Exploring the opportunities in circular design as an affordable housing solution in Nigeria

Abstract

The shortage of adequate housing is caused by global challenges such as urbanisation, economic instability, pandemics, and displacements. Additionally, the building sector is resource-intensive, leading to the emergence of the circular economy (CE) that is focused on resource efficiency. The design stage plays a central role in the CE model. However, circular housing design (CHD) in Nigeria has not been thoroughly explored. This study examined the opportunities for implementing CHD in Nigeria. Through a desk review approach, relevant data from the critical review of selected articles from reputable databases in the last five years were synthesized and incorporated into the study. The findings revealed that the adoption of CHD in Nigeria can assist in achieving affordability, decarbonisation, climate change mitigation, improving environmental value, energy optimisation, resource efficiency, and urban mining. More specifically, it will stimulate sustainability in the housing sector, digitalisation, technical expertise development, policies and regulations, land provision, coordination and collaboration, local voluntary stewardship programme, and new market opportunities in housing delivery in Nigeria. There is a need to develop technical skills in CHD through knowledge sharing among design professionals via multi-stakeholder collaborations and investment in technologies, as well as adopting integrated circular project delivery methods in the supply chain.