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Energy saving in student housing has become a major challenge in the growing tertiary higher learning institutions in Africa. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the drivers of changes in energy-saving behaviours in student housing in Ghana.

This study is quantitative based on the theory of planned behaviour. A survey of 1,702 on-campus university student housing users in Northern Ghana was conducted using a simple random sampling technique. Behavioural drivers were conceptualised into two broad themes and analysed using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model tool.

The findings of this study accept the general view that behavioural factors affect energy saving. However, financial, indoor environmental quality and student housing energy management techniques positively determine changes in energy-saving behaviours in student housing than behavioural factors. Knowledge-related factors did not show any contribution to behavioural intentions of energy saving.

An all-inclusive energy-saving mechanism, highlighting improvement in student housing conditions, can enhance energy saving. Aside from this, increasing the attention to sustainability and energy efficiency programs in student housing environments can provide positive potential for energy saving in student housing.

Introducing the theory of planned behaviour in similar studies confirms the large contributions of behavioural drivers to energy saving. The additional exploration of other drivers in this study showcases the potential of influencing energy-saving decisions in student housing within the sub-Saharan sub-region.

This study aims to examine the relationship between supportive design (SD) and residential mobility of students with disabilities (SWD) in off-campus student hostels in Ghana.

Quantitative research techniques were adopted. A sample of 243 SWD living in 190 University Student Housing were selected. Based on the SD indicators, the partial least square structural equation model was used to explore its effects on residential mobility in SWD living in university housing.

Findings indicate that a sense of control and positive distraction significantly influence residential mobility to a greater extent than social support design. While the sense of control emerged as a primary predictor of residential mobility, no direct relationships were observed between the sense of control, positive distraction and social support. Although social support did not exhibit significant direct effects, its potential relevance to residential mobility cannot be dismissed.

The enhancement and compliance of a sense of control and positive distraction SD in the common areas in student housing will reduce SWD residential mobility and increase investors’ profitability. Positive social support designs are critical to predicting percentage change in residential mobility in off-campus student housing in Ghana.

SD is a theory largely used in health-care buildings. The observation of no relationship between a sense of control and positive distraction, and social support aspects of SD in university housing in this study significantly differs from the inverse relationship that exists between SD in hospitals, especially in the developing world, is a theoretical contribution.

This study aims to establish the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility in student housing in Ghana.

Using multiple regression and exploratory factor analysis through post occupancy evaluation, 26 indoor environmental quality (IEQ) indicators were explored among 1,912 students living in Purpose-Built off-campus university housing in Northern Ghana.

The study established a negative relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility among student housing in Northern Ghana. Residential mobility is primarily attributed to the dissatisfaction with thermal and indoor air quality.

The negative relationship affects vacancy and rental cashflows for property investors. Also, understanding local environmental conditions can influence future student housing design and enhance thermal and indoor air quality.

The authors contribute to studies on indoor environmental quality in student housing. In addition, establishing the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility in tropical African regions is novel.