MODELLING THE EMPIRICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GREEN TECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES AND SUSTAINABILITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Purpose: The global call for sustainability of construction projects in particular and the built environment in general demands that the construction professionals should have adequate knowledge of green technology and implement same in infrastructure development. The aim of the study was to establish the empirical relationship between green technology principles and sustainability of infrastructure development in Nigeria using structural equation modelling approach.

Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted survey research approach. Four hundred and fifty construction professionals were purposively selected from Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Enugu in Nigeria. A total of 346 copies were received giving a response rate of 76.68%. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. The model estimation and modification, verification and validation were carried out. The values of Chi-Square/Degree of Freedom, the Goodness of Fit, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Comparative Fit Index, Tucker Lewis Index, Normed Fit Index, Incremental Fit Index, and Relative Index are 1.976, 0.983, 0.062, 0.966, 0.971, 0.963, 0.959 and 0.974 respectively. The values of these model fit indices showed a satisfactory model fit.

Findings: The results reveal that green technology principles have a direct and positive influence on the sustainability of infrastructure development in Nigeria (β = 0.89). The extent of implementation of green technology principles has corresponding influence on environmental and social sustainability of infrastructure development. Empirically, green technology accounts for 74 % of the changes or variability of the sustainability in infrastructure development. Specifically, green technology principles account for 58.1%, 62.1%, 61.6%, 48%, and 57% of the variability in air pollution, noise pollution, re-provision of habitat (re-green/tree planting), safe management of wastes, and extent of encroachment at dump site respectively. This study concludes that the extent of implementation of green technology principles among construction professionals positively influenced the sustainability of infrastructure development.

Research limitations/Implications: The limitations include the use of only four Cities in Nigeria. There is need to increase the number of cities and geopolitical zones as well as the sample size. The contribution to knowledge is that this study empirically established the relationship between green technology and sustainability of infrastructure development.

Practical implications: It is recommended that construction professionals and relevant stakeholders in the built environment implement green technology principles for eco-friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable infrastructure development.

Originality/value: The study revealed the percentage contributions of the green technology to sustainability of infrastructure development in Nigeria.