Prospects, Challenges of Developing Sustainable Communities in Nigeria

In Nigeria, like in many other developing countries, accommodation forms one of the biggest challenges, particularly in growing urban centers.

According to the UN Population Fund data, more people in the world live in urban than in rural settings since 2010. In 2020, 56.2 percent of the world population was urban. However, they also account for about 70 percent of global carbon emissions and over 60 percent of resource use.

Sustainable development cannot be achieved with this number without significantly transforming how we build and manage our urban spaces. In Nigeria, citizens want the same thing regarding where they reside, including access to clean air and water, a safe and healthy environment, and the ability to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

The bedrock of community development is sustainability. In Nigeria, there should be a notable level of development; but these efforts can be rendered futile or short-lived without a sustainability plan. Achieving sustainable community development lies heavily on various projects carried out in the community.

The world today is heavily dependent on fossil energy, which can harm the environment. These impacts are a result of global warming and have demanded that researchers seek a solution. One of these solutions proffered is the usage of Low Carbon in the Economy. This concept aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere while combining better and cleaner energy sources with the proficient use of already existing energy sources.

According to the environmental and energy study institute, paying particular attention to the real estate, residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in the USA are responsible for 40 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

These buildings are sources of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions due to the vast amount of natural resources they consume and their waste. Real estate consumes over 40 percent of global energy annually, 30 percent of raw materials, and 12 percent of drinking water.

According to a 2016 report by the World Economic Forum, emissions caused by buildings and new construction are expected to grow. By 2030, the projected global population growth is expected to generate demand for 260 million new residential properties and 540 million square meters of office space in the world’s largest cities. The Oxford Economics’ Global Cities 2030 report also shows that Lagos will become Africa’s largest city by GDP and 114 in terms of the global ranking.

However, there is a need to make our cities sustainable by creating career and business opportunities, safe and affordable housing, and building resilient societies and economies. It involves investment in creating green public spaces and improving urban planning and management in participatory and inclusive ways. This depends heavily on the real estate industry.

In Nigeria, adopting sustainable, eco-friendly substitutes in terms of raw materials for real estate development requires significant motivation and an organized platform to foster discussions on the subject matter.

Achieving the development needs and improving the standard of living of communities is also dependent on the real estate industry. Simultaneously, the quality of community development has since moved from the size, shape, and edification of the buildings. It is now based on the degree of sustainability of structures related to the social, economic, and environmental contexts in which they are built.

Prospects

Embracing sustainability in the real estate sector will, to a large extent, reduce the carbon footprint in urban communities. Therefore, it should be treated as a necessity rather than a luxury. Among other things, sustainability in the real estate sector involves concerted efforts towards limiting waste generation from the design stage down to the development of the buildings. Adequate consideration must be given to the long-term socio-economic and environmental impacts in providing products and services within the real estate space.