This paper targets the effects of the inclusive design of access facilities on the space utilisation by persons with disability (PWDs) in Makerere University halls of residence. Specifically, it focuses on physically incapable PWDs with mobility challenges and/or visual impairments, exploring how they manoeuvre through and around the halls. The study will also assess facility performance and evaluate the sufficiency of facility size and manoeuvrability for efficient space utilisation. The paper utilises a descriptive research design with a mixed-method approach, integrated qualitatively and quantitatively. PWD resident students in selected halls were the key units of analysis, and several key informant respondents identified from Makerere University staff were chosen through a mixture of purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data collection was done using questionnaires for the quantitative data and structured interviews for the qualitative data. Two FGDs were held with the PWD respondents, and additional information was provided through observation and photography. Analysis of results was done with the aid of statistical tests and thematic categorisation. The results of this paper indicate that the influence of the inclusivity of facilities on space utilisation is exhibited through four thematic areas. These include gender-specific challenges, mobility in the accommodation facilities, selective positioning of facilities, ground floor accessibility limits and manoeuvrability in the common areas. The findings, overall, underscore the vital role of inclusively designed university accommodation facilities in enabling PWDs to fully utilise residential spaces, not only at Makerere University but even for other public campuses. While there have been some efforts to incorporate access facilities, the persistent design flaws and maintenance gaps have evidently hindered effective space utilisation and compromised their safety.
This study conducts a scoping literature review of the contribution of incremental housing finance to the adoption of green affordable housing in Africa, grounded in sustainable finance theory. The study synthesised evidence from 33 studies conducted between 2001 and 2025, identifying major themes such as housing microfinance (31%), sustainable housing (19%), and incremental housing finance (13%). The findings show that incremental housing finance (IHF) is a subset of housing microfinance that addresses affordability and sustainability, particularly by contributing to green building practices. This study’s theoretical contribution entails situating IHF within sustainable finance theory, which is also significant in addressing affordable housing demand. It demonstrates the potential to align the provision of low-income housing with environmental objectives. This is important for banks, microlenders, and investors in the affordable housing market as a tool to understand developing market dynamics and opportunities to scale up sustainability through IHF. Without incorporating green practices in IHF, Africa’s potential for climate-resilient affordable housing would remain significantly underdeveloped.
There is growing evidence that small-scale property developers play an important role in delivering affordable housing units globally and especially in emerging economies such as South Africa. These developers are typically entrepreneurs who develop a few housing units to create income and wealth for themselves. The success of their projects is, however, constrained by the availability of finance, the institutional environment in which these developers operate and the products offered by the financial market. While financing for end-users is increasingly being addressed, developer finance has received less attention in emerging countries and in South Africa and is often unavailable. The objective of this research is to provide an understanding of how financing and other decisions are made by small-scale property developers in South Africa. This study employed a mixed-methods design to examine the decision-making processes and financing strategies of small-scale developers in South Africa. The conclusions are derived from an analysis of the international scoping literature review and of two surveys of market experts and developers. Through interviews, the research concludes that small-scale developers differ from other types of developers in many ways, which influences their decision-making, especially their choice of financing options. The article suggests that the success of government interventions and finance instruments will require a deep understanding of the decision-making criteria of small-scale developers in the affordable housing market and the market characteristics that they function under. The findings highlight the need for more accessible and context-appropriate development finance mechanisms, as well as supportive regulatory frameworksand trustworthy planning environments, to enable small-scale developers to contribute more effectively to affordable housing delivery.
This research analysed how sustainability features impacted the time-on-market of commercial rental properties in Lagos, Nigeria. A quantitative research design was utilised in the study, where 250 registered estate surveying and valuation firms were sampled to administer the structured questionnaires, of which 150 valid responses were collected and analysed. The research examined how the sustainability qualities, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and accessibility, impacted the leasing performance. Factor analysis was used to derive the latent dimensions of sustainability, and independent samples t-tests were used to establish significant variations in the TOM between properties that had and those that did not have sustainable features. The findings show that commercial properties with sustainability elements are rented much quicker than non-sustainable ones, which proves the existence of a tangible market benefit of a green attribute. These results support the argument that sustainability is neither an environmental nor an ethical concern but rather a performance determinant of market liquidity and an investment return. The study argued that developers, investors and policymakers should mainstream sustainability ideals in property development and urban governance to improve commercial efficiencies of the market, shorten vacancy cycles, and promote environmentally friendly growth in the emerging real estate markets.
Persistent mispricing by property valuers has contributed to global economic instability. With increasing emphasis on sustainability in property markets, valuers face growing pressure to account for sustainability premiums in their assessments. However, valuers, particularly in developing markets like Nigeria, lack adequate knowledge to incorporate sustainability considerations into valuation practice. Focusing on valuers in Nigeria, called Estate Surveyors and Valuers(ESVs), this study investigates awareness of sustainability features and examines the influence of valuers’ individual professional characteristics on this awareness. The target population comprises estate surveyors and valuers working in established real estate firms listed by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV). Respondents were drawn from professionals within 198 randomly selected firms, representing 50% of the national register, to ensure broad representation. Data on the respondents’ educational and professional qualifications, designations, and genders were collected through structured questionnaires. The data were analysed using percentages and means to summarise valuers’ professional characteristics and awareness levels, while a one-sample t-test and a Chi-square test were used to examine the relationships between professional characteristics and sustainability awareness. Findings revealed mean awareness scores above the benchmark of 3.0 on a 5-point Likert scale, with the highest for energy-efficient features (mean = 3.86) and the lowest for water-efficient features (mean = 3.40). Significant relationships (p = 0.004–0.029) were observed between awareness and variables such as education, gender, designation, and professional qualification. The study concludes that Nigerian ESVs demonstrate good awareness of sustainability features. However, awareness varies significantly among professionals, given their individual characteristics, highlighting the need for targeted capacity building to deepen the integration of sustainability in valuation practice.
Traditional techniques of property valuation are increasingly criticised for their subjectivity, vulnerability to data insufficiency, and other discrepancies, thereby fuelling a methodological shift towards automated and data-driven valuation frameworks. Hence, this study explores three selected machine learning algorithms - Random Forest (RF), Bayesian Ridge (BR), and LASSO Regression – in estimating residential property prices across three distinct sub-markets within Lagos Metropolis. The study seeks to identify the algorithm that achieves the highest predictive precision and to examine the extent to which sub-market heterogeneity affects model reliability. The dataset utilised for the study comprised 469 residential property transactions concluded over the years by thirteen registered Estate Surveying and Valuation firms operating within the Metropolis. The results revealed varied performance across the sub-markets, with Random Forest emerging as the most efficient model, demonstrating the model’s robustness and adaptability to nonlinear property data and spatial variability. The Bayesian Ridge Regression model produced moderate results, performing reliably in sub-markets characterised by stable property structures, while LASSO Regression yielded the least accuracy, owing to its sensitivity to linear assumptions and coefficient shrinkage. By situating algorithmic comparison within a spatially segmented urban framework, this research contributes to the development of location-sensitive, data-driven valuation models that can enhance valuation practice, improve investor confidence, and promote greater transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s property market.
This study explores the housing pathways and difficulties experienced by young graduates in attaining residential independence in Accra, Ghana. Questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic characteristics and housing situation from 150 young graduates residing in Accra, and 20 young graduates who had completed the questionnaires were interviewed to explore their housing situation and challenges in more detail. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using simple descriptive statistics, and the interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that young graduates in Accra faced significant challenges in their housing journeys, marked by frequent moves, unmet expectations, and limited affordable housing options. While many hoped for a quick shift to independent living, financial constraints, job relocations, and the realities of the housing market often delayed or complicated this process. The findings further indicated that despite being employed, many young graduates struggled with housing independence owing to high rental costs and the demand for substantial upfront payments. Family support enabled a few young graduates to make the required upfront payments, providing a crucial stepping stone toward independent living. The young graduates expressed dissatisfaction with current housing policies, calling for more affordable housing, rent control measures, and urban planning that prioritises their needs. This study provides some valuable insights into the housing experiences and difficulties faced by young adults in a challenging housing market, trying to achieve residential autonomy. The study’s findings highlight the need for a review of the urban planning and housing development framework within the urban space, which currently prioritises and oversupplies luxurious houses, to include approaches that mandate inclusion of housing for lower-income earners.
Relationships between real estate agents are crucial for their success in a competitive market. However, limited research is available about these relationships. This qualitative study probes the factors that influence these relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 real estate agents working in the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West Province of South Africa, which has no centralised listing system to collect data on their perceptions of inter-agent relationships. An inductive analysis generated six themes that influenced their relationships: (1) lack of timely information, communication and feedback; (2) unethical conduct and limited transparency; (3) selfishness and unbalanced collaboration; (4) trust issues; (5) pre-established relationships; and (6) networks and communities. A conceptual framework is proposed as a first step towards developing a holistic relationship model for real estate agents to address these issues, making a practical and theoretical contribution. The study fills a gap in the stakeholder relationship management literature in the context of the real estate industry. Further research in other regions is recommended to extend the body of knowledge regarding relationships between real estate agents.
Organisations grow organically to maturity, but if concerted efforts are not initiated to preserve the status quo, there is a danger of decline. Professional associations are required to prepare and implement succession plans for their longevity and sustainability. It has been observed that the participation of students in professional associations in Africa, particularly Tanzania, is declining. This study analysed the extent of undergraduate students’ awareness, interest and participation in Real Estate Professional Associations (REPAs) in Tanzania. A quantitative approach was deployed in this study, adopting a Likert scale as a data collection method. The data collection technique yielded a response rate of 98% of the 266 respondents. The study has observed that only 1% of the undergraduate students at Ardhi University participate in the REPAs. The study analysed the relationship between students’ awareness, interest and participation in REPAs using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that there is no direct relationship between the intention and participation of the students in the organisations. It also revealed that there is a mismatch between students’ expectations and the services provided by the associations. Students expect the REPAs to provide direct connections to internships and graduate recruitment opportunities, which is not the case. Furthermore, the study established a lack of engagement and direct communication between REPAs and students, which limits students’ motivation. The study concluded that there is a need for increased engagement and collaboration activities between REPAs, higher learning institutions offering real estate programmes and students through outreach programs and sponsorships for students to participate in annual events of REPAs. Furthermore, REPAs should coordinate with their corporate members to select the best-performing students for mentorship and internship programmes immediately after graduation.
The construction industry is a major contributor to the economy of many nations; however, the industry is bedevilled by poor health and safety (H&S) records, leading to significant human and economic losses. This study systematically reviews the integration of H&S into the construction procurement system, identifying key drivers and barriers. Using a systematic literature review approach, 71 articles were analysed out of 21,407 records that were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases to uncover the drivers and barriers to H&S incorporation into the procurement system. The study discovered the ambivalent influence of procurement methods, digital technology, legislation, and project ecosystem on H&S integration. The findings reveal that traditional procurement methods, low technology adoption, inadequate legislation, and negative management actions are major barriers. Conversely, modern procurement methods, robust digital technologies, clear legislative frameworks, and positive management actions serve as drivers. The study highlights significant research gaps, including limited empirical evidence on the long-term impact of procurement methods on H&S outcomes, especially in developing countries, and proposes future research directions to enhance H&S integration in construction procurement. There is a need for the enactment and enforcement of robust legislative frameworks that mandate H&S considerations in the construction procurement system. Also, contractors need to adopt modern procurement methods and leverage digital technologies to enhance H&S.
This study investigated the gender composition within Uganda's valuation surveying discipline. It examined the influence of organisational policies on this composition through a mixed-methods explanatory sequential research design. Initially, quantitative data were gathered through a desk review, followed by the collection and analysis of qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with representatives of valuation surveying firms affiliated with registered valuation surveyors of Uganda. The study’s findings revealed a significant underrepresentation of women in Uganda’s valuation surveying discipline, with women comprising only 22% compared to 78% of men. This disparity is attributed to educational barriers, stereotypes, and organisational barriers that have considerably affected women’s participation in the profession relative to men. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on gender equity in STEM fields, offering insights pertinent to promoting a gender-inclusive valuation surveying profession in alignment with global efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, as outlined in Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
One way the government often adopts to compensate people dispossessed of their land is to resettle the dispossessed landowners. Notwithstanding the good purpose for which resettlement is meant to be adopted, the act is not without a number of challenges. This study sought to investigate the challenges of land resettlement with respect to the land acquired by the government for inland port projects in Ibadan, Oyo State. Based on records from the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and the office of the Surveyor General of Oyo State, 44 households of the total 145 displaced landowners/households earmarked for resettlement were sampled. Data were collected from the respondents with the aid of questionnaires administered in person. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics tools such as percentages, mean and Relative Importance Index. The results indicated that in acquiring land for a public project, statutory procedures were followed, notifying the respondents of the government's intention to acquire the land and resettlement arrangements. The results of the study showed that the respondents suffered exposure to security and welfare risks from prolonged delays in the resettlement process. Additional challenges included loss of shelter and ancestral homes, as well as being deprived of access to a common heritage. The study concluded that the loss of livelihood and the increase in the cost of living led to a decline in the standard of living for the dispossessed landowners.
The study examined the use of blockchain technology in real estate transactions in Lagos State, Nigeria, by assessing the level of adoption among estate surveying and valuation firms and the factors influencing its adoption. The data for this study were collected through questionnaires administered to estate surveying and valuation firms located on Lagos Island, Lagos State. The questionnaires provided the firms’ opinions on the adoption of blockchain technology, their level of awareness of blockchain technology and the factors influencing its adoption. The data analysis revealed that real estate practitioners were very aware of various blockchain applications, including fintech, cryptocurrency, smart contracts, and cross-border transactions, which are useful tools that estate surveyors and valuers can adopt in real estate practice and transactions. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that regulatory challenges, trust issues, and poor internet provision compromise the adoption and usage of blockchain technology in Lagos State. The study recommends frequent sensitisation of members by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and the creation of an enabling environment by the government, as the use of this emerging technology is facilitated by infrastructure such as regular internet and electricity supply.
This paper weaves together forty years of real estate development history with the research agendas highlighted by academics over the years and interviews with prominent African real estate professors to provide insights into the most important topics in African real estate. The development history captures highlights from four editions of Professional Real Estate Development: the ULI Guide to the Industry written by the author every ten years. Each edition captures lessons from the most recent real estate crash as well as the evolution of the development industry in the United States. Based on interviews and an analysis of the literature, the major topics fall into the following buckets: housing, finance, discrimination, data, sustainability, infrastructure, land reform, and digitisation. The conclusions highlight the most important real estate issues facing African urban and real estate development – the evolution of mortgage markets including secondary markets and public investment vehicles; the institutionalization of the industry both with respect to individual developers and finance companies; urban development cycles and their impact on real estate value; government policies with respect to land development, infrastructure, transportation, and globalization; and sustainability and climate change. Of particular importance are how to deliver more affordable housing, smart growth with respect to planning and construction, climate change and its impact on flooding, fires, insurance, and resettlement, land regularization, information and data sharing, and mortgage market evolution and credit availability. While the evolution of real estate development in the United States and western countries is instructive for the course of development, Africa faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The topics presented here represent a consensus of some of the leading academics in Africa and offer a roadmap for up-and-coming scholars.
In most emerging economies, students’ perception that entrepreneurship is desirable and feasible is often reinforced by the difficulty in securing paid employment. However, the realities emanating from the motivators and demotivators and demographic influences usually influence students’ entrepreneurial decisions. With a focus on Nigeria, this study examined the factors affecting the entrepreneurial intentions of real estate students and the relationship between the perceived motivators and demotivators, and demographic factors on real estate students’ entrepreneurial intentions in an emerging market. The study adopted a total enumeration of all final-year real estate students in three purposively selected federal universities in Southwest Nigeria. Closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to all 231 final-year real estate students in the three institutions, and 160 questionnaires, representing 69.26% were retrieved and analysed. Data on students’ intention and preference for real estate business, and the motivators and demotivators were collected on a five-point Likert scale and analysed using frequencies, percentages, RII, factor analysis, correlation analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Despite the students’ high intention for real estate business data-driven aspects of the profession, such as feasibility and viability appraisal, valuation, and market analysis/data management, were the least preferred. While the motivators include financial freedom/flexibility, personal preference/fulfilment, economic factors, and prestige/status, lack of support system/market environment, the demotivators include finance, registration/information barriers, and risk perception/socio-cultural barriers. These had statistically significant relationships with demographic factors such as gender, family status, fathers’ educational background, and occupation. This article highlighted the importance of market environment, mentoring, and familial support systems in fostering the venture creation potential of real estate students. Subjective norms, shaped by familial support, mentorship, and socio-cultural barriers, underscore the influence of demographics on students’ intention. The results showed that financial, regulatory, and market challenges may impact perceived control, diminishing students’ confidence despite high entrepreneurial intentions.
This study analyses the relationship between mortgage origination and residential real estate property characteristics in Ghana. Using transaction-based data on 1476 mortgages from 2008 to 2016, we apply the hedonic pricing model and multivariate regression to establish the role of structural property characteristics and residential real estate sub-markets in determining mortgage origination, separated into loan amount and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Further, the risk of default in the mortgages is estimated as an additional risk assessment tool for lenders. The findings reveal that residential sub-markets are important variables to consider when mortgages are originated. In Ghana, properties in Upmarket, Emerging upmarket, and Middle-income sub-markets tend to attract lower loan values in comparison to properties in Gated communities, primarily due to their neighbourhood characteristics. In addition, properties in emerging, upmarket, and middle-income sub-markets attract higher LTV ratios. It was revealed that in upmarket areas, the number of bedrooms, detached, and outhouses does not contribute to determining the risk of default in mortgages. We also find that the risk of default by mortgage borrowers is negligible, indicating that lenders can safely expand their customer base. The findings offer rare insights into the emerging mortgage market in Africa for both policy and investment purposes.
Homeownership is an important factor in wealth-making and socio-economic mobility. However, decisions about construction materials, especially roof truss systems, are less studied in developing economies. The shift from timber to metal trusses in Ghana echoes wider economic, socio-demographic, and sustainability concerns. We investigated the socio-demographic factors that influence homeowners’ choices for truss materials to provide information for sustainable housing policy and market development. Survey data were obtained from 300 homeowners purposively selected across two major urban cities. Logistic regression shows that marital status, gender, income, education, and third-party advice had significant effects on material preference. Women, unmarried individuals, and lower-income and less educated homeowners are more likely to select wood for truss construction. On the other hand, homeowners who received third-party advice and have higher levels of education and earnings above US$200 had greater odds of selecting metal trusses. Our findings indicate that socio-demographic micro-level considerations play a notable role in shaping timber-to-metal transitions by private residential builders.
Utilisation of pre-letting and pre-sale financing (PPF) arrangements for housing delivery have gained increased attention in the literature. However, the increasing rate of housing deficit in the emerging markets does not represent the reality of an increase in the adoption of PPF arrangements. With the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire, this study examined the level of adoption of PPF arrangements by property development companies (PDC) in the emerging markets. The questionnaires were administered to 87 PDCs in Lagos metropolis to gather property-related data such as the number of property units developed between 2008 and 2023, unit type, number of units pre-let, and number of units pre-sale, among others. With the use of an Excel spreadsheet and SPSS software, the acquired data were analysed using percentages and regression analysis. Findings revealed that the proportion of pre-letting against the total units of property developed during the year under review was 7.48 percent, and pre-sale 17.44 percent. While 67.70 percent of the pre-letting proportion applied to commercial properties, 53.24 percent of the pre-sale proportion applied to residential properties. An increase in pre-sale adoption was observed throughout the years under consideration. Though a more significant increase was witnessed in the residential properties, commercial properties equally witnessed a slight increase across the years. The regression analysis outcome showed that none of neither pre-letting nor pre-sale financing adoption was significantly influenced by the tested organisational parameters in the study area. It is, however, necessary that the stakeholders pay attention to pre-letting financing arrangements and increase the adoption of both arrangements to improve housing provision.
