Comparative Study On Sustainable Building Development In China And Kenya

The emphasis of this study was to examine the sustainable building aspects and approaches adopted by commercial structures in China and Kenya in order to address the gap between planned and practical sustainable buildings,to examine the sustainable building aspects and practices adopted in the commercial buildings and to identify appropriate approaches for implementing sustainable building technology.The study analyses data obtained from 4 commercial buildings in China and Kenya.Occupants and maintenance personnel of the 4 buildings responded to questionnaires.Data was also obtained by means of in situ investigation and review of available documents,journals and books.Modes of enquiry used were both qualitative and quantitative.The study found out that there is an insignificant gap between Indoor environment quality of planned green buildings and existing green buildings.However,the gap between indoor air quality of planned and practical sustainable buildings is alarming.People appreciate the ability of sustainable buildings to regulate the thermal comfort while conserving energy and the environment.Occupants were also pleased about the acoustic and visual comfort provided by the sustainable buildings.However,a few occupants in Shanghai tower were discontented with the colour of their offices.The study found out that there is need to come up with more effective ways to curb humidity challenges in the buildings.The study also noted that there was uniformity in the acceptability standards of sustainable structures in the two countries but the Kenyan buildings were generally under-utilized.The findings and recommendations of this study will contribute valuable knowledge to the field of Architecture,Construction and Engineering as it compares Kenyan and Chinese local building sustainable features.Its knowledge will form part of relevant literature in the field of construction for future studies as it assess the most significant challenges to the adoption of sustainable building technology in Kenya and China.