ANALYSIS: How climate-resilient homes can protect Nigerian communities from floods
By Quadri Adejumo
Amid heavy flooding and climate disasters, the need for immediate climate action has never been greater as the world is experiencing an unprecedented climate crisis.
Climate change is a looming threat affecting lives in flood-prone regions of Nigeria. Flooding has emerged as a constant foe, as extreme weather events become more frequent, displacing families and also threatening public health.
Nigeria, like many other countries, is dealing with the negative effects of climate change. Despite this crisis, sustainable housing and climate-resilient housing projects offer hope.
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The goal of sustainable affordable housing is to construct homes that are not only affordable but also eco-friendly and accommodating to all social groups.
Today, 56% of Africa’s metropolitan populace lives in casual and informal settlements because of natural disasters and the critical absence of affordable housing being accessible.
With projections demonstrating a multiplying of Africa’s populace within the next 25 years, the interest in adequate housing is now top of the shelf.
Embracing sustainable solutions
In Nigeria, housing is in a critical state. Due to the country’s economic downturn and the rising costs of building materials, many people are speaking out, prompting home builders to look into other options.
A bag of cement in Nigeria costs between 7,600 and 8,000 naira. This has exacerbated the struggles of many. “The country is so bad that I had to pause the completion of my building,” Tunde Rahman, an affected Nigerian, shared with the reporter. “We can’t even afford to eat well, let alone build homes. The country has deteriorated so much.”
But Nigerian developers are stepping up to these challenges by pioneering sustainable housing solutions. Home developers disclosed they are not only addressing the urgent need for affordable housing but also contributing to climate resilience.
“Our company is committed to championing the development of sustainable houses in Africa,” Nifemi Longe, the Managing Director at Audacia Properties told this reporter.
Audacia is a Nigerian company championing the building of decent housing, affordably, and sustainably.
“We understand the challenges posed by the high cost of building materials, so we explore traditional alternatives that are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. One example is the use of locally sourced materials like bamboo and thatch roofs,” Nifemi explained.
Leveraging architectural and mining innovations
Nigerian architects and builders are reimagining the very foundation of housing. Through cutting-edge designs and construction techniques, these climate-resilient homes stand as bastions against rising waters and torrential rains.
From elevated foundations that defy floodwaters to durable materials engineered to withstand extreme weather, each project is a testament to human ingenuity melded with environmental stewardship.
Interviews with architects reveal the meticulous planning and adaptation strategies that underpin these structures, ensuring they not only endure but thrive amidst climatic turmoil.
“Climate change is a crisis requiring urgent and visionary action from architects. With ethical designs, we can help society transition to a climate-balanced future and thriving harmonious co-existence with our planet,” Gifat Ampiaw, an Architect said.
Gifat says architects must transition fully to net-zero and carbon-positive building design as the new normal. “Thoughtfully designed structures can promote more sustainable urban densities. This is to integrate design excellence with environmental performance.”
Mineral and natural resources also play a crucial role in the durability and resilience of buildings.
“Particularly in areas where the climate is changing dramatically, such as Africa, innovations in the mining sector could contribute by reprocessing tailings for building bricks,” Arby Kane, President of the Council of African Youth in Minerals (CAYM ) and expert on climate-smart mining project told the reporter.
“This not only reduces energy consumption, it also ensures good water management, which is much needed in Africa’s desert zones. Mineral resources such as clays, sand and mining waste essentially ensure the quality, durability and resilience of buildings under the most severe conditions to withstand climate change,” Arby added.
Technology plays crucial role
Amidst the housing crisis, many innovative solutions are emerging, and advancements in technology also play a crucial role.
The application of cutting-edge and climate-resilient methods, which present promising options for the production of affordable housing units, is at the forefront of this endeavor. In addition, the integration of smart infrastructure, such as appliances that use less energy and systems that use renewable energy, is a sign of hope in the quest for sustainable urban living.
Several notable projects exemplify the transformative journey of these sustainable projects in Africa. Audacia is one of those leading this initiative. “We’ve been involved in various sustainable housing projects in Nigeria and Kenya. One notable project is the construction of eco-friendly homes that utilize renewable energy sources like solar power,” Nifemi said.
“These homes are designed to be energy-efficient, reducing both carbon emissions and utility costs. Additionally, we implement water conservation systems and incorporate sustainable building materials to minimize environmental impact,” Nifemi added.
Limiting disaster impacts
The efforts and measures taken to lessen the effects of disasters are referred to as disaster risk reduction. By reducing the impact of disasters, this contributes to sustainable development and helps prevent the effects of hazards like floods, storms, and earthquakes.
Implementing disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures helps protect physical assets like buildings too.
This reduces the risk of damage or destruction during disasters, making infrastructures better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters and climate change impacts.
Putting resources into proactive measures to diminish disaster risk and adjust to climate change can prompt tremendous cost savings and, above all, save lives over the long haul.
Rising population
Despite Nigeria’s status as the most populous nation in Africa, housing issues within its borders frequently get overlooked in favour of other global issues.
According to projections, Nigeria’s population may continue to grow over the coming decades. By 2050, the population is expected to rise to over 377 million people compared to 2022.
The need to align housing policies with climate-friendly initiatives exacerbates this situation.
“In order to ensure the development of sustainable housing options adapted to climate change, close collaboration is needed between the infrastructure and housing sector, as well as strong political will on the part of governments. This will ensure development in terms of a sustainable environment,” Arby explains.
The country faces many housing problems, especially in areas where floods are becoming more common. This leads to buildings collapsing and homes sinking.
Recent rains have resulted in flooding in some states across Nigeria. The Federal Government revealed that no fewer than 21 local government areas in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have been submerged by flood as a result of torrential rainfall in the past few days.
In the past 50 years, statistics show that over 604 buildings have collapsed in the country, according to the report from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild. Building experts contend that while formally arranged regions comply with environmental guidelines, those dwelling in casual settlements face a different picture, making them vulnerable to floods and other climate-related disasters.
Solutions
Different housing projects have been enacted by government and private entities to achieve a sustainable housing standard.
One of such is the Lagos state government’s Idale Estate in Nigeria, a green-certified housing community, and one of the few in Africa to meet the advanced certification level for its significant carbon, energy and water savings.
Also, the Vision City in Lagos, Nigeria is an eco-friendly estate built to address climate change issues to create zero carbon emissions. It is outfitted with nonstop savvy security, sunlight-based power energy, water-reaping frameworks, and green spaces to make a strong and eco-accommodating local area.
These exemplary projects do not only showcase the transformative potential of sustainable construction but also show the taking advantage of nature-inspired solutions and indigenous knowledge to address pressing housing and environmental challenges across Africa.
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