land surface temperature, NDVI, NDWI, NDBI, NDBaI and proximity to roads, infrastructure and industrial sites. A total of 10,000 valid samples were used for model development, with spatial cross-validation and independent testing applied to assess predictive performance. The model demonstrated good spatial generalisation. SHAP analysis showed that anthropogenic variables were more influential than land-surface factors, with road proximity emerging as the dominant predictor, followed by industrial and infrastructure proximity. Together, these anthropogenic variables accounted for 68.01% of total model importance. The novelty of the study lies in extending interpretable machine-learning assessment of urban air pollution in Kaduna to CO and quantifying the relative contributions of environmental and anthropogenic spatial drivers. The findings provide a basis for prioritising major transport corridors, industrial areas and infrastructure- intensive locations for targeted CO monitoring, traffic-emission control and industrial emission management. Unpacking the Constraints to Sustainable Rural Community Development: Perspective from Indigenous Settlement in South Africa Olusegun Oguntona1*, Omokolade Akinsomi2, Magnus Andersson3, Chijioke Emere1, Andreas Lundin4 1 cidb-Walter Sisulu Centre of Excellence, Department of Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering,

Digital Twin (DT) technology is becoming more relevant in engineering design and decision-making processes within the framework of Industry 4.0. While Digital Twin is fast becoming a widely adopted tool across the globe, it appears that there is little knowledge on the application of DT technology among engineers in developing countries such as Nigeria. The study assesses the extent of awareness, knowledge, perceived benefits, and challenges in adopting DT technology within Nigeria's engineering environment. This was done by administering a structured questionnaire to engineers in academia and industry from different fields of specialization. Based on Cochran’s formula, ninety-eight (98) respondents were selected, out of which seventy (70) were considered valid for analysis. The questionnaire included demographic information about the respondents, their professional backgrounds, the degree of their knowledge of DT concepts, and their level of awareness of the benefits and challenges. Descriptive statistics and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to examine differences between academic and industrial respondents. Findings suggest a significant difference in awareness: 84% of academics knew the term, compared with 51% in industry. Nonetheless, almost all respondents in each group reported a lack of DT-related education, suggesting that awareness is largely self- acquired. Furthermore, both categories considered the following benefits of DT to be the most valuable: real- time monitoring & control (mean=4.17), predictive maintenance (mean=4.11), and safety improvements (mean=4.07). Regarding adoption challenges, lack of awareness (mean = 4.29), limited technical infrastructure (mean = 4.14), and insufficient technical expertise (mean = 4.07) were identified as the most critical barriers. The results indicate critical gaps in the adoption of DT technology from awareness to implementation within the Nigerian engineering community. This study highlights the need for curriculum integration, capacity development, public-private sector partnerships, and conducive policy environments to enhance digital transformation both in the engineering industry and education in Sub-Saha

Sustainability problems in South Africa have been exacerbated by urbanisation, ineffective policy enforcement, and the presence of linear construction approaches. With a desire to achieve sustainability in the Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, the ideas of the circular economy (CE) and digitalisation have become vital means of improving project delivery. To this end, the current research analyses the impact of these two concepts on the implementation of sustainable civil engineering projects in South Africa. Quantitative research was conducted using questionnaires, and the data were analysed statistically. The results show that CE practices are used primarily at the construction stage, where material recycling, waste reduction, and prefabrication are the most common. At the same time, approaches such as LCA and modularisation are still not widely implemented. Furthermore, digital tools that can contribute to the efficient implementation of CE were identified, as well as obstacles related to the practical use of these two concepts. The study concludes that CE and digitalisation form an effective duo for achieving sustainability in civil engineering projects in South Africa. Integrating Energy and Water Efficiency in Hotel Buildings: A Nexus-Based Assessment from Ghana Rosemary Cobbinah1*, Daniel Yaw Addai Duah2, Gloria Osei - Poku3, Veronica Sakyi Adjei2,

Inconsistent local height reference systems continue to pose a critical problem for spatial analyses and disaster management, particularly in coastal cities. Vertical reference is vital for city planning, flood analysis, and engineering construction on Lagos Island, where coastal hazards and a lack of infrastructure, combined with rapid urbanisation, make the environment highly susceptible to frequent and devastating disasters. In this study, a high-accuracy local geoid model was computed for the study area (Lagos Island). The orthometric heights were obtained using spirit levelling, while the ellipsoidal heights were derived using a Promark2 GNSS receiver. A total of eighty (80) points that had both orthometric and ellipsoidal heights were used for model fitting, and 10 other control points that were not used for model fitting were used to evaluate the model. The geoid undulations were computed using a 5-parameter surface transformation model by solving a system of equations using the least squares method. The geoid undulation values ranged from +0.569 to -0.353 m, indicating that the study area is generally low-lying and coastal. An RMSE of 0.2156m and a standard deviation of the residuals of 0.2126m were found during validation. On removal of the two rogue points A6 and A7, the RMSE and the standard deviation of the residuals were reduced to 0.1126m and 0.0906, respectively. General decimeter-level accuracy was achieved across most of the survey network. The local geoid model derived for Lagos Island was found to be accurate. The integration of traditional and modern GNSS methods can establish a robust methodological knowledge system for coastal city planning. Beyond its immediate engineering value, the resulting model demonstrates how geodetic techniques could be repositioned as a basis for emerging predictive spatial-analytics and digital twin applications in disaster management in coastal areas, aligning this study with the wider sustainable built-environment research. Managing the Construction Workforce in the Age of AI:

Reliable information is essential for environmental assessment, disaster risk reduction, public health and local planning in Bangladesh, where ground observations remain spatially sparse. This study evaluated ERA5, MODIS, CHIRPS and GFS against contemporaneously matched observations from eight Bangladesh Meteorological Department stations using station pixel gridded data collected and analyzed for January 2019 – December 2022. Rainfall was retained as monthly accumulated precipitation and was not replaced with climatological means. Primary temperature and relative humidity analyses used complete cases, with isolated single month interpolation examined only in a sensitivity analysis. Performance was assessed using mean bias error (MBE), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), Pearson correlation, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman limits, 95% station year cluster bootstrap confidence intervals, paired tests, station level variability and extreme rainfall analysis. ERA5 performed best for temperature (RMSE = 1.30 °C, r = 0.972, CCC = 0.934) and relative humidity (RMSE = 5.19 percentage points, r = 0.808, CCC = 0.782), whereas GFS showed poor humidity agreement (CCC = -0.113). Rainfall RMSE was similar for CHIRPS and ERA5 (177.8 and 179.3 mm), although ERA5 had lower MAE (100.0 versus 121.6 mm; Holm-adjusted p < 0.001). Both products underestimated high rainfall months. Leave one year out quantile mapping improved temperature and ERA5 humidity but increased rainfall RMSE; the modest GFS humidity RMSE reduction did not restore meaningful temporal agreement (corrected CCC ≈ 0.02). ERA5 is therefore the most defensible source for temperature and humidity, while rainfall products require cautious, application specific evaluation. Urban Heat Island Trends Across Southwestern Nigeria Using Modis (2013– 2020)

Studies (CHES – CUCRID RESEARCH CLUSTER), Ota, Nigeria jesunifemi.akingbadepgs@stu.cu.edu.ng Therapeutic architecture in wellness resort design supports and enhances users' physical and mental well-being through principles such as natural integration, the use of art and colour, the provision of natural light and ventilation, and circulation patterns. The study aims to evaluate the application of therapeutic architecture principles and spatial circulation elements at Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate in Lagos, Nigeria, towards promoting mental well-being in resort design. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the integration of therapeutic architecture principles and spatial circulation elements in the resort’s layout and to examine the factors that promote healing and well-being in wellness resorts. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data. The research design is a case study where the research instruments are an observation guide and a structured questionnaire for data collection. Users of the resort are surveyed to measure perceptions of well-being in relation to therapeutic principles, spatial circulation elements, and the factors that influence well-being. Findings show that Connection with Nature, Multi-Sensory Design, and Integration of Artwork and Colour are the most strongly implemented therapeutic principles, while Direction, Hierarchy, and Flow is the strongest spatial circulation dimensions; Natural Ventilation records the lowest score, reflecting continued reliance on mechanical cooling. A factor analysis of 14 well-being items yields four underlying components: Emotional and Nature Connection, Social Belonging, Passive Control, and Mental Comfort, jointly explaining 87.88% of the variance, with Emotional and Nature Connection the dominant factor. The use of the therapeutic architecture principles significantly improves the well-being of the users of the space. This study will provide more information for architects on how to better design and integrate these principles in wellness resorts. Validation of Self-Healing Concrete and Critical Role

Many cities around the world are experiencing rapidly increasing population, where thousands of people are moving to urban areas yearly. Giving rise to identified challenges related to stretches in infrastructures, housing and resource management. The amount of waste generated within these cities has increased, as more people reside there. Sustainable urbanisation is seen as key to successful development, if these challenges are to be absorbed and solved. There is a need for adequate and sustainable waste management system via a strategy such as Circular Economy, a form of resource management that minimise and maximise the lifespan of any product or material. This study examines the efficiency of plastic waste collection adaptability with circular economy strategy practice for sustainable development, towards actualisation of the Africa Sustainable Development Agenda 2068. Primary data were obtained from residents of two towns in Ogun State Nigeria. This was done to obtain the respondent’s awareness and implementation of circular economy in plastic waste management. Descriptive statistic was used in analysing the data. The results showed the respondents having limited awareness and information availability on circular economy as strategy for waste management. Limited waste collection technology, awareness and lack of policy implementation availability in plastic management with circular economy within the studied area. The study recommends the active, enforcement and enlightenment by government agencies via program in the communities, to encourage a willful public participation in waste collection, overcoming the dread of circular economy implementation as solution to waste management. Housing Development Characteristics as Knowledge

Rapid urbanisation, population growth, and widening economic inequality continue to exacerbate South Africa’s urban housing crisis, particularly for households within the gap market that struggle to access formal housing programmes such as the Social Housing Programme (SHP) and the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP). As a result, many households increasingly turn to peri-urban areas as alternative spaces for accessing housing through self-help development. This study explores the role of peri-urban areas in driving self-help housing using Tea Estate in Inanda, within the eThekwini Municipality, as a case study. Anchored in neoliberalism and the enabling approach theoretical frameworks, the study adopted a qualitative methodology. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with self-help housing homeowners, municipal officials, and traditional leadership, supported by observations and document analysis. The findings indicate that peri-urban areas function as important knowledge-rich spaces for housing delivery, shaped by live experience, social relations, and traditional land governance systems. Accessible land, flexibility in housing construction, and the ability to maintain cultural and spiritual practices were key drivers motivating self-help housing. However, these advantages are accompanied by persistent challenges, particularly limited access to basic municipal services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and waste removal. Land access in Tea Estate is mediated through traditional authorities, who play a central role in land allocation and spatial organisation. In the context of an increasingly digital and data-driven built environment, the study highlights the continued importance of grounded, place-based and socially embedded knowledge in understanding peri-urban housing dynamics. Recognising peri-urban areas as strategic knowledge spaces can support more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable approaches to housing and land-use planning. Predicting Residents Thermal Comfort in Rural Mud Houses Using Machine Learning Classifiers Al Rafayet Rahman1, Md. Tafhimul Hasan1*, Md. Sojib Sheikh1, Md. Estiak Ahmed1,

Technology, Ghana *juanita.gasu@outlook.com Generative AI (GenAI) offers transformative potential for project management within the built environment, enabling automation of routine tasks, predictive analytics, and enhanced decision-making. In investigating factors influencing GenAI adoption in Ghana’s built environment, primary data from 89 project management professionals were analyzed using RII calculations, one-sample t-tests, and descriptive statistics. Findings reveal moderate awareness (RII = 61.40%), positive attitudes (RII = 61.60%–77.40%), but negligible adoption (Mean = 2.27–2.95, p < 0.05). This awareness-adoption gap persists despite universal recognition of GenAI's value proposition. Conceptual understanding substantially outpaces implementation-specific knowledge regarding regulatory requirements, integration needs, and cost implications. Contrary to conventional assumptions, knowledge-based barriers emerged as primary impediments, outweighing financial and infrastructural constraints. Strategic priorities emphasized cybersecurity, risk management, data governance, and training over structural formalization. The study concludes that bridging the gap in Ghana's GenAI adoption in the built environment requires coordinated interventions: structured education programs, organizational capacity- building, enabling policy frameworks, and context-adapted implementation strategies. The study addresses that gap by examining five interrelated questions in Ghana's built environment context: the level of awareness of GenAI tools and applications among project management professionals, their attitudes toward GenAI integration, the barriers most strongly constraining adoption, the application areas perceived as most relevant, and the strategic approaches considered most effective for successful integration. Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Project Cost Control Practices in the Construction Industry:

Studies indicate that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve cost estimation, reduce waste, predict project delay, streamline tendering processes, and analyse large datasets to provide data-driven insights. While AI offers promising solutions, its adoption within the Quantity Surveying practice in Lagos State, Nigeria is still limited; hence, this study. This paper examines the factors inhibiting and promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence in Quantity Surveying (QS) practice in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study employed a quantitative research method. Out of a total of 125 Quantity Surveying firms identified as the sampling frame, 60% (equivalent to 75 firms) were selected using a random sampling technique to ensure fair representation of the whole population. The data were analysed using frequency distribution, mean score and ANOVA. The results reveal that high implementation costs, resistance to change, uncertainty about returns, skill shortages, and weak regulatory frameworks are the critical factors inhibiting the adoption of AI in QS practice, while improved accuracy in cost estimation, competitive advantage, and data-driven insights are the strongest promoters of the adoption of AI in QS practice. The study concludes that AI has strong potential to transform QS service delivery, but overcoming financial, institutional, and cultural challenges is essential for its full integration. Development of a Real-Time IoT-Based Air Quality

Urban regions with inadequate infrastructure and poor living conditions, known as slums, are rapidly expanding in low-income cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh, due to urbanization, economic constraints, and high housing costs. Although previous studies have generally examined these comfort dimensions separately, limited attention has been given to identifying the key factors influencing both simultaneously in slum environments. This study develops machine leaning (ML) model: Artificial Neural Network (ANN); to identify and rank the factors affecting thermal and visual comfort (TVC) using four feature selection techniques: Random Forest (RF), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Lasso Regularization (LR), and Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE). A dataset comprising 400 winter-season observations and 25 demographic, environmental, behavioral, and housing- related variables was collected through field surveys and environmental monitoring. The optimized ANN models achieved an overall classification accuracy of 0.76 for both TVC prediction. While the four feature selection methods produced different rankings because they evaluate feature importance from different perspectives, several variables, including illuminance (lux), TVOC, humidity, kitchen location, clothing level, occupant density, and current location, consistently appeared as influential determinants. These findings provide practical evidence for occupant-centered strategies and support sustainable, climate-responsive housing design and environmental management in informal settlements. Human Dynamics Influencing Indoor

This semi-systematic review synthesises 30 learner-focused empirical studies published between 2022 and 2026 on higher-education learners’ use of large language models (LLMs), with particular relevance to Engineering and AEC education. Web of Science and ERIC were searched using core and process-focused query streams, followed by deduplication and staged screening. Four overlapping dimensions were identified: verification and evaluative judgement; metacognition and self-regulation; collaboration and feedback-oriented use; and interaction strategies involving prompting, iteration and dialogue. Across these dimensions, sense- making was associated with purposeful task framing, monitoring, checking, feedback-informed revision and justified decisions about generated outputs. Answer-getting was associated with transactional prompting, passive acceptance, limited checking and minimal revision. The paper contributes an evidence-informed concept-to-indicator framework to support AI-permissive task and assessment design and future process-based research in Engineering/AEC education. The University-Workplace Continuum:

Heritage buildings faced significant challenges in improving environmental performance due to strict conservation regulations that limit physical interventions. As a result, adaptation decisions are often based on qualitative assumptions rather than performance-driven evidence. This study demonstrates how a Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) workflow integrated with AI-supported environmental simulation can generate environmental intelligence to inform sustainable design decisions in conservation-restricted buildings. The case study focuses on Gedung Singa Surabaya, designed by H.P. Berlage, located in a tropical climate context and subject to strict limitations on façade and primary architectural modifications. A three- dimensional BIM model was developed to represent the building’s existing condition. The model was analysed using Autodesk Forma to evaluate solar exposure, daylight distribution, and their implications for passive design strategies. Simulation results indicate that the integration of HBIM and AI-supported environmental modelling enables the identification of low-performing environmental zones and predicts performance improvements resulting from minimal interior interventions. This process shifts conventional simulation from manually input data to a data-driven knowledge production mechanism for architectural decision-making. The study highlights the role of early-stage BIM-based simulation as a means of generating architectural knowledge in the digital era, bridging heritage preservation and building sustainability. The proposed workflow offers a replicable framework to support passive adaptation strategies in conservation buildings within tropical developing contexts. Building Information Modeling-Enabled Smart Contracts for the Construction Sector: A Systematic Review Mazen M. Omer1, Kherun Nita Ali1*, Benviolent Chigara2, Ahmad Faiz Azizi Ahmad Fauzi1,

Urban heritage conservation faces growing pressure from climate change, redevelopment, infrastructure expansion, tourism and uneven institutional capacity. Digital documentation, heritage building information modelling (HBIM), geographic information systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT) sensing and digital twins have improved recording and monitoring, but much current work remains asset-centred and technically fragmented. This paper develops a scalable socio-technical framework for digital twin-enabled smart urban heritage governance. An integrative conceptual review informed by design science synthesises 30 scholarly and technical publications published between 2020 and 2026, together with six international policy and guidance documents. The framework defines a heritage digital twin as a governed decision system rather than a static three- dimensional model. It integrates seven layers: physical heritage and risk; data acquisition; semantic knowledge; analytical intelligence; governance and accountability; community participation; and feedback and learning. Translation gates connect asset, district, city and regional scales while addressing uncertainty, value conflict, privacy, institutional mandate and public communication. Three illustrative stress tests demonstrate how the framework can be adapted to data-rich, data-scarce and rapidly redeveloping urban contexts. The study provides a structured basis for empirical testing, policy design and context-sensitive implementation. AI-Enabled Evolution of Material Intelligence: From Passive Properties to

South Africa shoopalah092@gmail.com This mixed-methods case study investigates property maintenance practices at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital Nurses Home in Namibia. Data from semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and descriptive statistics reveal predominantly reactive practices, resulting in frequent breakdowns, prolonged repairs, and low tenant satisfaction. Challenges include fragmented planning, inadequate funding, and limited expertise. The study advocates a shift toward proactive and preventive maintenance through scheduled programmes, training, and technology-enabled systems. Rather than being an actual system, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is suggested as a future application for data-driven decision-making and predictive maintenance. In the context of Agenda 2063 and sustainable housing discussions, the study suggests combining digital technologies with facilities management and presents a conceptual framework enabled by GenAI to assist tenant-centered, efficient, and resilient public housing maintenance in developing nations. By analysing operational bottlenecks at the municipal and institutional levels, the research highlights how traditional facilities management frameworks fail to keep pace with accelerating infrastructure decay. Modernising this sector requires addressing chronic funding deficiencies through strategic public-private partnerships, alongside institutionalising specialised technical training to build local capacity. Furthermore, leveraging GenAI-driven platforms enables automated work-order generation, intelligent resource allocation, and real-time tenant feedback processing, directly aligning local infrastructure strategies with global sustainability agendas. By establishing a scalable digital blueprint, this research provides healthcare administrators and public housing authorities in developing nations with an actionable roadmap. Transforming neglected public quarters into sustainable, resilient living environments ultimately safeguards public health investments, enhances tenant well-being, and supports the broader socio-economic goals outlined in Africa’s Agenda 2063. Ranking the Determinants of Adaptive Reu

The rapid adoption of digital technologies into agribusiness operation systems has continued to draw attention towards the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies to enhance day-to-day business operations, agribusiness infrastructure delivery and farm operations tasks. However, there are limited research works have been conducted to study organizational readiness, workforce digital skills and trust factors associated with GenAI adoption within agribusiness. This research study determined GenAI readiness and workforce digital skills among agribusiness professionals in infrastructure delivery and farm operations, and examined the moderating effects of GenAI trust on the relationship between workforce digital skills and GenAI adoption. This study employed a quantitative research methodology and distributed self-administered questionnaires among practicing professionals in the agribusiness infrastructure delivery and farm operation tasks. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the data using SmartPLS 4.0. The study findings showed that there is a very low GenAI readiness level among agribusiness operation system professionals. The results also demonstrated that workforce digital skills significantly determine GenAI adoption while Generative AI trust showed no statistically significant moderation on the relationship between workforce digital skills and GenAI adoption. This study advances Human Capital Theory by focusing on workforce capability towards technology adoption. Pedagogical Responses to Generative AI in Architecture Education in Southeast Nigeria Udochukwu Marcel-Okafor Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Imo State, Nigeria umarcelokafor@gmail.com The emerging prominence of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in architecture education, particularly studio-based learning spaces has disrupted existing learning patterns. In Nigeria, this shift presents conspicuous potentials as well as constraints influenced by local socio-economic settings, infrastructural limitations, and existing design practices. Consequently, this study sought to investigate how generative

Rapid urbanization and increasing climate variability are intensifying vulnerabilities in urban transport systems across African cities, threatening mobility continuity and infrastructure reliability. Conventional GIS-based overlay approaches support hazard visualization but remain limited in capturing the nonlinear interactions and network interdependencies that drive systemic vulnerability. This study develops a GeoAI-based spatial inference framework that reconceptualizes transport climate vulnerability as a probabilistic, network- embedded process rather than an additive spatial representation. The framework integrates environmental exposure, infrastructural sensitivity, and adaptive capacity within a machine-learning architecture that explicitly incorporates transport network topology. The modelling workflow combines data harmonization, network- based feature engineering (including centrality and redundancy metrics), and machine-learning inference to generate continuous vulnerability surfaces. The framework is demonstrated through its application to Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town to illustrate its transferability under contrasting climatic and infrastructural conditions. The methodological demonstration indicates that incorporating transport network topology within probabilistic inference enables the consistent identification of structurally critical transport corridors across contrasting urban contexts. By formalizing vulnerability assessment as an inference-driven, network-aware process, the study provides a transferable GeoAI methodology for climate-resilient transport planning in data-constrained urban environments. Housing Quality Research Methodologies in Nigeria:

Zambia michael.mutale@cbu.ac.zm Rapid urbanisation in developing countries poses significant threats to land cover integrity and ecological sustainability. This study assesses Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) dynamics in Kitwe District, Zambia, over a twenty-year period (2004–2024) using multi-temporal Landsat imagery processed through Google Earth Engine (GEE). Supervised Random Forest classification was applied to five benchmark years, achieving overall accuracies of 86.8%–93.2% (Kappa: 0.80–0.91). Results reveal a 60.8% decline in dense vegetation (36,380 ha to 14,261 ha) and a 174.4% expansion of built-up areas (5,746 ha to 15,768 ha), driven by urban growth and artisanal mining encroachment. Post-classification change detection in ArcGIS Pro identified woodland and dense vegetation cover fragmentation and encroachment into protected areas as dominant processes. These findings provide quantitative geospatial evidence to guide urban planners and policymakers in sustainable land management in Kitwe and comparable mining towns in sub-Saharan Africa. Assessment of energy-efficient features for building designs in the

Peri-urban neighbourhoods in rapidly urbanising African cities are shaped not only by demographic pressure but by the characteristics of housing development that structure how space is produced, organised, and experienced. This paper examines how housing influences neighbourhood growth patterns in the peripheral settlements of Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, conceptualising housing as a knowledge system through which residents respond to urban expansion, displacement, and infrastructural change. The study integrates spatial and qualitative methods. Spatial data were derived from Google Earth historical imagery (2004 to 2024) to visualise neighbourhood expansion, densification, and spatial reorganisation. These data complemented focus group discussions with 40 long-term residents across selected peripheral settlements. Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, while spatial patterns were examined through visual interpretation and trend analysis across four growth epochs. The findings show that neighbourhood growth in Makurdi's periphery is strongly shaped by incremental housing expansion, rising density, architectural modernisation, material transition, and infrastructure-led development. Residents' narratives reveal how housing improvements signal permanence, attract in-migration, and redefine neighbourhood identity. The paper argues that housing development characteristics function as practical knowledge systems that actively shape peri-urban neighbourhood growth, and that recognising these dynamics is essential for developing context-sensitive planning frameworks and future GenAI-supported analytical tools for sustainable neighbourhood transformation in secondary African cities. The Effect of Pulverised Natural Pozzolana as a Partial Replacement for Portland Cement (CEM I) on

Housing quality (HQ) research in Nigeria is expanding due to the housing crisis and rapid urbanisation. Yet critical methodological reviews are rare. Most Nigerian HQ studies rely on varied, non-standardised indicators and cross-sectional surveys that seldom assess measurement validity or bias, making study comparability and policy implications uncertain. Our systematic scoping review evaluates conceptualisations, research designs, indicators, and methodological rigour across 48 (2000-2024) Nigerian HQ studies using the PRISMA-ScR framework. Results reveal a heterogeneous evidence base that is largely conceptually ambiguous, with inconsistent indicator frameworks, limited validation, and weak links to the national housing policy and sustainability frameworks. We propose a 4-pillar benchmark framework focusing on conceptual clarity, indicator harmonisation, methodological rigour, and policy relevance to enhance future HQ measurements. A Critical Literature Review of Generative AI’s Impact on

Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, ndoum@uj.ac.za This study looks at the opportunity for improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) within public universities via human dynamics management. Even though a variety of factors influencing IAQ standards in universities have been discussed in the past, the current research assumes that effective understanding and management of human dynamics could be instrumental for achieving the desired results. Based on a post-positivist epistemology towards knowledge, a quantitative research design was adopted. Data were obtained from academic and administrative staff in public universities in South Africa using a structured questionnaire. A total of 17 human- dynamics influencing variables were determined through this study. Using descriptive statistical methods and exploratory factor analysis, four main latent factors have been identified as follows: Personal Environmental Interaction Factors; Human Performance and Well-being Factors; Human Adaptation and Susceptibility Factors; and Physiological Response Factors. From a practical point of view, the results of this study can help managers of IAQ within universities to consider incorporating knowledge about such human dynamics into the IAQ management process. The study also makes a theoretical contribution to the field in the sense that it helps fill one of the gaps within the IAQ literature, that is, the need to focus on human dynamics within the infrastructure of higher education. It should also be noted that considering human factors when making decisions in terms of spatial planning and facilities management would lead to better comfort, performance, and well-being of the staff. Evaluating Technical Performance And Resident Satisfaction In Lagoshoms Public Housing Estates Olasunmbo Ademakinwa1*, Edward Oladigbolu1, Babatunde Adeyemi1, Oluwole Alagbe1, & Oluwole Ajayi1 Department of Architecture. Caleb University, Imota-Lagos State, Nigeria. olasunmbouberuademakinwa@gmail.com Resident satisfaction for housing quality, is a crucial measure strongly linked to the technical performance of such residential structures. However, residents' expectations

This descriptive survey examined the impact of GenAI-powered adaptive learning environments on student- centred learning outcomes in built environment education in South East Nigerian universities. Guided by two research questions and one null hypothesis, data were collected using a convenience sample of 1000 respondents through validated structured questionnaire (QGALESCLOBEE), with a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.84 and were administered by the researchers and five assistants. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation and t-test statistics at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed implementation challenges as constant technical disruptions, limited software access, institutional resistance, limited digital literacy and lack of awareness about GenAI's benefits. It further revealed significant impacts on student-centred learning outcomes, including personalized learning pathways, fostered active learning and problem-solving, accommodation of diverse learning styles such as visual, auditory, delivery of actionable insights for instructors, and development of industry-specific technical proficiency. The study concluded that GenAI-powered adaptive learning environments can revolutionize student-centred learning outcomes in built environment education by personalizing learning, fostering engagement, supporting diverse styles, and building industry-relevant skills. It recommended that universities should invest in reliable, high-speed internet infrastructure and up-to-date software; educators should integrate personalized pathways, active problem-solving and diverse learning styles into curricula. Pedagogical Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Construction Technologies in Quantity Surveying and Construction Management Education in Nigeria Arijeloye, Bamidele Temitope1, Ramabodu, Stephan Molusiwa2 and Chikafalimani, Samuel Herald3 Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying,

Johannesburg, South Africa. mpimwusu@atu.edu.gh In construction, small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) working in dynamic, resource-constrained contexts are increasingly recognised as critical to project performance. The multidimensional Adaptive Success (ADS) framework, which combines outcome-based performance metrics with implementation skills, was developed and validated in this study. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to analyse quantitative survey data from 400 construction professionals. The findings validate a two-dimensional framework consisting of Financial/Outcome Requirements (FUR) and Successful Implementation (SUI). While FUR records performance outcomes such as cost-effectiveness, client satisfaction, social capital, environmental quality, and job satisfaction, SUI incorporates innovation-oriented learning, skill development, access to resources and technology, and continual improvement. Effective implementation capabilities greatly improve project outcomes, as demonstrated by the high positive correlation between SUI and FUR. The results emphasise the importance of innovation, ongoing education, and access to resources in fostering adaptive success. This study provides a verified, practitioner-focused approach that goes beyond conventional performance indicators to support better project delivery and long-term competitiveness for construction SMEs. Implementing Circular

Sustainable construction materials are essential for reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector, yet innovation in this field remains slow and fragmented. This paper examines how fragmentation shapes the early-stage development of an ash-based concrete innovation within the AshCycle project, and how academic boundary spanning helps navigate these boundaries. Using a qualitative technical case study, the research combines 43 autoethnographic journal entries with 15 semi-structured interviews with academic, industry, and government actors. The findings show that fragmentation occurs at multiple levels: within academia itself, between academia and industry, and between innovators and funders. At the same time, academia uses boundary spanning activities such as knowledge transfer, networking, coordination, and leveraging professional networks to bridge these divides. By linking fragmentation and boundary spanning in early-stage material innovation, the paper contributes a more nuanced understanding of how sustainable construction innovations develop in fragmented environments. Occupants’ Energy-Efficient (EE) Habit and Environmental Concerns:

Achieving sustainability in hotel buildings in developing economies requires moving beyond fragmented interventions towards integrated systems thinking. The energy-water nexus has emerged as a critical response for understanding resource interdependencies within the built environment, particularly in resource-intensive sectors such as hospitality. However, sustainability interventions are implemented in isolation, overlooking systemic interactions amid resource efficiency. This study presents a nexus-based assessment of interdependencies between energy and water efficiency in Ghana’s hotel sector on stakeholder perception. A cross-sectional survey was used, administering a structured questionnaire to 247 stakeholders (152 built environment professionals, 48 regulators, 47 hoteliers) across three regions of Ghana. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, relative importance index and one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) in SPSS v23 and digital and AI tools were analysed thematically. Findings show latent but real demands for Gen-AI-assisted tools, with 72% of respondents valuing digital tools broadly and 23% explicitly citing AI, particularly for structuring fragmented paper records and generating a simulated base assessment of energy –water trades rather than design guidelines specifically. The findings reveal strong stakeholder consensus that energy and water systems are interdependent yet strategies remain limited. Key constraints include a fragmented regulatory framework, insufficient stakeholder coordination and cost perceptions. Thematic analysis of stakeholder demand for digital tools found that 72% of respondents valued digital support broadly and 23% explicitly cited AI, particularly for structuring fragmented paper records and simulating energy-water trade-offs. The data underscore the demand for assessment tools and policies that address the integration of generative AI tools into hotel development in Ghana. The paper concludes that policy and industry must leverage stakeholder consensus to a nexus-informed performance by offering empirical evidence from a developing country to the global discourse on the energy-water nexus. Integrating Geospatial Analytic

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has increased the complexity and uncertainty of urban planning, exposing limitations in traditional approaches to manage informal settlements, infrastructure deficits, housing pressure, environmental risks, and climate. The review examined emerging integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI), and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in sustainable urban planning. Using a qualitative conceptual review approach, the study synthesises contemporary literature on GIS, GeoAI, planning support systems, urban informatics, AI governance, and sustainable urbanism. The review highlights the complementary roles of GIS, GeoAI, and GenAI in enhancing spatial analysis, predictive modelling, urban scenario generation, synthetic data creation, spatial visualization, participatory planning, and evidence-based decision-making. The study argues that the effectiveness of GIS– GenAI integration depends not only on technological advancement but also on institutional capacity, data quality, ethical governance, transparency, and human oversight. The paper further proposed an integrative GIS– GenAI planning framework comprising six iterative stages: data acquisition, GIS processing, GeoAI predictive analysis, GenAI-assisted scenario generation, planning interpretation and policy translation, and feedback validation. The paper contributes to emerging debates in urban informatics and smart city governance by advancing a governance-oriented conceptual framework for responsible AI-assisted urban planning and sustainable urban development. Mitigating Ineffective Building Information Modelling Execution Plans:

Water supply reliability in high-rise residential buildings is shaped more by architectural design decisions than by the type of conservation technology installed. In Lagos, where municipal water supply is effectively absent, every high-rise building must function as a self-contained water supply system. This study investigates how water sustainability strategies including supply infrastructure, storage configuration, operational management, and conservation measures influence user comfort in four high-rise residential buildings in Victoria Island, Lagos. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) framework was applied using methodological triangulation of resident questionnaires (n = 80), structured observational audits, and semi-structured facility manager interviews. Three composite performance indices were computed: the Composite Efficiency Index (CEI), Composite Satisfaction Index (CSI), and Operational Stability Index (OSI). Results show that the building with accessible pump rooms, layered storage provision, and a preventive maintenance regime recorded the highest scores on all three indices, with the difference statistically significant for efficiency and suggestive for operational stability, though not for satisfaction. Strikingly, the building with the most conservation infrastructure performed worse than the one with the simplest but best organised water system, showing that technology variety does not compensate for poor architectural integration. The study proposes a three-layer framework, covering hydraulic performance, redundancy and buffering, and operational integration, as a guide for embedding water sustainability strategies that genuinely improve user comfort. Diagnosing Environmental Drivers of Carbon Monoxide Concentration in

The construction industry's digital transformation has not prevented numerous construction projects from experiencing cost overruns. This study aims to investigate the integration patterns of artificial intelligence (AI) into project cost control (PCC) processes within the construction industry over the past decade. Research on cost control practices with AI integration was extracted from the Scopus database over the period of 2015 to 2025. The VOSviewer text-mining tool was utilised to examine the connections within PCC and AI practices in the construction sector. The study found three clusters for the index keywords: Cluster 1: Construction project management and machine learning; Cluster 2: Artificial intelligence in cost control; and Cluster 3: Construction cost. The results presented the top ten authors, the top five countries, and research themes, with Egypt receiving the most citations and India producing the most documents on AI integration in PCC discussions. In practice, researchers can quickly identify key authors, influential journals, and topical areas related to AI in PCC research, thereby promoting more similar research. Construction professionals can use these findings to assess best practices and explore AI cost-control innovations. This study improves understanding of AI integration in PCC within the construction industry by identifying key concepts and consolidating research to aid effective project cost management. Workplace Stressors, Mental Health and

Excellence, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa; & School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. deborahadewale03@gmail.com The construction industry in developing countries continues to face various challenges, especially regarding resource availability, cost, and the need for sustainability. This has led to the need for frugal innovation as a strategic intervention. This study sought to evaluate the key drivers for the implementation of frugal innovation in the construction industry in Nigeria. A literature review was conducted to establish the key drivers for the implementation of frugal innovation, which was used to design a questionnaire for construction industry practitioners using a convenience sampling method. A total of 110 responses was retrieved from google forms and hardcopy questionnaires. Quantitative findings were analysed for results using descriptive statistics, mean item scores, and exploratory factor analyses. The findings revealed four clusters that are principal to the successful implementation of frugal innovation, which are innovation facilitators, organisational synergy, operational optimisation, and efficiency enablers. These clusters are significant in ensuring frugal innovation best practices are implemented in an organisation. The findings further demonstrate that construction stakeholders and senior management play a pivotal role in enabling frugal innovation through strategic decision-making, organisational alignment, and the promotion of cost-effective and context-responsive solutions. Theoretically, this study extends frugal innovation beyond the manufacturing and consumer product context by identifying a four-cluster factor structure specific to the construction industry. This study proposes a framework for analysing and implementing frugal innovation in the Nigerian construction sector, offering practical insights into critical success factors suited to local industry conditions. By promoting resource efficiency, affordability, and inclusive innovation, this study contributes to the sustainable development of the construction industry and is also in line wi

Knowledge management (KM) has emerged as a critical determinant of organisational performance and competitive advantage in professional service firms within the built environment. Although KM practices are known to be important, there is limited empirical evidence on the implementation, constraints and strategic use of in Quantity Surveying (QS) firms in Nigeria. This study examines the nature of KM practices, assess the constraints and evaluate the strategic implications of KM practices to enhance service delivery of QS firms in Nigeria. The method of data collection was based on a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire with all 14 registered QS firms QS firms in Oyo state, Nigeria. 42 copies of a questionnaire were sent out and 32 were returned (a 76% response rate) using total enumeration sampling. The main constraints are difficulty locating relevant knowledge (MS 4.66), poor inter-staff cooperation (MS 3.81), and inadequate internal communication (MS 3.75). Strategically, respondents identified standardisation of processes, reuse of expertise, and improved service delivery speed as the most significant benefits of effective KM. The study concludes that formalisation of knowledge sharing, investment in digital management systems and institutionalisation of continuous professional development are crucial to the gap between recognition and implementation in the Nigerian Quantity Surveying practice. GeoAI Framework for

The implementation of green construction principles aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce long-term operational costs. This study employs a life cycle cost analysis to evaluate the investment feasibility of green construction components compared to conventional counterparts for 50 years’ service life. This research was conducted as a case study at Prof. Dr. Mahar Mardjono National Brain Center Hospital in East Jakarta. The methodology utilizes an economic analysis approach based on the net present value of both green and non- green construction components. The specific green components analyzed were solar panels and low-E glass. which were compared with grid electricity and clear glass. respectively. The cost analysis encompassed the initial investment, operational, maintenance, and replacement costs for the building's 50 years lifespan. Calculations were based on April 2025 discount rate of 5.75%, The results indicate that the total life cycle cost for solar panels was IDR 58,146,342,513, while the life cycle cost for low-e glass was IDR 42,371,161,357. In contrast, the total life cycle cost for conventional grid electricity was IDR 224,168,074,476, and clear glass amounted to IDR 78,688,007,051. A comparative analysis reveals that the solar panel system yields savings of IDR 166,021,731,963 (74.06%) cost reduction) compared with grid electricity. Similarly, low-e glass results in savings of IDR 36,316,845,694 (46,15%) cost reduction compared with clear glass. These findings demonstrate that green construction offers significant long-term economic benefits and is financially viable for buildings with extended operational lifecycles, such as hospitals. Integrating Water Sustainability Strategies to Enhance User Comfort in High- Rise Residential Buildings in Lagos,

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) plays an important role in determining comfort and this is more pronounced in low-carbon walling material like Machine-Pressed Earth Blocks (MPEBs) buildings. Despite the growing interest in sustainable buildings, IEQ is usually assessed using indicators that conceal differences in occupants’ experiences (subjective measurement) in buildings. This study unearths these inequalities by examining the relationship between occupants’ satisfaction and demographic characteristics in relations to the key IEQ parameters. Thermal Comfort, visual comfort and lighting comfort were evaluated through systematic crosstabulation between IEQ variables and demographic characteristics. Gender, age, education level and years of residency were the demographic characteristics assessed. The results reveal a clear disparity with IEQ satisfaction particularly with thermal comfort. Descriptive statistics and graphical visualisation were employed to show the relationship pattern. Inferential statistics were explored using association-based measures (e.g., chi-square tests) to support the interpretation of the observed patterns. P-value show significant relationship between them while Cramer’s V shows the strength of the relationship. Sex (gender) revealed a moderate to not significant (p = 0.114; V = 0.188) with thermal comfort, age group was significant (p < 0.001; V = 0.288 – Moderate), level of education was also significant (p < 0.001; V = 0.319 – Moderate), alongside years of residency significant (p < 0.001; V = 0.288 – Moderate). Acoustic and visual (lighting) comfort demonstrated uneven performance across the groups. The study highlights the significance of demographic characteristics in IEQ assessment and provides evidence for inclusive framework and occupant-centred evaluation for sustainable buildings in warm-climate contexts. Resilient Architectural Practices for Sustainable Urban Residences Futures to Achieve Agenda 2063 in

This study systematically investigates how Extended Reality (XR) technologies support cultural heritage projects, yet their integration with structured project management frameworks remains poorly understood. Using a PMBOK Sixth Edition-based meta-classification framework covering process groups and knowledge areas, this research examines 127 peer-reviewed publications published between 2015 and 2025 and retrieved through the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The results identify prevailing trends, uncover research gaps, and outline future research avenues, including the finding that Virtual Reality is the dominant medium, XR use is concentrated in the Executing and Planning process groups (54.3% and 27.6% respectively), and Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is present in fewer than one-fifth of publications. Key gaps—including the near absence of Cost Management research, near-absent Initiating coverage, the complete absence in the Closing process group, and the lack of standardized HBIM workflows—point to significant opportunities for interdisciplinary research and practice. By framing these absences as concrete opportunities, this review provides a structured empirical baseline for researchers and practitioners seeking to embed XR technologies within coherent, lifecycle-oriented project management practice in cultural heritage. Exploring the Use of Generative AI in Project Management in the Built Environment in Ghana Juanita Seyram Gasu1*, Gilbert Selase Decker1, Kezia Nana Yaa Serwaa Sackey1

the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa ntebon@uj.ac.za Planning civil engineering projects is important for achieving the expected time, cost and quality outcomes of infrastructure delivery. However, recurring project delays and cost overruns in South Africa continue to raise concerns about the adequacy of existing planning practices. This study assessed measures to improve project planning and examined how these measures form broader areas of planning capability. A quantitative questionnaire was completed by 163 built environment professionals in Gauteng Province. The data were analysed using mean item scores, standard deviations, reliability testing and exploratory factor analysis. All 23 measures received high ratings, with proper project planning and scheduling ranked first (MIS = 4.90). The scale yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 0.910, and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.851, along with a significant Bartlett's test, confirmed the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Principal component analysis with a direct oblimin rotation yielded six factors, accounting for 64.103% of the cumulative variance. These factors covered planning and execution practices, project management success, risk and dispute management, strategic collaboration and procurement, technology-enabled design readiness, and technical capability. The findings show that improved project planning depends on the combined application of managerial, collaborative, technical and digital measures. Identification and ranking of key factors associated with construction material procurement process using Random Forest– Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) H.H.A. Prasad Hemantha1, K.G.A.S Waidyasekara1, N. L. S. Uduwage Don1, R.K. Shiwakoti2

University of Johannesburg, South Africa oisazoje@gmail.com1* ebekoandy45@yahoo.com2, 3 Global application of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) across all human endeavours, including the education sector, has yielded unprecedented outcomes in data mining, information access, interactions between humans and machines, research outputs, and socioeconomic and environmental predictions. Despite the benefits of Gen-AI to educational systems and a review of Polytechnics and Universities' architecture curricula in collaboration with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), there is a lack of Gen-AI adoption in architectural pedagogy. This study examines the integration of Gen-AI into the Nigerian Architectural Education and Training (NAET) to achieve Agenda 2063. The researchers employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, using purposive and snowball sampling to recruit 65 participants from 2 polytechnics and universities. They include 36 architecture students, 24 lecturers involved in the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercises, and 5 ARCON officials. The study reached saturation with the 40th interviewee, and the analysis was organised into 2 themes. The findings revealed that Gen-AI is not incorporated into the NBTE and NUC-CCMAS curricula for teaching architecture students. Gen-AI enhances research outputs, generates innovative designs, images, and texts, and maximises students’ potential, entrenching lifelong skill acquisition. However, it can compromise research quality and induce laziness among users. This study offers suggestions for ARCON, as a practice regulator, and for NBTE and NUC, as education regulators, on integrating Gen-AI into NAET curricula and advancing Agenda 2063. Students’ Awareness and Use of Digital Technologies: Accelerating Progress in Digital Preparedness among

This paper examines the relationship between building occupants’ energy-use behaviour and their environmental concerns across two contrasting national contexts, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The relationship between energy-use behaviour and environmental sustainability concern has received limited attention in the literature; this study therefore investigates whether building occupants share comparable energy-efficiency (EE) habits and levels of environmental awareness across countries. Drawing on a post- occupancy evaluation (POE) survey of occupants in ten case-study office and university buildings five in Nigeria and five in the UK the study used an online, self-report questionnaire to compare occupants’ behaviour, environmental awareness and concern in relation to their interaction with installed building services. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed and 166 were returned (valid n = 163; an 82% response rate). Data were analysed using aggregate frequencies and relative index analysis (RIA), and non-parametric statistics comprising Spearman’s rho (rs) rank-order correlation (two-tailed), Pearson’s chi-square (reported as the likelihood ratio) and Cramér’s V. The results indicate a positive correlation between occupants’ intention, habit, awareness and willingness to help reduce building energy use in both countries. Occupants’ knowledge of building energy use was high in both countries, but this did not translate into comparable awareness of building energy-efficiency performance (BEEP) or of buildings’ carbon footprints. Awareness of climate change correlated with EE habit at rs = 0.512, while awareness of BEEP correlated with EE habit at rs = 0.448, both significant at the 5% level. No statistically significant difference was found between the two countries in occupants’ EE habits or environmental awareness. The findings imply that strengthening occupants’ awareness of building-specific energy-efficiency performance not only generates climate-change awareness but offers owners, facilities managers and policymakers a practical, low-cost lever for reducing building energy use and carbon emissions in both developed and developing contexts. Assessment

The increasing heat stress in tropical warm-humid climates underscores the need for low-energy cooling strategies, especially in low-income and informal settlements where mechanical cooling is not economically viable. Courtyard houses have been widely used as a passive cooling technique, but poorly designed courtyards have been shown to actually contribute to increased heat gain instead of heat loss. The current study examines the effects of courtyard geometry and opening configurations on natural ventilation and thermal comfort inside buildings. Field measurements were conducted over 10 days, and CFD simulations using the RANS model were performed for 7 courtyard and opening configurations, including airflow alignments and open-to-sky exhaust strategies. The results show that the best performance was achieved with the longitudinal and bidirectional cross-ventilation and open-to-sky exhaust strategies, resulting in ambient cooling of 1.5–1.8°C, higher indoor air speeds of 0.45–0.55 m/s, reduced heat transmission, and higher thermal adaptability, as defined by ASHRAE Standard 55 for adaptive thermal comfort. In contrast, misaligned airflow paths and exhaust strategies led to recirculation and stagnation, raising temperatures above ambient. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the airflow paths that make a poorly designed courtyard ineffective and will offer useful guidelines for using natural ventilation and open-to-sky exhaust strategies to improve thermal comfort and reduce cooling loads in tropical-climate buildings. Urban Housing Redevelopment and Gentrification of Lagos Metropolis:

Implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) remains a major challenge for modernizing the construction sector in Africa, where adoption still lags significantly behind that of developed countries. This situation is frequently attributed to the complexity of BIM, a notion that often combines both structural barriers and psychological apprehensions among construction stakeholders. The objective of this study is to analyze the factors explaining the low adoption of BIM in Côte d’Ivoire by distinguishing perceived complexity from actual barriers, while examining the potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to reduce this perceived complexity and facilitate BIM adoption. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a literature review, a questionnaire survey administered to Ivorian construction professionals, LinkedIn polls, and a real-life case study. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics in order to identify and rank the factors influencing BIM adoption. The findings reveal that although real barriers such as costs, skills shortages and the absence of regulatory frameworks remain significant, their effects are amplified by an exaggerated perception of complexity. Resistance to change, fear of digital tools and uncertainty regarding BIM benefits appear to play a major role in limiting adoption. The results therefore suggest that perceived complexity constitutes a critical explanatory factor alongside structural barrier. In this context, GenAI emerges as a promising catalyst for BIM adoption. By simplifying software interactions through natural language interfaces, automating repetitive tasks and supporting users in learning and decision-making processes, GenAI has the potential to reduce perceived complexity and facilitate digital transformation in the construction sector. The study concludes that combining BIM and GenAI could present a significant opportunity for accelerating the modernization of the construction industry in Côte d’Ivoire and, more broadly, across developing countries. A BIM-Integrated Artificial Intelligence Framework for Automated Design Specification Compliance and Monitoring in Construction O

The accelerating generation of waste tires, exceeding one billion end-of-life tires annually worldwide, poses critical environmental and public health challenges. This study investigates the performance of crumb rubber (CR) derived from waste tires as a modifier in 60/70-grade bituminous concrete produced by the wet process. Crumb rubber was incorporated at 2%–14% by weight of bitumen. Standard characterization tests, including penetration, softening point, ductility, and flash/fire point, were conducted on conventional bitumen; penetration, softening point, and ductility were repeated for all modified samples. Marshall Mix Design was performed at a constant Optimum Bitumen Content (OBC) of 4.5%, established for the conventional mix and held fixed to isolate the effect of rubber content. The optimum rubber content was 10%, yielding a Marshall stability of 1042.5 kg, an 84% improvement over the conventional mix, while meeting all specification limits. The original laboratory investigation was conducted at Wah Engineering College (2013–2017); this paper's contribution is to re-examine those results against the current 2025–2026 global CRMB literature — including AI-driven optimization, nanotechnology integration, damping performance, and circular economy policy — and to interpret them specifically within Pakistan's developing-economy pavement and waste-management context. This paper presents crumb rubber modified bitumen as a technically sound, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable option for flexible pavement construction in developing economies, while acknowledging the study's laboratory-scale limitations. Rethinking The Barriers to The Development of Green Buildings in The Global South: A Study from Ghana Matthew Kwaw Somiah1*, Frederick Owusu Danso2, Isaac Yaw Manu3, Jeriscot Henry Quayson4 , Benjamin Kodjo Aidoo5, and Michael Kofi Biney6 1,3,5,6 Faculty of Built and Natural Environment, Takoradi Technical University, Ghana 1, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa 1, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology, Walter Sisulu University, East London,

The need to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in students’ housing facilities remains a growing concern in Nigerian universities. The use of emission-prone building materials and consumer products by hostel occupants is commonly associated with the accumulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde (CH₂O) in students’ hostels. Long-term exposure to these pollutants may negatively affect students’ overall well-being. This study investigated the combined effects of selected indoor plants as a passive phytoremediation strategy for reducing total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and formaldehyde in naturally ventilated university hostels in Northeastern Nigeria. A quantitative experimental design was adopted involving six female hostel rooms. Indoor environmental parameters were measured using a TUYA WIFI air quality monitor before and after the introduction of five indoor plant species, including Chlorophytum comosum (Spider plant), Ficus elastica (Rubber plant), Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo palm), Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake plant), and Nephrolepis exaltata (Boston fern). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings revealed baseline mean TVOC and CH₂O concentrations to be from 195–210 μg/m³ and 8–15 μg/m³, respectively. Following plant introduction, mean TVOC and CH₂O concentrations reduced to 164–176 μg/m³ and 8–15 μg/m³, corresponding to reduction rates of 15.8–16.2% and 1.0–2.2%, respectively. ANOVA results showed no statistically significant differences in TVOC and formaldehyde concentrations among the rooms (p > 0.05). The findings indicate that indoor plants can moderately improve IAQ by reducing TVOCs but are less effective for formaldehyde removal under low- concentration conditions. Indoor plants are therefore recommended as a complementary, low-cost IAQ intervention alongside improved ventilation in university hostels. Classifying Floor Level Based on Human Comfort and Environmental Parameters Using Machine Learning Approaches for a Sustainable Indoor Analytics G. M. Rahad1, Jobayer Hossain1, Md. Hasan1, Md. Iktekar Alam Imran1, Md. Fardin Al Shafik1*, Md.

Plywood is widely used in reinforced concrete construction for slab and beam formwork, but its temporary nature results in significant material wastage that remains under-researched in SME construction projects in Sri Lanka. This study examines plywood usage and wastage patterns in slab and beam formwork within five SME construction projects, using a qualitative multiple case study approach based on semi-structured interviews with project managers, quantity surveyors, technical officers, supervisors, and formwork carpenters. Cross-case analysis identified usage practices, waste generation patterns, reuse strategies, and management challenges across the projects. Respondents estimated plywood wastage at approximately 5–10%, with offcuts from cutting operations reported as the dominant waste type, and boards typically reused 3–4 times before disposal. Labour handling, stripping practices, inadequate supervision, and storage constraints were identified as the main perceived causes of waste. Wastage was rarely measured directly; most projects instead relied on assumed allowances during procurement. The findings point to improved supervision, material handling, storage, and cutting layouts as ways to extend reuse cycles and reduce waste, supporting resource efficiency and circular economy practices in SME construction. Residents’ Perceived Knowledge of Urban Sustainability Challenges in Selected Lagos-Ogun Peripheral Settlements Funmilayo M. Adedire1*, Daniel T. Ogungbemi2, Abiodun A. Okunlola3, Sunday A. Bobadoye4 Department of Architecture, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria 1, 2, 3 Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria sabobadoye@futa.edu.ng The spontaneous, largely unplanned developments in the periphery of African cities have resulted in unsustainable urban features and developmental challenges. This study assessed residents’ perceived knowledge of urban sustainability challenges in Lagos-Ogun peripheral settlements. A cross-sectional research design was adopted using a multistage sampling technique. Using this method, four settlement clusters located within the Lagos-Ogun periphery, namely Arepo, Magboro, Ibafo, and Mowe, were

Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh tafhimul.onedesk@gmail.com Thermal comfort in rural, naturally ventilated mud houses plays a vital role in enhancing productivity, general well-being, and climate-resilient housing. This study examines the advanced prediction models used through Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to predict residents’ thermal comfort based on both in-situ measurements and surveys. Emphasizing interaction between occupants and their surroundings, focusing on natural ventilation instead of mechanical systems, and employing SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) to identify the most significant predictors of perceived comfort. A dataset of 500 residents from Kapasia, Gazipur, Bangladesh, including 24 environmental, physical, and demographic features (e.g., indoor/outdoor temperatures, humidity, indoor CO₂, room area, room height, age, gender, etc.) was collected through digital devices and questionnaires. The models (i.e., Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), and XGBoost) were trained using GridSearchCV hyperparameter tuning and cross-validation. Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F1-score and classification report were also used for evaluation. Each of the three ML models achieved an accuracy of over 80%, demonstrating their strong classification performance. According to SHAP analysis, age as well as outdoor temperature, and outdoor wall temperature have the greatest impact on how comfortable people feel, highlighting the crucial role that envelope thermal behavior plays in these homes. These findings contribute to explainable thermal-comfort modeling for rural mud houses and provide useful guidance for passive design, material selection, and ventilation strategies to support resilient, occupant-centered housing in low-income tropical contexts. Comparative Evaluation of Housing Delivery Models in Gauteng Metropolitan Municipalities:

Against a backdrop of South Africa’s lack of sustainable affordable housing in South Africa, high levels of spatial inequality, and low developer margins, the study examines the potential of tunnel formwork to provide sustainable and economically viable affordable housing. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines survey data from built-environment professionals with desktop analyses of municipal planning frameworks, project financial models, and Lightstone Property transactional datasets. The empirical findings reveal a clear implementation gap: although interest in sustainable construction methods is high, local technical knowledge remains low. Specifically, 70.8% of surveyed professionals have never visited a tunnel formwork site, and 65.2% report limited familiarity with the system. Major strengths include the widespread focus of developers on upfront capital cost reductions over schedule acceleration, despite the high upfront shuttering costs of R25,000/m² being a significant barrier. Secondary data explains this paradox by showing that tunnel formwork yields a net cost advantage of 5.9% to 13.0% only when achieving a repetition threshold of 450 to 500 reuses. However, 47.8% of developers rely on phased, piecemeal construction methods that prevent reaching this scale. When combined with land constraints, bulk infrastructure backlogs, and regulatory delays under SPLUMA, the planned projects become unaffordable for the target market. The study concludes that tunnel formwork cannot succeed as an isolated technical, it requires an integrated, multi-stakeholder delivery system. To make this operational, municipalities should release well-located serviced land and streamline planning approvals. Concurrently, national government needs to offer upfront concessional financing, equipment grants, regional demand aggregation, and accredited artisan training to achieve the required scale and local technical capacity. Effect of Varying Coconut Shell Ash and Eggshell Powder Blend Ratios on Oxide Compounds Matthew Kwaw Somiah1*, Mohammed Deen-Halis Zebilila2 Frederick Owusu Danso3, Isaac Yaw , Manu4, John Bentil5, Wilberforce Adjei Sakyi6 1,3,4,5 Faculty of Bui

South Africa 2,3 Department of Real Estate, University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, Ghana. IrukaA@dut.ac.za Amid growing concerns about climate change, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality (IEQ), real- time feedback systems have emerged to control sustainable energy consumption behaviours in commercial buildings. However, there remain an empirical gap to assess how behavioural feedback mechanisms perform in shopping malls in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on Social Cognitive Theory, the study assessed the interactive effects of digital displays on shopper’s energy-conscious choices without sacrificing their thermal comfort. Based on survey of 1,750 shoppers across two major shopping malls Ghana: Accra and Kumasi, fixed effect regression model was adopted to determine behavioural changes, comfort levels, and energy performance metrics by zone. The findings showed that the digital feedback systems led to immediate positive behaviours, such as shorter stays in energy-intensive zones and more time spent in naturally ventilated areas (0.075, p = 0.045). Energy use ranged from 1.45 to 4.95 kWh, high traffic footfall (0.045, p = 0.017), stemming from differences in cooling demands, lighting setups, and equipment use. However, the study cautions against over- reliance on novelty. User engagement with digital systems must be supported with co-designing feedback systems with shoppers to improve usability and adaptability of energy systems in shopping malls. Artificial Intelligence in Smart Urban Planning: Bibliometric Insights for Ghana’s

Many cities in emerging economies are facing significant climate-related vulnerabilities, including rising temperatures, flooding, urban heat islands, erosion, and high carbon footprints. In developing nations like Nigeria, where these massive crises are predicted and experienced, their impacts render existing residential neighbourhoods vulnerable and uninhabitable, thereby posing a threat to Agenda 2063 if not addressed urgently. Innovative practices may not only reduce environmental and spatial impacts but also improve infrastructure resilience. This study explores resilient architectural practices (RAPs) for sustainable urban residence futures (SURF) in Nigeria, to achieve Agenda 2063 Aspirations. RAPs entail a passive climate design approach that includes adaptive façades, reflective building materials, solar shading devices, and daylight benefits. Others comprise optimising natural ventilation, extended roof eaves, deep verandas, optimal building orientation, and nature-based solutions. The researchers adopted a phenomenological qualitative research approach. Data collected via online open-ended questions administered to 40 architects, purposively selected from 3 major Nigerian cities, attained saturation with the 32nd participant. The elicited data were analysed and discussed in two themes. The findings showed passive, inclusive design principles, adoption of vernacular architectural style, climate-adaptive materials (CAM), and responsive management were RAPs for SURF. The study highlighted an iterative design process, robust policies linked to Agenda 2063 and the political will to enforce construction and environmental standards. Prioritising passive design and adopting elements of Nigerian traditional architecture in the construction of modern homes and the retrofitting of existing ones were emphasised. Integrating climate-responsive practices into academic curricula, licensure requirements, benchmarking housing plans, and partnering with built environment experts were advocated to advance Agenda 2063 for Nigeria's urban residences future. Organic

This paper explores how sufficiency can reframe urban development pathways in Africa, with a focus on Lagos, Nigeria, within the context of climate change, carbon budgets, justice and planetary limits. Drawing on World Sufficiency Lab principles and emerging debates in global climate governance, it argues that dominant narratives of “sustainable development” rarely address the core question of how much is enough, for whom and at what cost. The paper develops a dual understanding of sufficiency that addresses both excess consumption and conditions of deprivation. This is particularly relevant in Nigerian cities where housing shortages, infrastructure deficits and limited access to basic services coexist with patterns of overconsumption and speculative development, including underutilized luxury estates, energy-intensive commercial buildings and prestige infrastructure in cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, alongside informal settlements and energy poverty. Using carbon budgets as an ethical and policy lens, the paper situates Nigeria’s urbanization within planetary limits while recognizing differentiated responsibilities. It engages climate justice perspectives and argues that urban growth should be guided by use value, social need, and ecological responsibility rather than speculative or extractive logics. Consequently, sufficiency is positioned as a conceptual and epistemological framework for African urban development that enables necessary growth while questioning excess. The paper contributes to closing an educational and knowledge gap in Nigeria, where sufficiency and carbon justice remain underexplored. Degree of Integration of Sustainable Features in Retail Properties in a Sub- Saharan Property Market Matthew Oluwole Oyewole1*, Feranmi Barnabas Oguntolu1, Funmilayo Moyinoluwa Araloyin1 and

The study of man-environment relationship in the global south has continued to receive attention, yet studies on the relationship between sense of community (SOC) and housing conditions in Nigeria's urban slums remain scarce, despite the deficient housing quality and quantity that characterises the core areas of Nigerian cities. Improving sense of community, the bond individuals develop with their community and culture - a key determinant of a sustainable environment, could facilitate citizen participation in community development activities. This study investigated sense of community in Oke-Foko, a traditional setting in inner-city Ibadan, using household survey data from 856 houses. The results revealed that only half of the respondents had a sense of community in their home environment. The expression of affective bond dimension is higher than social interaction dimension. In addition, general satisfaction with house and neighbourhood, availability of social amenities and facilities, presence of digital infrastructures, length of stay, and economic benefits are the highest predictors of sense of community in the core area. The implications of the findings are that strategies that improve social amenities and facilities, and digital inclusion in the community should be improved. Furthermore, the economic benefits derived by residents from their community should be enhanced for them to develop and sustain sense of community, which invariably enhances their participation in pro-environment activities. A Comprehensive Framework for Affordable Net Zero Housing: Identifying and

Energy efficiency in office buildings is pivotal to Africa’s sustainable development agenda. In Ghana, improving building performance aligns with AU Agenda 2063’s vision for resilient infrastructure and resource-efficient cities. This study evaluates the energy performance of three existing office buildings in Ghana (CSB 1, CSB 2, and CSB 3) strategically selected across Ghana’s distinct sub-climatic zones (coastal, forest, and savannah). Whole-building energy models were developed in eQUEST software and calibrated against 2022 monthly electricity utility records. The simulation models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 14 statistical criteria, achieving Coefficient of Determination (R2) values of 0.908, 0.752, and 0.948, and Coefficient of Variation of the Root Mean Square Error (CV(RMSE)) values of 12.24%, 14.84%, and 16.32% for CSB 1, CSB 2, and CSB 3 respectively. Each validated baseline model was subsequently assessed under five energy efficiency modification scenarios. Baseline Energy Performance Index (EPI) values were established at 131.84 kWh/m²/yr. (CSB 1), 114.31 kWh/m²/yr. (CSB 2), and 132.31 kWh/m²/yr. (CSB 3). Sensitivity analysis revealed that integrating combined active and passive efficiency strategies yielded the most substantial optimisations, reducing EPI values to 117.18 kWh/m²/yr., 103.52 kWh/m²/yr., and 114.18 kWh/m²/yr., respectively. These reductions represent individual annual operational energy savings of 11.12% for CSB 1, 9.45% for CSB 2, and 13.70% for CSB 3. By establishing calibrated empirical baselines across distinct microclimates, this research contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable building practices in sub- Saharan Africa by addressing the tropical building performance gap and providing an evidence-based framework for targeted retrofits. A Human-Centric Governance Framework for Responsible Human-AI Collaboration in The Built Environment Systems: Integrating Human and Machine Epistemologies Within Industry 5.0

Africa Zamageda.Zungu@wits.ac.za Post project evaluation is promoted as a mechanism for accountability, learning, and performance improvement in infrastructure delivery. However, limited empirical evidence explains how such evaluation is institutionalized in South African water and sanitation delivery, or the extent to which existing practice aligns with recognized evaluation frameworks. Informed by organizational learning theory and institutional theory, this study examines post project evaluation as a learning practice shaped by organizational routines, formal mandates, capacity, and governance arrangements. The study benchmarks post project evaluation practice in the Department of Water and Sanitation National Office and Gauteng Regional Office against the OECD DAC criteria, ISO 21500 guidance, and the World Bank Implementation Completion and Results approach. A quantitative survey design was used. An online questionnaire was distributed to departmental personnel involved in planning, implementation, oversight, close out, or evaluation of water and sanitation infrastructure projects. The final analytic sample comprised 35 respondents. Survey items were aggregated into indices measuring institutionalization, stakeholder inclusion, confidence in evaluation effectiveness, and awareness of benchmark frameworks. Descriptive statistics and regression modelling were used to assess reported practice and examine associations between perceived enablers, barriers, and post project evaluation outcomes. Findings show that post project evaluation remains weakly institutionalized, with limited stakeholder inclusion, low confidence in evaluation effectiveness, and limited awareness of benchmark frameworks. Reported constraints include time pressure, limited capacity, compliance-oriented routines, reputational concerns, and weak systems for capturing and retrieving lessons. The study contributes a context specific South African empirical baseline for PPE alignment in water and sanitation infrastructure delivery and identifies practical reform priorities for strengthening evaluation governance, lesson management, stakeholder participation, and future project delivery. Assessme

Urban arterial roads in low- and middle-income countries combine high traffic mobility with intense pedestrian activity, yet conventional safety assessments often aggregate crashes over long sections and may conceal localized risk. This study applies a corridor-based exploratory spatial data analysis framework to 203 pedestrian- involved injury and fatal crashes recorded from 2021 to 2023 on a 6.8 km section of J. A. Kufuor Avenue in Accra, Ghana. The corridor was divided into consecutive 100 m segments. Global Moran's I assessed corridor- wide spatial dependence, while Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) identified local clusters and outliers. A first-order, row-standardised contiguity matrix linked each segment to its immediate upstream and downstream neighbours; significance was evaluated using 999 random permutations at p < 0.05. Global Moran's I was not statistically significant (I = -0.020, z = -0.63, p = 0.36), but the local analysis revealed concentrated high-burden segments. High-High segments represented 13% of the corridor length but contained 31% of crashes, 51% of fatalities and 36% of injuries. Field observations associated priority locations with underused crossing facilities, public-transport stopping activity, roadside trading, poor lane balance, faded markings and high-speed approaches. The study contributes a reproducible corridor-screening framework that combines global and local spatial statistics with site diagnosis. It supports targeted engineering treatment while recognising that exposure data and segmentation sensitivity should be incorporated in future studies. Competitive Strategy and Organisational Performance in Quantity Surveying Firms: A Sustainability-Oriented Assessment in Nigeria’s Built Environment Diekolola Abiola-Ogedengbe1*, Molusiwa Stephan Ramabodu1, Nathaniel A. Olatunde1,

Rwanda tinyjaph21@gmail.com The construction industry faces significant pressure to embed sustainability across all project stages while remaining slow to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI). This study investigates strategies for AI adoption in sustainable construction projects, drawing on empirical evidence from consultancy and contracting firms. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey of 106 professionals and analysed through descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), the Mann-Whitney U test, and principal component analysis (PCA), the research identifies investing in education and training, determining the right dataset, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration as the highest-priority AI adoption strategies. Statistically significant differences between consultants and contractors were found for site safety enhancement, deploying complex algorithms, implementing and integrating AI, and investing in high development costs. The PCA identifies four components explaining 72% of total variance. The findings shift focus from adoption barriers toward actionable, empirically grounded strategies applicable to construction practice and policy. Sustainability-Driven

Digital technologies are revolutionizing the way construction work is done. Presently, digital technologies are being incorporated in construction globally, thereby replacing conventional construction methods with Construction 4.0 processes. With rapid technology adoption in the construction industry, the digital preparedness of upcoming construction professionals is critical to ensuring the sector's continuous growth and competitiveness. Therefore, this research aims to assess the awareness and use of digital technologies, as well as the determinants of their adoption, amongst future construction professionals in Nigeria. The quantitative research method was used with a questionnaire administered to 125 undergraduate students. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the data obtained using IBM SPSS Statistics 27. Findings indicate that respondents exhibit moderate-to-high awareness but low use of construction-relevant digital technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), drones, robotics, and mobile applications. Factors inhibiting adoption of digital technology were predominantly knowledge- and skills-related, thereby hindering participants' digital preparedness for future professional practice. This study concludes that measures should be put in place to bridge the gap between students' awareness and adoption of digital technologies. The recommended measures are reform of construction curricula, improved digital infrastructure, capacity-building for lecturers, and effective collaboration between the university and industry stakeholders. Quantity Surveying Students as future industry leaders: Competencies requirements in the era of Artificial Intelligence in an emerging economy Emmanuel Eze1*, Onyinye Sofolahan2, Olayinka Omoboye3, Rex Ugulu4 Department of Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, Teesside University,

Existing subsidy allocation approaches for emission reduction from non-road construction equipment (NRCE) primarily prioritize projects based on criteria such as cost-effectiveness and emission reduction potential. However, these approaches generally overlook contractors' baseline probability of undertaking the proposed investment prior to the subsidy intervention. This may lead to the additionality problem where subsidies are allocated to projects that may have proceeded even without government support, or with a lower level of assistance, thereby reducing the potential for limited public funds to induce additional emission-reduction investments. To address this issue, this study develops a static game-theoretic model to estimate the contractor's baseline investment probability at the subsidy application stage, when the government's subsidy decision is uncertain. The applicability of the proposed baseline investment probability is demonstrated using data from seven non-road construction equipment replacement projects under the Emission Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) Program. The results show that incorporating the baseline investment probability changes project prioritization compared with the conventional cost-effectiveness criterion. The proposed metric provides complementary information for project selection and has the potential to support more effective subsidy allocation while reducing the likelihood of additionality. Plywood Usage and Wastage in Slab and Beam Formwork:

The rising rate of fatalities in the construction industry underscores the dangers workers are exposed to and the absence of innovative technologies. Hence, this study aims to determine the success factors of wearable technology adoption on construction sites in Nigeria, to enhance the health and safety of workers and other stakeholders. A post-positivist philosophical approach guided a quantitative research methodology employing a questionnaire survey for this study. The population comprises professionals with health and safety certifications working on construction sites in Lagos State. Using snowball sampling, 360 questionnaires were distributed online and in person; 164 copies were retrieved, screened, and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The ranking of the success factors reveals that developing a clear implementation plan, establishing a cross-functional implementation team, providing comprehensive training and support, and ensuring data privacy and security are the primary strategies for adopting wearable technology. PCA clustered the variables into four categories: Operations and Continuity, Site-Related, Personnel Motivation, and Top Management Success Factors. This study provides a roadmap to overcoming the challenges of adopting wearable technologies; moreover, it makes a valuable contribution by contextualising wearable technology research within the Nigerian construction industry through the evaluation of key adoption strategies. An Interpretable Machine Learning Framework for Structural Material Intensity Assessment of

African hospitality industry plays a great role in the economic growth of Africa, and consumes lots of energy, water and materials, which put a tremendous strain on the environment. The study was of a mixed methods research design, comprising of a structured questionnaire (N = 300) and semi-structured interviews (N = 24) in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used for the quantitative component of the data collection, which were given to hotel managers, sustainability coordinators, and technical staff. Semi- structured interviews were held with architects, hotel managers and facilities managers during the qualitative phase. Descriptive and inferential statistics like ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings show that South Africa is the top performing country in sustainability and regenerative practices, with Kenya performing very well in water conservation, waste management and community inclusive practices. Nigeria is a moderate adopter due to mostly financial constraints, limited technical skills, and weak policy incentives. The qualitative results corroborate with quantitative results, with leadership commitment, organizational culture, community involvement, technological innovation and growing consumer demand being significant enablers. The study finds that sustainability is becoming more widespread in the African hotel industry but the process of moving towards a built world that is regenerative and net positive is still in its early stages and is context dependent. The Uneven Geographies of Cooperative Societies in Sub-Sahara African Megacities: Evidence from Lagos, Nigeria Adewumi, B.J.¹, Asaju, O.A.², Onamade, A.O.3, Oluwamodupe Grace4, and Adegbile, M.B.O.⁵ ¹²3 Department of Architecture, College of Environmental Sciences and Management, Caleb University, Imota,

Ensuring good health and well-being is one of the core Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aims to support healthy lives and well-being for people of all ages. This involves providing affordable and environmentally friendly medical services to the public, fairly and equitably. The integration of digital technologies into healthcare environments is transforming healthcare delivery globally. However, public hospitals in Nigeria continue to face challenges associated with inadequate infrastructure, inefficient spatial planning, poor environmental quality, and limited adoption of digital healthcare systems. This study examined the role of digital technology and interior design in promoting sustainable healthcare delivery within orthopaedic wards of selected public hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining questionnaire surveys, observation, interviews, and literature review. Data were collected from 50 respondents comprising patients, caregivers, and healthcare personnel. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings revealed that adequate space provision (68%), effective lighting (68%), ventilation (58%), staff digital competence (72%), technology- enabled communication (76%), electronic medical records (78%), and reduced service delays (78%) significantly contributed to improved healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction. However, privacy, furniture comfort, and ward layout efficiency were identified as areas requiring improvement. The study concludes that integrating digital technologies with evidence-based interior design strategies enhances healthcare sustainability, operational efficiency, patient recovery, and user satisfaction. The study recommends the incorporation of digital design standards into healthcare policies, investment in smart healthcare technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Spatial Characteristics of Pedestrian Crashes on an Urban Arterial Road: A Case Study of J. A. Kufuor Avenue, Accra,

In the tropical climate of Lagos, Nigeria, cultural buildings rely heavily on artificial environmental controls, leading to high energy consumption to achieve good indoor environmental quality that could otherwise be achieved through climate-responsive design. This study investigates the influence of building envelope of art centers on the users’ spatial experience in selected art centers in Lagos. The study used structured questionnaires administered to art centre users across six art centre using total enumeration sampling technique, yielding 75 responses. Data was analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, principal component factor analysis (Varimax rotation) and categorical regression (CATREG). Eight climate-responsive design factors and eight spatial experience factors were extracted via principal component analysis. It was revealed from the regression model, eight climate-responsive design factors, which explained 32.4% of the variance in user satisfaction of their spatial experience. Among these eight, ‘Building Envelope and Context’ is a statistically significant individual predictor of spatial experience. These results suggests that the building envelope remains a strong individual factor for influencing human-building relationships and spatial comfort in tropical regions, in the era of generative design and AI-driven predictive analytics. It also suggests that spatial experience is shaped by the joint contribution of several climate-responsive strategies. It provides critical knowledge towards sustainable development and Agenda 2063, particularly Goal 7. Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Green

The construction industry continues to invest in digital technologies, yet their adoption remains slower than expected. Although extensive research has identified barriers to digital transformation, limited attention has been given to how responsibility for slow adoption is assigned within the academic literature. This study examines the “blame game” surrounding digital transformation in the construction industry by investigating who or what the literature identifies as responsible for adoption difficulties. Using 1,500 Scopus-indexed publications published between 1989 and 2026, the study employs bibliometric and text analysis to examine adoption barriers across five dimensions: technological, human, organizational, institutional, and systemic. The findings show that institutional factors receive the greatest research attention, followed by technological and organizational factors, while systemic barriers also feature prominently. These findings challenge explanations that place primary responsibility on inadequate technologies or resistance among construction professionals and organizations. Instead, the literature portrays slow digital adoption as a multifaceted problem shaped by the interaction of technology, people, organizations, institutions, and the wider structure of the construction industry. The analysis also reveals a substantial increase in research on digital adoption barriers since 2021, highlighting the growing importance of this issue. By examining where responsibility for adoption difficulties is placed, rather than simply listing barriers, this study provides a different perspective on digital transformation in construction. The findings can help researchers, practitioners, and policymakers develop responses that address the broader conditions shaping technological transformation rather than focusing on individual barriers in isolation. Nigerian Architectural Education Training and Adoption of Gen-AI Epoch to Achieve Agenda 2063 in

Johannesburg , South Africa *tshepo@mkandtc.co.za The negative environmental impact (carbon emissions) of cement production and the rising cost of cement warrant investigating the inclusion of other naturally occurring materials as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. This study investigated the use of pulverised natural pozzolana as a partial replacement in the production of concrete. The effect of natural pozzolana on concrete properties was compared with that of fly ash, an artificial pozzolana. Concrete cubes were cast with mixes prepared by using pulverised natural pozzolana and fly ash to replace 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 50% of Portland Cement (CEM I), by mass, in the concrete mixes. The workabilities of the fresh concrete mixes were evaluated using the slump test, while compressive strengths of concrete cubes were determined at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days. No trend was observed in the workabilities of the samples containing fly ash (relative to the control sample). The workabilities of the concretes with the natural pozzolana were slightly higher than those with fly ash, reaching an increase of 21 % (compared to the control sample) at 20 % replacement. In the compressive strength tests for both natural pozzolana and fly ash, increasing curing time (1 to 90 days) generally increased strength at each replacement percentage. Hence, natural pozzolana can be used to partially replace CEM I in producing concrete with different strengths for housing development, thereby contributing positively to sustainable development. What project managers need to know about geotechnical investigations in the case of housing developments

The Quantity Surveying (QS) profession operates within high-pressure environments that demand technical precision, ethical judgment, and effective stakeholder engagement. While technical competencies are well established in QS practice, limited empirical research has examined how personality traits influence professional success, particularly within the South African construction sector. This study explores the personality trait profiles of Quantity Surveyors in South Africa and examines practitioners' perceptions of how these traits contribute to professional success, using the Big Five Personality Traits Model as the theoretical framework. A mixed-methods research design was adopted to capture both measurable trends and in-depth professional experiences. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to thirty practising Quantity Surveyors across candidate, intermediate, and senior professional levels. Qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews with nine participants, allowing for deeper exploration of behavioural competencies, stress management, and career development. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse survey responses, while thematic analysis was applied to interview data. Participants identified conscientiousness as the personality trait most strongly associated with professional success in QS practice, supporting accuracy, reliability, and accountability in QS practice. Emotional stability also emerged as critical for managing stress and maintaining performance under demanding project conditions. Extraversion and agreeableness were found to be moderately associated with successful practice according to participants, through enhanced communication, negotiation, and teamwork. Openness to experience ranked lowest overall, reflecting a preference for established methods, although adaptability and innovation were recognised as increasingly important in a digitalising construction industry. The findings suggest that practising Quantity Surveyors perceive personality traits, particularly conscientiousness, emotional stability, communication capability, and adaptability, as important c

Abstract. The relationship between university preparation and workplace competence in construction education remains a persistent concern amid rapid digital and professional transformation. This study investigates how South African Construction Management and Quantity Surveying graduates experience their preparation, transition, and early professional development. Seven semi-structured interviews were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis, generating six themes spanning theoretical foundations, digital preparedness, situated competence, transition shock, professional identity, and experiential learning. Findings show that theoretical preparation provides necessary scaffolding but does not translate directly into workplace readiness; digital competence, leadership, and stakeholder negotiation instead emerge through situated professional experience. All participants described transition shock, with experiential and mentored learning identified as the most effective mechanisms for moderating this discontinuity and accelerating professional confidence and identity formation. The study advances a university-workplace continuum model conceptualising graduate readiness as progressive, relational, and co-produced, offering an original, empirically derived contribution with direct implications for curriculum reform, industry collaboration, and professional formation in the South African built environment. Generative AI Literacy, Use and

Commercial Shops experienced fire outbreaks in Ghana, and in the proliferation of Malls within the Greater Kumasi Metropolis, this study assess the readiness in the event of fire. Qualitative approach using a closed- ended interview and observational studies to collect data. The assessment focused on materials for construction, location, vehicular movement and staff knowledge on the use of safety equipment. Inadequacies in case of fire outbreak in Active and Passive control preparedness was revealed. Kumasi City Mall was the most prepared and the China Mall was the least. The Malls were located within recommended distance from a fire station (2.4Km-4 Km). The awareness of staff on the use of fire safety equipment was high, except China Mall. State institutions must collaborate with others to enforced regulations on safety and embed routine drills into mall safety management. The scope should be expanded to other regions. Sustainable Healthcare Delivery through Digital Technology: focus on the Interior Design of Orthopaedic Wards in Public Hospital Buildings in Ekiti State, Nigeria Titilayo Elizabeth Adewumi¹*, Aminat Olorunfunmilayo Ajenifujah-Abubakar¹,

Ghana is experiencing rapid urban expansion, placing increasing pressure on urban green space (UGS) and urban green infrastructure (UGI). Despite recognition of their ecosystem service benefits, integration into statutory land use planning and governance systems remains limited. This study presents a systematic review and descriptive meta-analysis of peer-reviewed literature on spatial patterns, planning responses, and institutional arrangements influencing UGS and UGI in Ghana. Using the PRISMA protocol, 39 studies were identified, with 10 Ghana-focused studies informing the primary analysis. Results reveal that UGS and UGI are spatially fragmented, inequitable, and declining under urban development pressure. Although statutory planning instruments such as the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act (2016) exist, their implementation is constrained by weak enforcement, institutional fragmentation, and customary land governance systems. Institutional arrangements are characterised by overlapping mandates and limited coordination capacity. The study proposes an integrated governance framework linking spatial patterns, planning instruments, and institutional design, offering policy-relevant insights for improving urban sustainability planning in Ghana and comparable Global South contexts. Utilization of Fly Ash and Silica Sand Waste for Sustainable Construction: An Experimental Study Muhammad Reyhan Alvanda1*, Casy Almia Putri2, Monika Natalia3, Ilham Ahmad Syauki4 1,2,3,4Construction Engineering Management, Civil Engineering Departement, Politeknik Negeri Padang, Indonesia 1*muhammadreyhanalvanda@gmail.com The escalating global carbon emissions necessitate a transformation in the construction sector toward net-zero practices, specifically through the adoption of environmentally friendly materials. This study evaluates the feasibility of utilizing industrial by-products fly ash and waste silica sand as concrete constituents. Leveraging the pozzolanic properties of fly ash and the high silica content of waste silica sand, this research aims to partially substitute cement and fine aggregates to mitigate reliance on natural resources. The mix design was formulated in accor

Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) are intensified in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding cities. This paper uses MODIS satellite data (MOD11A2 for Land Surface Temperature and MOD13A2 for NDVI) to explore urban thermal behavior in Akure, Ondo, Osogbo, and Benin City over 2013–2020, during dry and wet seasons. The aim is to examine changes in surface temperature and vegetation over time across the four cities, identify high-temperature zones, and determine how vegetation helps reduce heat in urban areas. Google Earth Engine was used to process the MODIS land surface temperature and vegetation datasets. Land Surface Temperature was analysed by extracting daytime LST values and computing monthly and annual means for each city. Vegetation conditions were assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and mean NDVI values were calculated to show the level of vegetation cover across the study area. To estimate Urban Heat Island intensity, the difference between the mean urban LST and the mean LST of surrounding rural areas was computed. Zonal statistics were used to summarize LST and NDVI values for each city boundary, while heat-zone maps were generated by classifying surface temperatures into categories such as low, moderate, and high heat zones. This approach enabled the identification of temperature hotspots and the evaluation of vegetation’s moderating influence on urban temperatures. LST increased steadily, especially in dry seasons, with Benin and Ondo recording the highest values. NDVI declined across all cities, with Benin showing the greatest vegetation loss. Hot zones (≥307.15 K) expanded to a spatial extent, while Akure maintained resilience due to stronger vegetation buffers. Knowledge Management Practices, Constraints and Strategic Implications in Quantity Surveying Firms:

Road infrastructure has suffered from several problems of deterioration, cracking, and expensive maintenance. Rigid (concrete) and flexible (asphalt) pavements are susceptible to minor cracks under gradual loading and environmental stress, resulting in costly repairs and reduced service life. This study explores self-healing concrete (SHC) and recycled plastic materials as sustainable alternatives to improve the durability and environmental performance of road pavements. The aim is to evaluate the mechanical properties of both materials, compare the cost analyses, and assess long-term durability. The research employs a mixed-methods approach: it incorporates ANSYS Finite Element Analysis of self-healing concrete to assess mechanical properties and crack-healing capacity, while a systematic secondary-data literature review critically examines the role of recycled plastics in road design & construction. The critical review of recycled plastic’s role largely focuses on using it as a partial binder replacement, examining performance, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility. ANSYS Finite Element Analysis results demonstrated that SHC enhanced strength recovery and crack resistance compared to NC and recycled plastics, especially HDPE and PET, which offer enhanced rutting resistance, reduce binder demand, and provide notable waste diversion benefits. However, potential problems include the limited ability of larger cracks in SHC to be repaired, the environmental risks of microplastic release, and compatibility issues with plastic-modified asphalt. These outcomes promote cost- effective, resilient, and eco-friendly infrastructure solutions aligned with the sustainable development mission. The objective is achieved, and the study validates the research gaps through monitored experiments of SHC and consolidates recent research on recycled plastics relevant to South Africa. The recommendation is that self- healing concrete should not only be used in roads but also in high-risk, high-volume rigid pavement infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and tunnels, where maintenance costs are usually high, so that SHC can minimise them. Integrating SHC and recycled plast

South Africa prisca.simbanegavi@wits.ac.za Green buildings are increasingly promoted as instruments for advancing environmental sustainability. However, evidence shows that many certified green buildings experience performance decline over time because of maintenance neglect, technological obsolescence, and short-term investment priorities, raising concerns about their long-term value. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as a complementary strategy by integrating ecological processes into commercial buildings to improve environmental performance and asset resilience. Despite these benefits, uncertainty remains regarding how NbS create value in commercial real estate, particularly in emerging markets. This study examines how NbS contribute to value creation within Johannesburg's commercial office market using a qualitative case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen built environment professionals selected for their expertise in commercial office development, sustainability, property management, valuation, and investment. Thematic analysis, guided by the Triple Bottom Line framework with an additional strategic investment dimension, identified four interconnected themes. Environmental performance demonstrated how NbS improve operational and lifecycle efficiency through reduced resource consumption and improved building performance. Economic value creation showed that these operational improvements strengthen long-term asset resilience and investment value. Social value and occupant well-being revealed that healthier and more attractive workplaces enhance tenant appeal and market competitiveness. Finally, investor confidence and market perception illustrated how NbS strengthen ESG alignment and improve strategic investment positioning. The findings demonstrate that these four themes collectively represent complementary value-creation mechanisms rather than isolated outcomes. The study concludes that NbS provide a viable pathway for sustaining green building performance while strengthening investor confidence and long-term commercial property value. The paper recommends integrating NbS into mainstream commercial property inves

Johannesburg, South Africa georgef@uj.ac.za Geotechnical investigations for housing developments are critical. Often, these are either not carried out or conducted inadequately, negatively affecting the project across the planning, design, construction, and post- construction phases. In addition, there is an apparent disconnect between geotechnical information and project management activities, which may result in delays, cost overruns, design modifications, and even poor construction (leading to cracking of walls, buckling of door and window frames, other defects, or even failure, resulting in a loss of serviceability). This paper employed a qualitative secondary research methodology to provide an overview of geotechnical investigation requirements for housing developments, in accordance with the relevant South African codes and specifications. In this context, it includes the extent of the field investigation, the appropriate tests to be conducted, the minimum number of tests, and the quality control (acceptance or rejection) of results from commercial laboratories. Thereafter, the types of problem soils in South Africa and their potential negative consequences on housing foundations are discussed. This includes their geographical occurrence, identification and nature. The appropriate methods of analysis are also summarised, leading to the classification of soils according to the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) Site Classes. Finally, the founding options for the different classifications are presented. Other important information not covered by the guidelines that Project Managers need to be aware of is also highlighted. The information in this paper is intended to give project managers an overview of geotechnical investigation requirements and problem soils, with the aim of improving decision-making throughout the project life cycle, thereby reducing uncertainty, project time overruns, and costs, and increasing housing quality. Residents' Acceptance of Incremental and Modular Housing, Lagos State, Nigeria Olatunde Daniel Babalola1 and Ayodeji Samuel Aremu1* Department of Architecture, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria ayodeji.a

The construction industry's emphasis on delivering projects on schedule, within budget, and to standard exacerbates stressful conditions already marked by dynamic uncertainty and frequent conflicts. Professionals in the construction sector, such as consultants, often work long hours under tight schedules and conflicting demands. Moreover, office-based consultants face unique, equally challenging conditions compared to their site-based colleagues, leading to severe stress, reduced performance, and poor mental well-being. Consequently, this study aims to provide insights into workplace stress, mental well-being, and its impacts among construction consultants in Malaysia through the following objectives: 1) to identify critical workplace stressors; 2) to assess current mental health; and 3) to examine the impact of the stressors on operational work performance. The study used questionnaires that covered dimensions of workplace stressors, effects, and outcomes, which were distributed to construction consultants in the highly urbanised Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data from 80 respondents were analysed using SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as reliability and validity testing. The findings reveal a critical need for intervention, with 60% of respondents expressing serious concern regarding their current mental health. The analysis identified insufficient salary and excessive workload as the most significant stressors contributing to poor mental well-being. These stressors were found to directly impact professional outcomes, with poor motivation and fear of workplace accidents as the main consequences. Grounded in the relational trends identified by a Pearson bivariate correlation matrix, the study introduces a robust, three-tiered strategic intervention framework. These insights provide a critical empirical foundation for engineering consultancies and regulatory bodies to deploy top-down support frameworks that protect practitioners' well-being while optimising project delivery performance across the built environment sector. Cost Management Criteria in Biomimicry Sustainability Assessment Tool: Relative Importance Analysis using Analytic Hierarchy