Impact of Airflow Pattern in Urban Residential Buildings in Kubwa, Nigeria

Abstract

Fenestration sizes, in relation to room capacity, orientation, headroom, and aspect ratios from site planning, are the main factors that affect the airflow and air flush pattern of any neighbourhood. However, many Nigerian urban residential neighbourhoods rarely take these factors into account. This research examined the airflow pattern's effects on residents' comfort, health, and well-being, as well as the ventilation characteristics that are most common in Kubwa, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was developed to obtain information from 152 respondents using a quantitative research method. To determine the actual size of openings in buildings, physical measurements of their characteristics were made. The majority of window types frequently used by occupants, according to the research, were sliding windows, which act as the primary airflow entry point inside the structure. Considering that sliding windows might only provide 50% ventilation, the number of windows that are currently available is generally too small. Results indicate that windows are not always placed to take advantage of the direction of the prevailing wind and that building orientation is not always taken into consideration. Furthermore, it is uncommon for buildings to have an appropriate setback of more than one meter from either the perimeter fence or other buildings. Inadequate airflow into the buildings and a lack of suitable air flush within the buildings prevent the residents from having a healthy indoor environment. These are two consequences of these flaws in the construction of these buildings. More than ever, appropriate residential planning is required, together with strong enforcement of and adherence to local construction rules, in order to design buildings with adequate airflow while taking into account the climatic zones in which they are to be located.