The environment: the fourth construction project objective?

The objectives of construction projects, from the client's point of view, are well known, and techniques have been developed to help practitioners achieve them. Ensuring that projects contribute towards protecting the environment is not yet one of these objectives. However, in almost all countries, issues relating to the environment are receiving attention from governments, non-governmental institutions and commercial organizations in most sectors of the economy, as well as from the general public. Statutory measures are being taken by governments to effect pollution control, resource conservation and protection of natural ecosystems. Productive enterprises are reviewing, and where necessary, changing aspects of their operations to address these concerns and comply with the increasingly more stringent requirements. Many environment-related statutes, regulations, codes and general policies have implications for the construction industry, affecting where constructed items are located, how they are planned a...