Abstract:
The construction industry is one of the most significant producers of greenhouse gas emissions
on a global level. This emission from a building is caused by non-sustainable building materials,
which negatively influence the surrounding environment. It is possible to reduce environmental
pollution while simultaneously improving the economic perspective, resulting in higher profit
margins in the long run. It can be accomplished by improving resource utilization and resulting
in less wastage during construction. As a result, the primary goal of study's to assess the uses of
sustainable building materials in Jimma town. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative
data were employed. The approach of purposive data sampling and primary data collection was
obtained from questionnaires and interviews and secondary data obtained from different
published and unpublished document. The data were analyzed using an Excel (2010) template,
and the reliability of the research was determined by calculating the Cronbach's Alpha
coefficient, which measures the degree of consistency. The data was analyzed using the given
rate. It was discovered that the extent of applicability of sustainable building materials in Jimma
town were less applied, and that among the fourteen features of sustainable building materials,
the use of non or less toxic materials was ranked first with the value of (RII=0.701) and among
the challenges, the cost and risk-related challenges were ranked first with the value of
(RII=0.907). Government-related, technical and performance-related, market-related,
awareness and knowledge related challenges ranked one up to five respectively, and under the
role of construction professionals: carefully choice materials based on sustainable parameter
was ranked first with the value of (RII=0.918). The extent of applicability of sustainable building
materials was less extent in Jimma town and among five major challenges cost and risk
challenges the primary challenges to implement sustainable materials in Jimma town so that to
improve the uses of sustainable building materials in Jimma town; different sectors like;
government creating and implementing policy and review or updating urban planning and
construction code & professionals should be playing role on selection materials and improve
the uses of sustainable building materials
