| dc.description.abstract | As construction costs increase and the need for more
buildings increases, it is important that the present
stock of buildings is well maintained to ensure a long
life span. But many buildings are not maintained to
the acceptable standard and thus have shortened life
spans. The research looks into the possible reasons
for this, with emphasis on the relationship between
the design and maintenance of buildings.
The research is carried out in Nairobi. The case study
is at the University of Nairobi, with particular
r,eference to Nqala Hall of Residence.
The findings revealed that although there is a well
established relati9nship between the design and
maintenance of buildings, it is well often not taken
into serious consideration. Maitenance problems were
attributed to lack of this, in addition to a peer and
ineffective maintenance policy and to the carelessness
of the user.
In view of the above weakness in the maintenance of
buildings, the study recommends that designers be
legally bound to consider maintenance as one of their
basic desian criteria: maintenance policies should be
more efficient and integrated and the user should be
educated on the maintenance of the building | en |
