Competencies of the quantity surveyor in performing for sustainable construction

Abstract

Sustainable construction has become a feasible solution for overcoming various social, economic and environmental issues faced by the construction industry. Because of the vital role quantity surveyors play in construction, involvement in sustainable construction has become essential. However, there is a literature gap and an industry need to identify how quantity surveying inputs can contribute to sustainable construction. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the significance of quantity surveying competencies in sustainable construction in Sri Lanka. A literature review was first carried out followed by interviews and a questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that construction technology and environmental services; computer literacy; ethics and professional practice; leadership and management; and measurement and costing as areas in sustainable construction which are significant to quantity surveyors, and therefore, competencies in these areas need to be developed. The research ranked sustainable approaches and sustainable techniques based on the significance of their associated quantity surveying inputs. The research recommends construction technology and environmental services; computer literacy; ethics and professional practice; leadership and management; and measurement and costing as areas in which competencies of quantity surveyors need to be given consideration in sustainable approaches and sustainable techniques. Quantity surveyors possessing these competencies will enhance sustainable construction.