Integrating Internet of Things (IOT) Technologies and Sustainable Construction Materials for Smart and Resilient Buildings in Nigerian Cities
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Objective: Rapid urbanization, infrastructural deficits, and environmental degradation continue to challenge the sustainability of Nigerian cities. Buildings, which account for a significant proportion of energy consumption and material use, play a critical role in shaping urban sustainability outcomes. In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative technology capable of enhancing building performance through real-time monitoring, automation, and data-driven decision-making. Simultaneously, growing interest in sustainable construction materials, particularly those derived from local, agricultural, and industrial wastes, has gained traction as a means of reducing embodied energy and environmental impact. This paper examines the convergence of IoT technologies and sustainable construction materials within the Nigerian built environment, positioning smart buildings as foundational components of emerging smart city initiatives.
Methodology: The study adopts an extensive literature review combined with a contextual analysis of Nigerian case studies. It explores existing research on IoT applications in buildings and sustainable material use, while assessing their relevance and applicability within the Nigerian built environment.
Key Result: The study finds that IoT-enabled systems can significantly improve building performance by supporting energy efficiency, water management, safety, maintenance, and the performance validation of eco-friendly materials. It also reveals that sustainable materials derived from local, agricultural, and industrial wastes can reduce embodied energy and environmental impact when effectively integrated with smart technologies.
Conclusion: The paper concludes that integrating IoT technologies with sustainable construction materials provides a holistic pathway toward developing resilient, resource-efficient, and context-responsive buildings in Nigeria. However, challenges such as cost, inadequate infrastructure, policy limitations, and technical capacity must be addressed to enable scalable implementation across different building sectors.
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