Climate-Smart Housing Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development in Nigeria: A Review of the Architect’s Integrative Role

Abstract

Climate change and rapid urbanisation are intensifying housing deficits and environmental pressures in Nigeria, necessitating a transition toward climate-smart housing systems. However, there is a lack of empirically validated architect-centred integration frameworks linking design, materials, and digital technologies. This study addresses this gap by adopting a PRISMA-based systematic review methodology, analysing 57 peer-reviewed journal articles (2016–2026) selected from an initial pool of 493 records, following PRISMA guidelines and supported by international policy reports. The study synthesises evidence across three core domains: passive design strategies, low-carbon materials, and digital technologies. Findings show that passive strategies reduce operational energy demand by 30–50%, low-carbon materials decrease embodied emissions by 30–40%, and digital technologies enhance construction efficiency and reduce waste by 15–25%. Inferential analysis using a Chi-square test (χ² = 0.94, p > 0.05) indicates no statistically significant difference in thematic prominence, confirming that these strategies are complementary rather than hierarchically dominant. The results further reveal strong correlations between passive design and thermal comfort, low-carbon materials and emission reduction, and digital technologies and lifecycle optimisation. Despite these benefits, adoption remains constrained by institutional inefficiencies, financial limitations, and gaps in technical capacity. The study establishes the architect as a system integrator within socio-technical housing systems, capable of aligning environmental performance, material innovation, and technological application. It concludes that architect-led, interdisciplinary, and policy-supported approaches are essential for scaling climate-smart housing and achieving sustainable urban transformation.