Ayo-Odifiri, S O (2025) A systematic review of the applicability of nature-based solutions for resilient urban residences in southern Nigeria. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 16(3), pp. 344-362. ISSN 1759-5908
Abstract
Purpose: The adoption of nature-based solutions (NBS) for resilient cities has been receiving concern because of global threats of climate variation and a bid to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. NBS promotes a healthy environment and discourages land loss. NBS applications have been researched, especially in developing nations; however, there is a lack of evidence on their roles, impediments and drivers in southern Nigerian cities. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review the applicability of NBS for resilient urban residences (RUR) in southern Nigeria. Also, it proposes strategies for addressing environmental issues via a framework that will support future studies. Design/methodology/approach: Southern Nigeria's riparian settlements are vulnerable to climate variability's devastating effects. A systematic review of literature on NBS for RUR resilience was conducted, sourcing 29 papers included in the study from 2004 to 2023 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses from Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases in November 2023. Findings: The review identified three themes: NBS's role in fostering urban resilience, impediments to its application and drivers for resilient RUR, with five roles, eight impediments and eight drivers identified in the literature. Research limitations/implications: This study explores literature on environmental drivers for practitioners promoting NBS, suggesting a qualitative research approach for advanced studies. However, the systematic review-based recommendations maintain the robustness of the NBS application for RUR in southern Nigeria, despite the need for advanced studies. Practical implications: This study outlines the five roles, eight impediments and eight drivers for promoting the application of NBS in southern Nigeria. This study noted that NBS can improve urban residential precincts, maintain residents' quality of life, purify air, regulate temperature and reduce glare, urban heat and land loss. The findings can be used by environmental and construction practitioners, clients, academics and policymakers to promote NBS applications in Nigeria. Adapting NBS should be a basic consideration in residential property planning and design for building plan approval. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this systematic review analysis is the first to explore NBS application in Southern Nigeria RUR, offering flexible strategies to advance NBS in the Nigerian locale.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | nature-based solutions; resilient cities; resilient urban residences; southern Nigeria; uncontrolled human activities |
| Index terms: | strategy, nature-based solution, practitioner, evidence, future study, systematic literature review, approval, qualitative research, land, variability, urban resilience, quality of life, meta-analysis, construction practitioner, environmental issue, human activity, database, developing nation, methodology, sustainable development goal, science, Nigeria, resilient city, variation, residential property, glare |
| Subjects: | construction type, development economics, research evaluation and metrics, building performance, contractual role, sociology, management, evaluation and assessment methods, data management, environmental issues, public and environmental health, sustainable design, statistical analysis, Geography, contractual condition, sustainability and resilience, research methods, specialized education, research design and methodology, biodiversity, practitioner, real estate economics, professional development |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Construction Technology, Information Management, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Education, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Business Strategy, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here