*2.1.4 Lack of incentives that promotes green architecture*

*Zero-Energy Buildings - New Approaches and Technologies*

building users and the environment.

*2.1.3 Higher perceived cost associated with green architecture*

*2.1.2 Cultural and social resistance*

environmental engineer, landscape consultant, cost planner, and building surveyor [29]. This view is further supported by International Labour Office, who believes that the main reason for labour shortages and lack of industry skill in the construction industry is skill requirements change [30]. This is due to the introduction of green building designs, technologies, and practices, so previously satisfactory skill sets are no longer adequate. As a result of this, Opoku and Ahmed recognised the importance of building capacity as being an essential factor in the development of green architecture practices [28]. Therefore, built environment professionals need knowledge and technology that are better adapted to the natural resources to actualise the implementation of the various principles of green architecture. It is also essential for built environment professionals to adequately understand green architecture practice to be able to ensure that their decisions and actions regarding construction reduce the burden on

There is a common lack of concern about green architecture and the high tendency of maintaining conventional construction practices by the various stakeholders of the construction industry in most developing countries [31]. This neglect of green architecture practice is experienced differently through various stakeholders such as the built environment professions, design approving authorities, ministries of lands and housing, as well as local development authorities. Also, the construction industry in most developing countries is dominated by contractors and developers that are not interested in green technological changes that involve risks and extra costs [27, 32]. In such cases, construction favours the use of conventional practices and discourages other alternatives like the use of green architecture construction methods. The construction industry in Nigeria favours the use of sandcrete blocks and reinforced concrete, which is professionally termed wet construction, and neglects other forms of sustainable construction practiced globally. Another factor determined by Du Plessis to be hindering the use of green architecture is the low interest in sustainable construction practice by clients and other stakeholders in the construction industry [27]. This is caused as a result of ignorance by clients as it relates to the long-term advantages of utilising green architectural practices. Therefore, in order to revolutionise the current construction practice, especially as regards to construction methods and materials used. The various professionals of the construction industry must enlighten clients, and other stakeholders on the competitive advantages of utilising green architecture practices for building construction.

Various studies have identified the fear of higher investment costs for sustainable buildings as compared to conventional buildings and the risks of unforeseen costs as one of the barriers to the utilisation and practice of green architecture [26, 32–34]. The added cost of incorporating green architecture features into building projects, which mainly depends on local factors such as climate, building customs, and labour skill levels, often serves as a significant barrier to having green buildings in most developing countries like Nigeria. Hydes and Creech believe that the high cost of green architecture practice is mainly due to overestimating energy efficient cost measures, increased consultancy fees, and underestimation of cost-saving measures [35]. This high cost usually discourages the practice of green architecture. Therefore, in order to promote the practice of green architecture. Shi et al. suggested the incorporation of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) in all construction projects by

**18**

The construction industry in most developing countries seems to be lagging in terms of the provision of incentives to contractors who meet green building ratings and consultants who incorporate principles of green architecture into their designs [37–39]. This aligns with the assertion of Chan et al., Darko and Chan, as well as Darko et al., who identified the lack of government incentives as a critical barrier affecting the adoption of Green Building Technologies [40–42]. Therefore, in order to encourage the utilisation of sustainable architecture, the government needs to establish effective financial incentives and non-financial incentives schemes that would help to ease the high initial costs associated with green architecture. Arditi and Yasamis, Serpell et al., as well as Sodagar and Fieldson, believe that the provision of incentives can be used for promoting green buildings in construction contracts in order to reduce contract costs, minimise contract duration, and maintain an acceptable level of health and safety [43–45]. This will subsequently lead to productivity, technological progress; innovation; management efficiency; and satisfactory quality of construction. Therefore, the provision of incentives will undoubtedly reduce the high start-up cost associated with green architecture and promote its usage and development.
