The Culture of Practice: How the Organisational Culture of Architectural Firms Influences Sustainable Urban Development in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The global discourse on sustainable urban development often presumes a uniform context for professional architectural practice. However, this paper argues that the local organisational culture of architectural firms acts as a critical, yet overlooked, barrier to the widespread adoption of sustainable design. Through a qualitative, in-depth case study of eleven architectural firms in Lagos, Nigeria, this research identifies the key cultural dynamics that hinder sustainability efforts. The findings reveal two significant systemic barriers: the primacy of a ‘Client-Driven Context,’ where client demands for lower costs and faster delivery consistently override sustainability goals; and a ‘Validation Vacuum,’ an absence of local awards or professional recognition for sustainable design, which reinforces the focus on client satisfaction over innovation. This paper argues that these dynamics create a significant ‘culture-policy gap,’ where well-intentioned sustainability policies are likely to fail because they do not account for the on-the-ground realities of professional practice. By providing a nuanced understanding of these cultural forces, this research offers crucial insights for policymakers and professional bodies, concluding that achieving a sustainable built environment requires targeted, culturally sensitive interventions that address the profession itself.