Lean construction: an approach to achieving sustainable built environment in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The Nigerian building industry (NIB) is faced with numerous challenges. Chief among these is how best to manage the different kinds of wastes generated during the building procurement process and by so doing improve the sustainability record of the industry. Cost overrun, time overrun, and waste of building materials are the major problems crippling the industry. However, lean approach has been established in western world such as the USA, UK and others as an approach that helps in attaining sustainability in the building projects. This paper presents result of a study conducted to identify benefits derivable from the adoption of lean practices (LPs) by firms in the NIB. The approach adopted for this study was the review of literature to identify the benefits of Lean Practices (LPs) adoption and a questionnaire survey of architecture, building consulting and contracting and quantity surveying firms in Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Enugu and Kaduna. In all, 446 valid responses were obtained and the data analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result revealed that stakeholders in the Nigerian building industry perceived LPs adoption as very helpful in the reduction of time and cost overrun on projects. Thus, the study has established that the adoption of LPs is one of the ways stakeholders in the industry are using to achieve economic sustainability in the procurement of building projects and ensuring that clients and end-users get value for money in such projects.