Study on the Application of Smart Building Concept to Enhance Smart City Realization in Ethiopia: The Case of Adama City

Abstract

The Concept Of Smart Buildings Has Emerged As A Critical Component In The Development Of Smart Cities. However, Adama City Faces Significant Challenges In Integrating Smart Building Concepts In The Development Of Smart City. This Thesis Aimed To Investigate The Application Of The Smart Building Concept To Support The Realization Of Smart Cities, With A Focus On Adama City, Thereby Identify Factors That Influence The Successful Adoption Of Sbcs, Investigate The Barriers Hindering Their Implementation, And Develop A Framework For Adopting Smart Building Concepts In Adama City To Enhance Smart City Realization. The Study Employs A Mixed-Method Research Approach, Combining Qualitative Data From Literature Reviews With Quantitative Data Gathered From Construction Professionals Working In Adama City Through Structured Questionnaires. Data Were Analyzed Using Thematic Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Principal Component Factor Analysis And Kendall?�?S W Test With Tools Such As STATA And Excel. The Principal Component Factor Analysis Identified Three Key Factors Driving Smart Building Concept Adoption In Adama City: Policy Framework And Technological Integration, Environmental Sustainability And Energy Management, And Public Awareness And Education. These Factors Account For Approximately 80.48% Of The Total Variance In The Dataset, Indicating Their Significant Influence On SBC Adoption In Adama City. This Finding Underscores The Importance Of Addressing These Critical Areas To Promote The Widespread Adoption Of Sbcs In The Region. Inconsistent Government Policy, Inadequate Financial Mechanisms, High Design Costs, And Poor Maintenance Culture Were Identified As Significant Barriers To Smart Building Concept Adoption In Adama City, Exhibiting Correlation Coefficients Ranging From 0.65 To 0.85, Indicating A Strong Interrelationship Between Them.This High Degree Of Association Of Barriers Reinforces Their Collective Role In Obstructing The Effective Implementation Of Sbcs In The City, Emphasizing The Need For Comprehensive Strategies To Address These Challenges. The Proposed Framework Emphasizes The Need For Clear Policies, Financial Incentives, Capacity Building, And Pilot Projects To Foster A Supportive Environment For Sbcs. From The Analysis Of The Study, We Can Conclude That The Adoption Of Sbcs Is Primarily Driven By Key Factors, Including Strong Policy Frameworks And technological Integration, A Focus On Environmental Sustainability And Energy Management And Public Awareness And Education. These Findings Offer Actionable Insights For Policymakers, Urban Planners, And Stakeholders Involved In Smart City Initiatives, With Relevance To Adama And The Broader Ethiopian Context. Based On The Thesis Findings, The Recommendations Include: Strengthening Policy Frameworks, Enhancing Technological Integration And Innovation, Increasing Public Awareness And Professional Capacity Building, And Developing Financial Schemes To Support SBC Adoption In Adama City And The Broader Ethiopian Context.