The Value of Sustainable Design in Real Estate: A Case Study of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana

This study examines the relationship between sustainability features and property values of educational buildings at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. Using data from 31 buildings, the research combines descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to assess how energy, water, and material savings influence property  valuation while controlling for gross internal area and number of floors above grade. The results show that building size and energy related sustainability features (captured in lnPC1) are significant and positive predictors of property value, whereas water and materials savings (PC2) exhibit limited or no significant effects.

Correlation analysis further reveals strong associations between property value, gross internal area, base utility costs, and carbon emissions, indicating that the market recognizes operational cost intensity but undervalues other green attributes. These findings suggest that current valuation practices in Ghana do not fully capture the economic benefits of sustainable design in educational infrastructure. The study recommends integrating sustainability metrics into property valuation standards, strengthening data disclosure, and developing green certification schemes to enhance the financial visibility of sustainable educational buildings.