UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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Usage of Blockchain Technology in Real Estate Transactions in Lagos State, Nigeria
Full text linkThe study examined the use of blockchain technology in real estate transactions in Lagos State, Nigeria, by assessing the level of adoption among estate surveying and valuation firms and the factors influencing its adoption. The data for this study were collected through questionnaires administered to estate surveying and valuation firms located on Lagos Island, Lagos State. The questionnaires provided the firms’ opinions on the adoption of blockchain technology, their level of awareness of blockchain technology and the factors influencing its adoption. The data analysis revealed that real estate practitioners were very aware of various blockchain applications, including fintech, cryptocurrency, smart contracts, and cross-border transactions, which are useful tools that estate surveyors and valuers can adopt in real estate practice and transactions. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that regulatory challenges, trust issues, and poor internet provision compromise the adoption and usage of blockchain technology in Lagos State. The study recommends frequent sensitisation of members by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and the creation of an enabling environment by the government, as the use of this emerging technology is facilitated by infrastructure such as regular internet and electricity supply
Spatial Pattern of Residential Land Prices in Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania
Full text linkThe analysis of spatial patterns and variations in urban land prices aids urban planning, socioeconomic analysis, investment decisions, resource allocation, and monitoring of urban spatial growth and land market dynamics. However, scholarly research on the spatial patterns of urban land prices in Sub-Saharan African cities with predominantly informal land markets and settlements remains limited. This study applied spatial statistics to analyse the spatial autocorrelation of residential land prices (RLPs) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aiming to understand their spatial distribution and variation. Global indicators of spatial association (GISA) and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) were utilised, calculating global Moran’s I and local Moran’s I, respectively, using 452 RLP data from 2020 collected by the Government Chief Valuer. GISA results revealed highly clustered RLPs with strong positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I = 0.83). LISA analysis identified clusters of sub-wards with lower RLPs below the mean, dominating the city's land market. Statistically significant and non-significant LISA results delineated peri-urban and rapidly growing areas. This study provided evidence-based insights for urban planning, policies, infrastructure development, and investor decisions, highlighting the importance of spatial statistics at the regional and sub-regional levels in understanding and improving urban dynamics and land market efficiency
Residential Real Estate Market Characteristics and Mortgage Origination in Emerging Economies: The Case of Ghana
Full text linkThis study analyses the relationship between mortgage origination and residential real estate property characteristics in Ghana. Using transaction-based data on 1476 mortgages from 2008 to 2016, we apply the hedonic pricing model and multivariate regression to establish the role of structural property characteristics and residential real estate sub-markets in determining mortgage origination, separated into loan amount and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Further, the risk of default in the mortgages is estimated as an additional risk assessment tool for lenders. The findings reveal that residential sub-markets are important variables to consider when mortgages are originated. In Ghana, properties in Upmarket, Emerging upmarket, and Middle-income sub-markets tend to attract lower loan values in comparison to properties in Gated communities, primarily due to their neighbourhood characteristics. In addition, properties in emerging, upmarket, and middle-income sub-markets attract higher LTV ratios. It was revealed that in upmarket areas, the number of bedrooms, detached, and outhouses does not contribute to determining the risk of default in mortgages. We also find that the risk of default by mortgage borrowers is negligible, indicating that lenders can safely expand their customer base. The findings offer rare insights into the emerging mortgage market in Africa for both policy and investment purposes
Use of human hair as nesting material in an Australian passerine, the Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis
Full text linkA broad range of avian taxa are known to incorporate mammalian hair and fur into their nest materials and at least two reported observations involve birds using human hair. This note reports behaviour of an Australian passerine, the Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis purposefully undertaking repeat visits to the same site to collect strands of human hair to supplement the structure of its nest. Apart from demonstrating ingenuity in this species, the observations expand our limited knowledge of avian use of human hair
Construction Claim Management among Small and Medium-Sized Contractors: A Case Study of Sri Lanka amidst its Financial Crisis
No full textThis study reviews construction claims management among Small and Medium-sized Contractors (SMCs) in developing countries, focusing on Sri Lanka during its financial crisis. Economic crises intensify the sector’s inherent risks and complexities, increasing claims and delaying project delivery for SMCs. The research identifies deficiencies in current claims management practices and suggests strategies for improvement during such events. A mixed-method approach, including literature reviews, surveys, and expert interviews, explores claim types, origins, and the specific impacts of exceptional events on SMCs. The findings highlight challenges such as skill shortages, gaps in contractual knowledge, insufficient delay analysis, inadequate documentation, high staff turnover, and poor negotiation and communication. To address these issues, the study proposes strategies such as implementing robust record-keeping systems, improving contractual knowledge through staff training, and fostering better collaboration and communication with project stakeholders to enable SMCs to manage claims effectively during economic crises. This research provides practical suggestions to improve claims management practices and build resilience for future crises, contributing to the stability and development of the construction industry in similar contexts
Factors Influencing End–Users' Decision on the Purchase of Brands of Cement
Full text linkCement is one of the most essential construction materials used as a binder in mortar or concrete. This research determined factors influencing end–users' decisions to purchase cement brands. The objectives of the study were to identify prevailing cement brands in the study area and the purchase decision factors. This research sourced data through a questionnaire survey. Two hundred and three (203) questionnaires were administered to construction industry professionals randomly sampled from a list of active sites on Lafarge Cement Lagos Island (Simawa) and Mainland (Ikeja and Lekki – Ajah) Sales Excellence archive (as at March 2023), with one hundred and nineteen (119) returned (58.6% return rate). Findings revealed the most prevalent cement brand to be DanCem (AHP eigenvalue = 0.39). This is followed by the Lafarge brand – both Elephant Classic and Elephant Supaset cement (0.23). The most prominent factor influencing end–users' decision to purchase cement brand(s) is the company responsibility (Eigenvalue = 11.23), which explains 28.8% of the total Variance in the initial 39 itemised factors. The cement and cement properties follow this. However, the role of technical assistance was highlighted as germane to end-users’ purchase decisions. The research also recommends further studies on the socio-ecological dimensions of cement for sustainable development and supply chain management
Two new larval host-plants of the moth Lophonotidia melanoleuca (Lepidoptera: Agaristinae)
Full text linkSouth Africa is exceptionally rich in endemic species. However, we continue to lack a detailed understanding of the ecology and life history of many of these taxa, including the 11,000 species of native Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Here, we document the caterpillars of the moth Lophonotidia melanoleuca feeding on Red bush willow Combretum apiculatum and Bushveld grape Rhoicissus revoilii. It has previously only been recorded feeding on the foliage of Ivy-grape Cissus cornifolia. Taxonomically, Red bush willow is an unusual host-plant for this sub-family of Lepidoptera, and highlights persistent gaps in our knowledge of even these relatively familiar insect species. Such knowledge is fundamental for effective conservation and further biological research
African Red-eyed Bulbul in Stanford, Western Cape
Full text linkAn African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans was observed in a suburban garden on 26 May 2024, in Stanford, Western Cape, South Africa. There is another record farther south on the Agulhas Plain. Given the fact that this bulbul is expanding southwards, all bulbuls in the Western Cape need to be carefully checked to determine the species
The longest distance recovery of Cape Sparrow: 421 km in Namibia
Full text linkThe longest distance a Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus has moved between the sites of ringing and recovery is 421 km from southern to central Namibia
Cooperative hunting in the Australian Raven with a large fruit bat as the target prey
Full text linkAvian predation is a major cause of natural mortality in bats. This study presents an observation of a group of Australian Ravens Corvus coronoides swooping upon a fully-grown Black Flying-fox Pteropus alecto and successfully dislodging it from its perch. The ravens were able to bring the bat to ground level by cooperatively sustaining bombardments to prevent the bat from taking flight after it lost its hold of the foliage. This observation is significant considering that current documentation on predation by Australian Ravens and other corvids mostly pertains to insects, arachnids and molluscs. Reports of corvids feeding on larger prey typically relate to scavenging carrion or targeting weakened individuals. An adult Black Flying-fox, with a body mass of 500–950 g and head-body length of 24–28 cm, is a novel food item, especially in this case where the bat had displayed no visible signs of sickness or external injuries that would suggest it was a weaker target than conspecifics in the same colony