SOURCE:

Faculty: Environmental Sciences
Department: Building

CONTRIBUTORS:

Ndidi B. Iheama
Onwuka S. U
Okolie K. C

ABSTRACT:

Climate change is a global phenomenon. Sequel to the incessant flooding in Enugu State in the recent times, resulting to building collapse and frequent changes in building design in the area, which are blamed on climate change, this study appraised building changes to climate variability in Enugu Urban Area. The study pursued the following objectives, to: examine variation in climate parameters for five decades (from 1970-2017) within the study area, certify whether there are variations in building designs, determine effects of climate change on materials, construction cost and maintenance cost of buildings across the assessment time, establish relationship between climate variation over time and variation in building design, construction cost, material and maintenance cost; and to develop a model of relationship between climate variables and building design and maintenance cost, building materials, energy use and construction cost.. The trend analysis of the climate parameters showed that there has been variations in the climate parameters over the assessment period in the area. The result the test of hypothesis two showed a p – value of 0.001, less than 0.05. The implication is that the overall (cluster) weighted mean of the respondents is significantly above 3.0; (that is 4.0 > 3.0, with a p – value of 0.001). The result of the test of hypothesis three on one sample T – Test showed that the responses of the respondents are significant. This is because the p – value of 0.003 was gotten; more so, the overall (cluster) weighted mean is 3.9 which is above 3.0. This means that according to the respondents, climate significantly affects the cost of construction and maintenance at 0.05 significance level. The result of hypothesis five on one sample T–Test above showed that the questions asked the respondents are significant climate impacts on energy needs. This is because the p – value is 0.000 which is less than 0.05, the overall (cluster) mean being 3.7444>3.0. A regression model was generated showing the mathematical relationship between: cost of construction and maintenance, building design, energy need and building materials and the independent variables (Rainfall, Sunshine Intensity, Temperature, effective rainfall wind speed and Relative Humidity).The research therefore recommended; a need to modify our new architecture to conform to the prevalent standards.