Adoption of Green Building Practices in Langata, Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The rise in greenhouse gas emissions presents a serious threat to global biodiversity,
creating an urgent need for sustainable solutions in the construction sector. Green
building practices have emerged as a viable approach to mitigate these environmental
impacts, incorporating strategies such as maximizing natural lighting, implementing
solar heating systems, and utilizing renewable materials like bamboo. These methods not
only reduce energy and water consumption but also improve waste management in
buildings where people spend the majority of their time. While previous research has
demonstrated a connection between stakeholder awareness and the adoption of green
construction technologies, this relationship had not been specifically examined in Nairobi
City County, Kenya, creating a gap in localized understanding. This study investigated
the adoption of environmentally friendly building practices in Langata, Nairobi County,
focusing on three key aspects: the level of green building awareness among construction
professionals, existing regulatory measures for sustainable construction, and
environmental sustainability indicators of green technologies. The research employed
mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection
techniques through semi-structured questionnaires, inspection checklists, and interviews.
The study focused on a sample of 100 construction practitioners, including quantity
surveyors and project managers, as well as residential buildings of two floors or more
constructed between 2010 and 2020, ensuring consistency in the types of structures
analyzed. Statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software revealed
significant findings through regression analysis. The results showed that awareness levels
among professionals had a measurable impact on adoption rates, with an R-Square value
of 0.106, F-statistic of 10.357, and a p-value of 0.002. Regulatory measures showed
stronger influence with an R-Square of 0.172, F-statistic of 15.644, and p-value of 0.003,
while environmental sustainability indicators demonstrated the strongest relationship
with an R-Square of 0.241, F-statistic of 13.742, and p-value of 0.002. The findings
uncovered several critical issues in the local construction sector. More than half (51.2%)
of construction workers demonstrated limited awareness of green building concepts, with
only 21.3% being familiar with the Kenya Green Building Society, and a mere 15% had
received any formal training in sustainable construction methods. While some regulatory
measures were being implemented to a moderate extent as indicated by a mean score of
2.61, green building policies have not yet been fully integrated into official construction
guidelines. Moreover, certain sustainable practices like waste management and energy
efficiency showed moderate adoption rates, with a mean score of 3.05, suggesting
gradual progress in implementation. The study concludes that despite growing global
emphasis on sustainable construction, significant barriers remain in the local context,
particularly regarding awareness and policy implementation. The research recommends
comprehensive training programs for construction professionals, stronger enforcement
of existing regulations, and government incentives to encourage wider adoption of green
technologies. These findings are likely to contribute valuable insights for policy makers
and industry stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable development in Nairobi and
similar urban environments, while also providing a foundation for future research in this
critical area of environmental sustainability
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Environmental Science in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Kenyatta University, August 2025
Supervisor:
1.Esther Kitur
2.Joseph Onyango Gweyi