Benefits and Barriers to the Implementation of Green Building Standards in Universities: What are Students’ Views?

Abstract

Embracing the principles of green building in development is crucial in creating a sustainable environment. However, research on its adoption in educational institutions is very low and students’ opinions are not given priority in the few research that are available in Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the perception of built environment students on the need to embrace the principles of green building in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. 101 questionnaires were administered to students in the Departments of Architecture, Building Technology and Estate Management of the university and a response rate of 94% was achieved. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, weighted mean and relative importance index (RII) and the data was presented in tables. The study revealed that 88.42% of the students are aware of the concept of green building. According to the students, the degree of embracing green building standards in Covenant University is very low. Moreover, the benefits the students perceive the university can derive from adopting green building principles are: improved indoor air and water quality, reduction in pollution and environmental degradation, energy efficiency and water conservation. In addition, the students identified the following as the main barriers to green building adoption: ignorance on green building principles and their benefits (RII = 0.91), high cost of green building technology (RII = 0.89), ignorance on professional knowledge and expertise on green building (RII = 0.89), ignorance on green building principles promotion by government (RII = 0.87) and ignorance on importance attached to green building principles by management of universities (RII = 0.87). The study recommended, amongst others, that there should be a forum where university management teams can be enlightened on the gains of embracing green building standards. This study is expected to broaden the knowledge of the Management of Covenant University on the importance of green development which will make the university environment to be conducive for learning, which will in turn aid better students’ academic performance. The study concluded that green building principles are vital to the physical and aesthetic planning of any development as it will reduce the amount of raw materials used in construction.