Implementing sustainable construction principles and practices by key stakeholders

The term ‘sustainable construction’ is used to highlight the responsibility of the construction industry in attaining sustainable development (SD). With the increasing necessity for resource efficiency and climate change adaptation, there is a need for construction key stakeholders to implement sustainable principles and practices in construction projects. In the UK context, engaging in such action will facilitate the government target of 80% greenhouse gas reduction by 2050 and also be a potential source of competitive advantage in the future. The aim of this study is to examine how the industry values and promotes sustainable principles and practices in construction projects. A quantitative research method was adopted in order to reach a wider audience in the industry. An online questionnaire survey was used to collect data. The key finding from the survey is that the level of construction industry promotion of sustainable principles and practices is less than it should be. The outcome of the survey suggests that the industry needs to strategise on how to champion and promote the implementation of sustainable principles and practices at a greater level if the industry is to contribute to the global quest for SD.

[1]  Yacine Rezgui,et al.  Harvesting and Managing Knowledge in Construction: From Theoretical Foundations to Business Applications , 2011 .

[2]  P. Lombardi.  Responsibilities toward the coming generation forming a new creed , 2001 .

[3]  David Greenwood,et al.  Managing project knowledge in delivering sustainable retrofitted buildings: A decision support framework , 2015 .

[4]  Nazirah Zainul Abidin,et al.  Investigating the awareness and application of sustainable construction concept by Malaysian developers , 2010 .

[5]  Vivian W. Y Tam,et al.  Project feasibility study: the key to successful implementation of sustainable and socially responsible construction management practice , 2010 .

[6]  Lena Vogler,et al.  Sustainable Construction Green Building Design And Delivery , 2016 .

[7]  Vivian W. Y Tam,et al.  Collaboration Among Project Participants Towards Sustainable Construction – A Hong Kong Study , 2008 .

[8]  David Greenwood,et al.  Exploring knowledge management principles for decision- making in low-energy building for sustainability in construction , 2015 .

[9]  S. Parkin.  Sustainable development: the concept and the practical challenge , 2000 .

[10]  K. Hewage,et al.  Sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry: current practices, drivers and opportunities , 2015 .

[11]  Jerry Yudelson,et al.  Greening Existing Buildings , 2009 .

[12]  Sophie A. Nicholson-Cole,et al.  Barriers perceived to engaging with climate change among the UK public and their policy implications , 2007 .

[13]  Mike Riley,et al.  Towards sustainable construction: promotion and best practices , 2009 .

[14]  Chimay J. Anumba,et al.  Process Management Approach for Achieving Total Building Performance: Essential Requirements for Sustainable Construction , 2013 .

[15]  Yasuyoshi Miyatake,et al.  Technology Development and Sustainable Construction , 1996 .

[16]  Jorge A Vanegas,et al.  Road map and principles for built environment sustainability. , 2003, Environmental science & technology.

[17]  Yacine Rezgui,et al.  Engaging construction stakeholders with sustainability through a knowledge harvesting platform , 2014, Comput. Ind..

[18]  M A Sinclair,et al.  Questionnaire design. , 1975, Applied ergonomics.

[19]  Charles J. Kibert,et al.  Sustainable Construction : Green Building Design and Delivery , 2005 .

[20]  Chimay J. Anumba,et al.  Managing Knowledge in the Context of Sustainable Construction , 2006, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[21]  Paul Bowen,et al.  Sustainable construction: principles and a framework for attainment , 1997 .

[22]  S. Sterling,et al.  Education for sustainability , 1996 .