Abandoned building projects: Source of environmental degradation

Abstract

Buildings irrespective of size, form and function have effect on observers and also the physical environment. The effect could either be positive or negative. The issue of abandoned buildings in Nigeria is not a new phenomenon. Depending on how one looks at it, it represents a failure in that a specific goal has not been achieved. This paper examines abandoned buildings as sources of environmental degradation. It highlights factors that are responsible for abandoned buildings as largely man-made such as insufficient budget provision for the project and litigation, among others. It presents findings on some of the abandoned buildings in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. The paper recommends reclaiming of titles by the government on the one hand and periodic evaluation of distressed properties with a view to determining and preventing abandonment of buildings on the other.