Abstract

CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND REAL ESTATE: REUSE, RECYCLING, AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY PRACTICES IN GLOBAL AND AFRICAN PROPERTY MARKETS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Journal: Sustainable Cities and Built Environment (JSCBE)

Author: P. O. Iruobe^*1

1 University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; email: Patience.iruobe@uniben.edu

*Correspondence: email Patience.iruobe@uniben.edu Tel. 08143885563 ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4524-9849

This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58757/jscbe.04.02.01

In the built environment, the circular economy has emerged as an alternative paradigm in response to escalating resource depletion, waste generation, and climate change concerns, but its incorporation remains fragmented across real estate and built environment literature. Whereas Europe and Asia demonstrate measurable progress, Africa faces a drawback due to structural and institutional barriers. This review aggregates findings from previous research on the implementation of circular economy in real estate, focusing on three spheres: reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency across property markets. It aims to determine the predominant thematic trends, key drivers, and barriers, assess geographic differences in implementation, and indicate areas of limited knowledge for future research. A systematic literature review was conducted in line with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Various searches across Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, and Taylor & Francis Online analyzed peer-reviewed journal articles, policy reports, and institutional publications from 2000 to 2024. Initial search records were 1,246, but only 65 studies met the inclusion criteria after screening and full-text assessment. Results from the research disclose strong implementation of the circular economy in Europe and Asia, motivated by policy enforcement, technological advancement, and institutional alliance. In contrast, implementation in Africa remains limited due to factors such as weak governance, inadequate funding, and low prioritization policy. Factors facilitating adoption include material passports, collaborative platforms, and Building Information Modelling (BIM). However, circular economy principles in valuation practices, affordable housing initiatives, equity, and urban land markets remain understudied. There is a potential for circular economy practices in real estate to reduce construction waste, improve resource efficiency, and support sustainable housing. Theoretically, the review contributes by connecting circular economy principles to valuation frameworks; by providing practical insights for practitioners, investors, and policymakers; and by striving to advance circular economy adoption in emerging economies.

Abstract

COMPLIANCE WITH MINIMUM SET-BACK REGULATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILINGS IN EKITI, NIGERIA

Journal: Sustainable Cities and Built Environment (JSCBE)

Author: Yakubu Ukwe-nya Sunday^*1, Baba Benjamin², Ekule Andrew. A³

1 Federal University Oye-Ekiti , Nigeria; email sunday.yakubu@fuoye.edu.ng 

2 Federal Polytechnic Oko, Nigeria; email benrealisa@gmail.com

3 Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Nigeria; email ekuleadejoh@gmail.com

*Correspondence: email Sunday.yakubu@fuoye.edu.ng; Tel.: +2348034355960 ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6123-4366

This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58757/jscbe.04.01.03

Several pieces of literature made an attempt to present the challenges of compliance with standards and regulations in the construction industry in Nigeria. This study identifies and examines the degree of compliance with minimum building setback regulations by the Town & Urban Development Board in Ekiti, focusing on benchmarking standards with the current practices, targeting residential and commercial building development sites. Using a case measurement and inspection approach, a purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of some sites in Ekiti for data collection, in which 150 residential and commercial building development projects were identified and investigated. This consists of 50 project sites in Ado-Ekiti, 30 at Oye-Ekiti, 20 at Ikole-Ekiti, 30 at Omuo, 10 at Ikere, and 10 at Ikare, respectively. The objective criteria for the measurement were the standards requirements for minimum building setbacks from the road by urban development control in Nigeria. Tables, graphs, tabulation, trends, and percentages were used to classify and rate the data on an acceptable threshold. The findings revealed that compliance varies across different locations, with some showing signs of stronger adherence to standards, others exhibiting widespread noncompliance, and, in some cases, the absence of compliance, raising a lot of concern about enforcement and monitoring. Compliance with minimum setback is critical for sustainable urban development in 76 Nigeria.  While challenges persist in effective enforcement,  public awareness, and policy reforms are needed to improve adherence in residential and commercial buildings in Nigeria

Abstract

MONTESSORI-INSPIRED INTERIORS: Designing spaces for Early Childhood development

Journal: Sustainable Cities and Built Environment (JSCBE)

Author: Hana Karoui 

This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58757/jscbe.04.01.02

Abstract

GREEN ZONE COMPLIANCE FOR PROMOTING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING: CASE OF LOKJA, NIGERIA

Journal: Sustainable Cities and Built Environment (JSCBE)

Authors: Yakubu Ukwe-nya Sunday, Hambolu Agnes Taiwo, Egbuta, J. N, Zakka, Solomon. D.

This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58757/jscbe.04.01.01