Factors affecting sustainable infrastructure delivery in South Africa - a case of Gauteng province

Abstract

Infrastructure plays a crucial role in the economic growth and development of any country; therefore, it is important to ensure adequate investments for the delivery of infrastructure services. This paper assessed factors affecting the development of sustainable infrastructure in South Africa. The identified factors can be utilised by government as reference to enhance the delivery of sustainable infrastructure. To achieve the objective of the study, Quantitative data was collected. The study used a sample size of 57 out of the 65 questionnaires (a response rate of 87.7%) which were answered by professionals in the built environment viz. Architects, Property Developers, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers, Construction and Project Managers. The data collected was then analysed and interpreted using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software to provide mean item scores, standard deviations and Cronbach’s alpha. Given the explored factors which affect the delivery of sustainable infrastructure, the results have established that due to developers habit of building to maximise profit only, not for end-users’ comfort and the initial high cost required to develop sustainable infrastructure were the major factors that affect the delivery of sustainable infrastructure. It is recommended that the government develop clear, stable and credible policies that will attract investors who will be committed to inject financial resources into infrastructure development and alter the existing building regulations to complement the sustainable development goals.