The Engagement of Built-Environment Professionals, A Factor For Improving Housing Transformation in Public Housing Estates in Owerri, Nigeria.

Abstract

The need to improve housing quality in public housing estates has been a matter of concern to housing scholars in developing nations like Nigeria. Consequently, the problem of some residents transforming their houses without engaging built-environment professionals has been identified in literature.  The objective of this study was to examine the engagement of building professionals during physical changes and its influence on addition of makeshift structures to public housing estates in Owerri Capital Territory. The study relied on data gathered through a questionnaire survey of 309 residents in the study population. The variables in focus: engagement of building professionals during physical changes and addition of makeshift structures at the fence of public housing estates in the study area were tested using Point Biserial analysis tool and the result showed a significant correlation with p<0.5. The implications of the findings were that engagement of relevant building professionals by residents in making physical changes in their housing will reduce the indiscriminate and inappropriate extension of makeshift structures at the fence of their houses.  It was recommended that Government and public housing developers should ensure that certified building industry professionals carry out effective development control to mitigate the impact of transformation on housing quality.