EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF INDIGENOUS BUILDING MATERIALS IN IMPROVING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN ZUBA METROPOLITAN AREA OF ABUJA IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The quest for affordable housing in Nigeria, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has led to a renewed interest in indigenous building materials. With the rising cost of conventional building materials and the environmental degradation associated with their production, there's a growing need to explore alternative, sustainable, and locally sourced materials. This study aims to investigate the potential of indigenous building materials in improving housing affordability in Zuba Metropolitan Area of Abuja. This study adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing a review of existing literature and case studies to evaluate the feasibility and challenges of using indigenous building materials in affordable housing projects. The research focuses on locally sourced materials such as bamboo, thatch, stones, timber, coconut tree, and grasses, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and meta-analysis to identify key concepts and sustainable architectural practices. The findings indicate that indigenous building materials offer several advantages, including Preservation of traditional architecture and cultural identity, Locally sourced materials reduce construction costs and Natural materials provide thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption. Conclusively, the study concludes that indigenous building materials have the potential to improve housing affordability in Zuba Metropolitan Area of Abuja. By adopting locally sourced materials, construction costs can be reduced, and environmental sustainability can be promoted. However, addressing the challenges associated with these materials is crucial for widespread adoption one the recommendation is to Promote the use of locally sourced materials in construction by Provide education and training on the benefits and use of indigenous building materials. Further research can be conducted on the properties and applications of indigenous building materials