Dwelling Affordability from Theory to Practice: The Use of Earth as Indigenous Building Material for Sustainable Development Amidst Post Covid-19 Situation in Nigeria

Abstract

Driven by urbanization and demographic growth in Nigeria, the estimated cost for low cost dwelling unit is very expensive, because of high cost of conventional building material. Indigenous building materials abound in our various locations and communities in our nation, in the olden days dwelling place were never an issue as man could make or create a dwelling place for himself and his family with available indigenous resources. He uses local materials such as earth, timber, bamboo, stone, thatch, bush rope, etc with one or two assistant and able to put together a dwelling to accommodate his activities. The paper examined earth as indigenous building materials and assessing local building cultures with earth for resilience and sustainable development for dwelling affordability in Nigeria. Also, it generates a practical guide for community-based assessment of earth material fortification without compromising the durability. The sustainability solution of earth as building material were discussed which include local employment opportunity for socio economic development among others. The paper then concludes on some sustainability strategies known with the earth over the year as productive and effective building material.