Abstract
In a country that has between 17 to 20 million housing deficit with an uncontrolled growing population, there is need for innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the rate of homelessness and sub-standard living conditions. The study presented the prospects in the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) as a sustainable housing solution to cater for the housing needs of Nigerians. Nigeria is at the centre of this study due to its population and housing challenges. The study utilized content analysis based on previous studies on 3DP in developed and developing countries. The study identified critical areas that 3DP of houses can solve Nigeria‘s housing needs which are mainly in reducing housing deficit, provide permanent housing solution for IDPs, reduction of construction waste, increased construction safety, achievement of sustainability goals, reduction in construction errors and labour cost.
Highlights
The provision of housing plays a crucial role in the existence of man in the earth‘s ecosystem.Different definitions have been attributed to the concept of housing
The study presented the prospects in the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) as a sustainable housing solution to cater for the housing needs of Nigerians
The Nigerian housing deficit stands at 18 million units with homelessness at 24.4 million, there is need for an effective strategy that addresses the number of housing units produced per year [2]
Summary
The provision of housing plays a crucial role in the existence of man in the earth‘s ecosystem. The inadequacies experienced in the housing sector can be attributed to government negligence, ineffective government housing policies, failed housing financing system, unavailability/inadequate access to long-term housing funds, high rate of poverty, meagre household income compared to expenses, unattractive interest rates, high land prices, high fluctuation of building materials, high bureaucracy in the town planning agencies for approvals, difficulties in obtaining government clearance for buildings and the high spate of corruption These challenges has left an enormous housing deficit within the country. [6] recorded that 3DP through personal manufacturing can result in the reduction of poverty, decrease in waste and decrease the gap between large and small manufacturing firms in developing countries.While some fear that 3DP technologies are costly to implement, [5] argued that the technology is becoming economical due to the availability of free 3D digital models online.The concept of 3DP can be well integrated in the construction industry like other information and communication technologies (ICTs) products in use [7, 8]. This study examines the benefits that can be accrued in the use of 3-dimensional printing (3DP) of houses as a sustainable housing solution for Africa‘s most populous country in solving its housing needs
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