scholarly journals Exploring the Factors Hindering the Use of Green Architecture in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auwalu Faisal Koko ◽  
Muhammed Bello
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Green Architecture ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
The Government

The construction industry in Nigeria has continuously witnessed rapid development as a result of massive investments in infrastructural projects such as housing. The continuous growth of this industry and the conventional approach to construction practices in Nigeria have negatively affected the environment and the wellbeing of the populace. Therefore, the concept of green architecture, also known as sustainable architecture, is a new approach in Nigeria’s construction industry that strives to achieve environmental sustainability. However, various factors have hindered its adoption and utilisation. This study, therefore, examined the various factors hindering the use of green architecture through various literature reviewed and administered questionnaires to built environment professionals in Nigeria to ascertain their perception of those identified factors. Data gathered from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistical tools and ranked according to each factor’s mean index score and relative importance index. The results of the study revealed the most prominent factors hindering the utilisation of green architecture in Nigeria. Hence, findings from this study suggest that more efforts such as public enlightenment and the provisions of incentives are needed to be done by the government, built environment professionals, and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s construction industry for the promotion of green architecture.

A benchmarking approach to the progress of green materials and systems’ use in the UAE construction industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aly Elgayar ◽  
Salwa Mamoun Beheiry ◽  
Alaa Jabbar ◽  
Hamad Al Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Green Materials ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines

Purpose Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced several green regulatory guidelines, federal decrees, and a considerable number of environmentally friendly initiatives. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the top green materials and systems used currently in the UAE construction industry as per the new laws dictate as well as see if professionals are switching over to incorporate more green materials, systems, and/or designs. Design/methodology/approach The work involved reviewing internationally popular green materials and systems for construction, developing a questionnaire based on the literature review, surveying professionals in the seven UAE emirates, and ranking the findings based on the relative importance index. Findings Findings found the top used green materials and system in the UAE’s construction industry. As well as identified that there is a communication gap between the design and implementation phases that is possibly hindering the use of more green materials and systems. Originality/value This study sets a baseline to measure the UAE’s progress over the coming years in terms of integrating more green construction materials, systems, methodologies, and trends.

scholarly journals Construction safety performance assessment on construction site through frequency adjusted importance index in Tangerang Selatan

2019 ◽  
Vol 276 ◽  
pp. 02021
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Fassa ◽  
Irma Paramita Sofia
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Issue ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Project Site

The construction industry has a huge contribution to economic growth in the world, including Indonesia. Massive urban development occurs as a result of significant population growth. Along with the rapid development, safety issue in the construction site is often neglected. In 2017, there were found that more than 123 thousand cases of construction site accidents have happened. This numbers has increased by almost 20% compared with the number of accidents in 2016. The purpose of this study is to identify significant safety indicators affecting the construction project in Tangerang Selatan. Based on the literature review, a list of 22 safety indicators was produced. These indicators were used in the questionnaire. The main contribution of this paper is providing safety indicators ranking that affects construction work around Tangerang Selatan. The subject of this research includes contractor and consultant experts who work in construction project around Tangerang Selatan. From the survey, we obtained 41 valid responses which then were analyzed using FAII. As a result, we found that the indicator “the company provides safety training for each worker to act safely” has been considered as the most important safety indicator. It is followed by “the contractor always provides PPE such as helmets, boots, gloves, masks, and other tools that can get me out of an accident”. Then the third result is “there are safeguards on the project site; safety signs, fire extinguishers, and security fences”.

Gap analysis of green features in condominiums between potential homeowners and real estate agents

Facilities ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 630-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sui Pheng Low ◽  
Shang Gao ◽  
Ling Ling Grace Teo
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Real Estate Agents ◽  
The Government

Purpose The building sector is one of the main contributors to carbon dioxide emissions in Singapore. Over 90 per cent of life-cycle carbon emissions are due to the operations phase of buildings, and 90 to 98 per cent of the building cost is associated with operation, maintenance and personnel costs. Hence, occupants have a major role in achieving environmental sustainability objectives. This study aims to understand the awareness level of potential homeowners and real estate agents concerning environmental sustainability issues in the built environment, to identify the types of green features required by potential homeowners and to understand real estate agents’ perceptions of the types of green features required by the homeowners in a green condominium. Design/methodology/approach The features of the Green Mark (GM)-awarded buildings, as well as the benefits derived by homeowners were identified from the literature. A survey of a group of potential homeowners and real estate agents was carried out in Singapore to analyse the gap, if any, between the potential homeowners’ needs and expectations and real estate agents’ perceptions of these needs and expectations with respect to the green features in the homes. Findings The results indicate that potential homeowners are more aware of environmental sustainability issues in the built environment than are real estate agents; potential homeowners seem to be more supportive of environmentally sustainable development than the real estate agents are aware of, despite the fact that the price of the apartment remains an important deciding factor; and potential homeowners are more concerned about the ease of maintaining green homes and paying greater attention to green features in the areas most heavily promoted by the government. However, green features do not constitute the main considerations of potential homeowners when making the decision to buy a green home. Research limitations/implications To close the gaps identified in the analysis, recommendations are suggested, including having public education and awareness campaigns to emphasize the long-term energy savings of green homes, conducting GM courses for real estate agents and involving real estate agents in the developers’ project consultancy team. Originality/value As there has been no prior research in this area, this study serves to provide fresh perspectives on how developers can better select the types of green features to be included in the green homes, so as to meet the potential homeowners’ needs and expectations and, at the same time, balance mandatory GM requirements with such demands. Choosing the right type of green features to incorporate in a residential development for homeowners to utilize increases the owners’ satisfaction level and allows them to reap the intended benefits of green features.

scholarly journals Concept of Environmental Sustainability Awareness Strategies in Pre-Construction Stage

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-116
Author(s):  
Mohammad Affendy Omardin ◽  
Nazirah Zainul Abidin ◽  
Wan Dagang Wan Ali
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Construction Stage ◽  
Sustainability Concept ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
High Level ◽  
Managerial Level ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents an overview of the environmental sustainability concept through construction industry. The aim is to create a environmental sustainability through pre-construction stage. This could be achieved where as it is important to look into minimizing the impact on the environment. However, the enthusiasm in pursuing rapid development often causes environmental sustainability aspect being ignored. This research was conducted to study the level of environmental sustainability concern and practices in through pre- construction stage in construction industry. A selected of construction working managerial level were selected as respondents. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. More than 70% respondents being interview and have high level of environmental concern but moderate level of environmental sustainability practices. Most of the respondents concern about environmental issues. The study also have positive perceptions on environmental sustainability. The findings showed that there is a positive and pro-active between the level of environmental sustainability concern and practices in construction management. This indicates that the higher the level of environmental concern, the higher the level of practices in environmental sustainability among project practitioners. The implication of the study showed that coordinate effort should be taken by construction practices during pre- construction stage to enhance environmental sustainability practices more effective through construction project.

Evolution Mechanism of Off-site Construction Ecosystem Based on the LotkaäóñVolterra Model: A Case Study

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyun Xie ◽  
Chao Mao ◽  
Guiwen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Industry Chain ◽  
Production Relations ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Global Construction ◽  
Strategy Planning ◽  
The Government ◽  
Traditional Construction

Off-site construction (OSC) is an alternative method to conventional construction for solving problems of high energy consumption, high pollution, and poor efficiency. OSC is a reform trend for the global construction industry. The emergence of OSC can influence the production relations in traditional construction industry chain, thereby changing the roles of stakeholders in such new construction sector. Given that most developing countries at present are still in the initial stage of adopting OSC, their construction industry is far from forming healthy and symbiotic ecosystem and highly efficient industry chain. Therefore, the scientific and rapid development of OSC becomes restricted. This study analyzes the mechanism of OSC ecosystem, reduces the vague understanding of OSC by stakeholders, and provides a reference for the strategy planning of stakeholders. From the perspective of bionics, this study aims to (1) establish an OSC ecosystem based on the theory of ecology and delimit the role of stakeholders in the OSC ecosystem, and (2) establish a LotkaäóñVolterra model for the OSC evolution. The OSC development in Beijing is used as an example. Data are collected and models are verified to discuss the state, trend, and turning point of the OSC evolution. The findings of this study can help stakeholders in comprehensively understanding the inherent historical development of OSC and provide a reference for the government decision making.

scholarly journals Evolution Mechanism of Off-site Construction Ecosystem Based on the LotkaäóñVolterra Model: A Case Study

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyun Xie ◽  
Chao Mao ◽  
Guiwen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Industry Chain ◽  
Production Relations ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Global Construction ◽  
Strategy Planning ◽  
The Government ◽  
Traditional Construction

Off-site construction (OSC) is an alternative method to conventional construction for solving problems of high energy consumption, high pollution, and poor efficiency. OSC is a reform trend for the global construction industry. The emergence of OSC can influence the production relations in traditional construction industry chain, thereby changing the roles of stakeholders in such new construction sector. Given that most developing countries at present are still in the initial stage of adopting OSC, their construction industry is far from forming healthy and symbiotic ecosystem and highly efficient industry chain. Therefore, the scientific and rapid development of OSC becomes restricted. This study analyzes the mechanism of OSC ecosystem, reduces the vague understanding of OSC by stakeholders, and provides a reference for the strategy planning of stakeholders. From the perspective of bionics, this study aims to (1) establish an OSC ecosystem based on the theory of ecology and delimit the role of stakeholders in the OSC ecosystem, and (2) establish a LotkaäóñVolterra model for the OSC evolution. The OSC development in Beijing is used as an example. Data are collected and models are verified to discuss the state, trend, and turning point of the OSC evolution. The findings of this study can help stakeholders in comprehensively understanding the inherent historical development of OSC and provide a reference for the government decision making.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF MOUNT KINABALU, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Normah Abdul Latip ◽  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
Azizan Marzuki ◽  
Kamand Mohammadzadeh Roufechaei ◽  
Mohd Umzarulazijo Umar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Mount Kinabalu ◽  
Unesco World Heritage Site ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
The Impact

Tourism contributes to the conservation and protection of mountainous areas, and even the characteristics and activities of tourism also affect the environmental sustainability of an area. This study aims to identify tourist characteristics, their opinion towards a sustainable environment, their activities conducted at the park and environmental impacts. Overall, 383 respondents agreed to participate, and the response has been analysed using the relative importance’s of these activities, and environmental impacts were quantified by the relative importance index method. Most of them visited Mount Kinabalu to experience natural sightseeing and hiking activity. Majority of them know environmental concern but feeling that KNP is rather crowded. Overall, the most popular activities were mount climbing and wildlife sightseeing by domestic and international tourist. The result of the study also has shown that noise and air pollution were ranked as the most important environmental impacts factors. Considering mountain tourism is an attraction and contributor to the economy of Sabah, there must be effective preventive measures. Because of that, planning, implementing and strengthening new policies and rules for tourist activities regarding the conservation and protection will help to minimize the impacts of tourism. Through the results of the study using the Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis, it is hoped that it will be able to help provide suggestions and solutions to balance the impacts of tourism in Mount Kinabalu towards sustainability.

scholarly journals Critical Risk Factors of Construction Industry of Pakistan for Improving Project Outcome

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waqas Farid ◽  
Nadeem Ishaq Kureshi ◽  
Suqrat Babar ◽  
Shahid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Execution Phase ◽  
Project Outcome ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
Qualitative Risk Analysis

The aim of this paper is to identify various risk factors faced by construction industry during execution phase of the project. Relevant published literature was studied for the identification of the risk factors and professionals from the local construction industry of Pakistan were asked to rank these risk factors as per their impact on the local projects. Qualitative risk analysis was conducted using the RII (Relative Importance Index) scores and risk scores were calculated. To improve the quality of construction key risk factors highly influencing the local construction industry of Pakistan were identified. Amongst these factors, Construction delays due to unforeseen impediments, payment delays from Client and unreasonable and inflexible decisions were the crest causes highly influencing the project outcome. The top ten risks faced at projects in Pakistan were listed, discussed and conclusions were drawn.

Reframing construction within the built environment sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard de Valence
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Special Role ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Official statistics on the output of the construction industry capture on-site activities of contractors and sub-contractors; however, the role of the industry linking suppliers of materials, machinery, products, services and other inputs is also widely recognised. These two views have been called broad and narrow, with the narrow industry defined as on-site work and the broad industry as the supply chain of materials, products and assemblies, and professional services. An argument is made for using the term “built environment sector” (BES) for the broad industry definition of construction. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Construction industry statistics capture the on-site activities of contractors and sub-contractors. This paper reviews research that adds to construction output the contributions of suppliers of materials, machinery and equipment, products and components, professional services and other inputs required to deliver the buildings and structures that make up the built environment. Findings The same term, “construction”, has been used in a number of ways in different definitional studies of the narrow and broad industry. The term that best encompasses the large number and range of participants in the creation and maintenance of the built environment, from suppliers to end users, is the BES. Research limitations/implications Construction economics makes an important contribution to researching the macroeconomic role of the BES. There is also a special role for construction economics in researching both the boundaries of the BES and the data available on the industries that contribute to the BES. Practical implications Measuring the BES would improve the understanding of its macroeconomic role and significance. Social implications Measuring the BES would contribute to city policies and urban planning. Originality/value The paper proposes a new approach to defining and measuring the industries that contribute to the production, maintenance and management of the built environment. It introduces a new name for the combination of those industries.

Knowledge Management Influence on Safety Management Practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak M.D. ◽  
Gangadhar Mahesh ◽  
Narotham Kumar Medi
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Level Of Importance

Many studies have been conducted in relation with knowledge management (KM), indicating the benefit associated with KM; among which safety management (SM) improvement is one of them. So, the aim of this article is to assess the influence of KM on SM practices in construction industry. In this regard, various factors that affect KM and SM are identified through literature review. Then, a questionnaire survey was facilitated to collect data based on the identified factors. These factors are ranked using a relative importance index (RII) to ascertain the level of importance among its group. Further, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis are carried out to test and measure the strength of the relationship between KM and SM factors. Results indicate that there exists a definite and significant relationship between the factors of KM and SM in construction industry. Overall, the results obtained from the study will assist practitioners and professionals to develop and upgrade KM and SM practices in construction industry.

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