The impact of green building technologies adoption on occupancy levels in commercial office spaces in Kampala

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of green building technologies (GBTs) adoption on occupancy levels of commercial office buildings in Kampala, Uganda, amidst rising climate change challenges. Using a survey research design, data was collected from 63 respondents, including property managers, tenants, and engineers, across 18 Grade A commercial office buildings. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including linear regression, were employed to analyse the relationship between GBT adoption and occupancy rates. The results reveal a weak and statistically insignificant impact of GBTs on occupancy levels, with an R-square of 0.044 and a p-value of 0.403. Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems were the most adopted GBTs (67% and 39% respectively) and showed a stronger positive influence on occupancy (mean scores of 1.50 and 1.61), while rainwater harvesting and green roofs had lower adoption (11%) and impact (mean scores of 2.50 and 2.33). Key barriers to GBT adoption included high initial costs and lack of awareness. Tenant preferences prioritized location, safety, and amenities over GBTs. The findings suggest that while GBTs offer environmental benefits like energy savings, their effect on occupancy is limited in Kampala’s case. The study recommends financial incentives, awareness campaigns, and prioritizing high impact GBTs to enhance adoption and occupancy levels. It also calls for further research with a larger sample to explore additional variables influencing occupancy and validate these findings. This research contributes to understanding sustainable construction practices and their financial implication in developing countries.