CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS’ READINESS FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PRACTICES

ABSTRACT Sustainable construction is increasingly recognized as essential for reducing the environmental impact of building activities, conserving natural resources and promoting healthier living environments. However, the transition to sustainable construction practices in developing countries is fraught with numerous challenges. The purpose of this study was to identify some of these challenges and the mitigating strategies to enhance construction professionals’ readiness for sustainable building practices in Nigeria. A literature review provided 19 challenges and 17 mitigation strategies, which helped in the formulation of a questionnaire distributed to industry professionals in Akure, Ondo State. The Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to assess the normality of the data, while the Kruskal-Wallis H test was conducted to analyze the differences in responses among various groups of respondents. The Relative Importance Indices (RIIs) were used to rank the identified challenges and strategies based on their significance and priority according to the respondents. The most significant challenges identified were a lack of awareness and education on sustainability initiatives, limited availability of sustainable materials and a shortage of skilled workers trained in sustainable practices. To address these challenges, the study emphasized the importance of developing targeted training programs and workshops, creating accessible educational resources and utilizing nature-based solutions (NbS). Policymakers in Akure and beyond can use these findings to create supportive regulations and incentives that promote sustainable construction practices, streamline permitting processes and encourage the use of NbS. The findings of this study are also beneficial to construction professionals, educators and developers.