Achieving Sustainable Housing in Nigeria: A Rethink of the Strategies and Constraints

Purpose: Housing is central to sustainable human development which in recent times has been the frontier of debate at global and local levels. In Nigeria, housing has been routinely provided by the governments (public-social housing), the developers (private housing) and the individual citizens (informal housing) with little concern for sustainability. The housing deficit in the country remains at an all-time high of about 20 million, leading to housing deprivation, homelessness and non-affordability. The paper focused on sustainable housing strategies and constraints in Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: This article employs a perspective discourse approach using some existing works to make arguments on inherent issues in achieving housing sustainability in Nigeria. The discourse on sustainable housing strategies and constraints in Nigeria are made along three lines: the discussion of the theories of housing and housing sustainability, the strategies for sustainable housing provision and the constraints militating against sustainable housing provision in Nigeria. Findings: Sustainable housing strategies normally involve the provision of affordable dwellings that ensure energy efficiency, resilience against natural and human hazards, healthy physical environment, overall access of citizens to adequate, good-quality, secure housing and utility services with particular attention to vulnerable groups and private investment in the housing sector. The constraints to sustainable housing production are funding, inestimable population growth, poor economy, urban poverty, rapid urbanization, inflation, non-use of indigenous knowledge, lack of local materials, high construction cost and poor housing policy. Research Limitation/Implications: This research focused on sustainable housing strategies and constraints in Nigeria. Practical implication: This paper has potential implications for understanding sustainable housing dynamics in Nigeria and other developing countries. Social Implication: This study will assist development policy-makers in addressing sustainable housing through social, economic and environmental stability for the present and future generations. Originality/Value: This study is based on the design and implementation of smart growth cities that make proper use of spaces.