Characterisation of Uses and Choice of Building Materials in Greater Lomé (Togo): Sustainability Issues

Abstract

The built environment of Greater Lomé has undergone rapid expansion for decades, resulting in a sharp increase in the consumption of a wide range of construction materials. However, the types of construction materials used have a considerable influence on the sustainability of the city. The study aims to characterise the use of building materials in Greater Lomé from a sustainability perspective. This involves distributing the rates of material use by trade in construction and analysing the factors that lead to the choice of these materials in Greater Lomé. Data on the distribution of materials was collected from a total of 714 structures, and data on usage factors was collected from 20 stakeholders in the construction sector, particularly professionals and materials suppliers. It appears that the majority of materials used in structural work and finishing work are not sustainable. This predominance is linked to a number of factors, including technical requirements, material availability and the low consideration given to environmental factors when choosing materials. By highlighting the use of materials in Greater Lome, the study highlights the need to implement policies promoting the use of local and sustainable materials.