Framework for evaluation of energy sustainability in university students’ housing in Ghana

Abstract

Traditional student housing designs have not adequately addressed sustainability, leading to thermal discomfort, poor indoor air quality, and inadequate acoustic and visual comfort, resulting in negative impacts on students’ health, academic performance, and social well-being. While previous research has largely centered on energy demand, power systems optimization, and usage behavior, less attention has been paid to the role of sustainable student housing design. The study aims to develop a conceptual framework to assess indoor energy sustainability in student housing in Ghana. It examines the impacts of sustainable design on energy consumption, identifies drivers and barriers to sustainable design, and evaluates behavioral control influences on energy consumption in Ghanaian student housing. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and integral sustainable design, the research adopts a pragmatist approach and uses an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The sample consists of 65 student housing units across Southern and Northern Ghana, involving 340 housing managers, 224 architects, 342 student housing leaders, 65 investors, and 12 energy experts for focus group discussions. The study uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM) with SmartPLS 4 software to analyze the relationship between sustainable housing design and energy consumption. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identifies the key drivers and barriers to sustainable housing design, and the Relative Importance Index (RII) evaluates the influence of student energy behaviors on energy consumption. Key findings reveal that sustainable design decisions are influenced by building orientation, envelope design, window glazing, indoor circulation area, and floor span. However, issues like low compliance with indoor circulation space and window glazing standards negatively impact energy efficiency. Major drivers for sustainable design include high energy costs, energy-sharing mechanisms, and health and safety concerns. Barriers include high upfront investment costs, lack of knowledge, limited skills, and expensive building materials. The study develops a four-quadrant integrated framework for indoor environmental energy sustainability in student housing, providing a foundation for university management and planning institutions in Ghana. It suggests further research into social, economic, and institutional sustainability, improving compliance with the Ghana Building Code, and fostering collaboration between the Ghana Energy Commission and the Physical Planning Unit.