Prioritizing sustainability strategies for linear infrastructure 4.0 projects in developing countries: an expert assessment

Accelerating urbanization around the world has created an unprecedented demand for public infrastructure. Increasingly, governments around the world have been gaining finances through private sector capital, and utilizing such procurement methods as a vehicle for delivery. These procurement methods have the potential to gain efficiency, innovation and better Value for Money through pooling resources with the private sector while offering essential social and economic services to society. Meanwhile, the sustainability of all projects undertaken within the construction industry is progressively becoming more relevant. Importantly, infrastructure projects in the public sector have become more and more highly scrutinized on their sustainability. Previous studies ignored the facts that privately financed public infrastructure (PFPI) projects are substantially different from other construction projects mainly due to their long life cycle and resultant uncertainties and risks, and, subsequently, hold a distinct way of achieving sustainability goals and impacting on the interlinked human and built environment. Therefore, the achievement of overall sustainability and value-for-money in PFPI projects are hindered. This paper explores key factors contributing to the sustainability in PFPI projects. The findings will be utilized for a future research project to establish a particular way to facilitate the achievement of sustainability in public infrastructure projects.

PurposeThe contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely acknowledged. However, limited studies have shed light on the connection between PPPs and the achievement of these coveted goals in Ghana. In this study, the authors aimed at analysing and synthesising the existing literature on the use of PPP to achieve sustainability in infrastructure projects in the country.Design/methodology/approachA three-step approach was used to retrieve and review 60 selected articles aided by content analysis.FindingsThe analysis showed that all existing relevant publications on the application of the PPP model to attain UN’s SDGs in the country are organised around dominant themes, such as poverty alleviation, urban development, waste management and risk management. However, the review revealed little studies exist on pertinent issues relating to PPPs and sustainable development goals, such as climate action, critical resilience, sustainable finance and clean energy.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study is limited to 60 articles in Ghana, the results reveal pertinent gaps for further research studies to achieve sustainable infrastructural development in Ghana and other countries.Practical implicationsHolistically, the outcome of this study will serve as a guide to project managers to understand essential issues on attaining sustainability on public projects.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature and practice on the significance of PPP in mainstreaming UN's SDGs in public infrastructure projects.

In the current realities of a full-scale war, economic, political, and environmental crises in Ukraine, the issue of post-war recovery and further sustainable economic development is of paramount importance. The path to sustainable recovery depends significantly on the end of the war, successful implementation of infrastructure projects, and continued international support. However, any process should begin with a thorough analysis of its theoretical implications and a comprehensive evaluation of its concept. The aim of the research is to investigate the evolution of research on “infrastructure projects” within the context of sustainable development. Research methods involve bibliometric analysis, data extraction, keyword analysis, network analysis, and data visualization. The article explores the theoretical principles of infrastructure projects as a driver for the sustainable development of Ukraine. Within the scope of this research, a bibliometric analysis of the essence of the terms “infrastructure project” and "sustainable infrastructure project” was conducted. It revealed a dynamic evolution in the scholarly discourse surrounding “infrastructure projects”. While the term “infrastructure project” has been present in academic literature since 1979, a significant surge in research activity is evident from the early 2000s onwards. This surge reflects a growing recognition of the critical role infrastructure plays in economic and social development, alongside the escalating concerns surrounding environmental sustainability and climate change. The emergence and rapid growth of research on “sustainable infrastructure projects” is a notable trend. This indicates a relatively recent but rapidly evolving area of scholarly inquiry, reflecting the increasing emphasis on environmental, social, and economic sustainability in infrastructure development. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the evolving discourse on sustainable infrastructure and its potential role in Ukraine's post-war recovery.

Linear infrastructure such as roads, railways, bridges and tunnels enable critical functionality within and between metropolitan and regional cities and towns, facilitating the movement of goods and services, as part of vibrant, thriving economies. However, these asset types are typically challenged by costly asset management schedules and continually eroding maintenance and refurbishment budgets. These challenges are compounded by the increasing frequency and intensity of disruptive events such as fire, floods, and storm-surge that can damage or destroy property. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG-9) highlights the urgent need for enabling evidence-based decision making for infrastructure asset management (IAM). Around the world, digital engineering (DE) efforts are underway to streamline the capture, processing, and visualization of data for IAM information requirements, towards timely and evidence-based decision support that enables resilient infrastructure outcomes. However, there is still limited understanding about which IAM information can be digitized and the types of tools that can be used. This study sought to address this knowledge gap, through reviewing the extent of available and emerging linear infrastructure related DE technologies and their IAM information requirements. A systematic literature review elicited 101 relevant conceptual and empirical papers, which were subsequently evaluated with regard to the extent and characteristics of digital infrastructure asset management tools. Findings are discussed using three themes that emerged from the analysis: (1) DE tools and their IAM asset information requirements; (2) Interoperability and integration of DE tools across IAM platforms; and (3) Application of DE tools to enable resilient linear infrastructure outcomes. A ‘Digital Technology Integration Matrix’ is presented as an immediately useful summary for government and industry decision-makers, particularly in the field of disaster management preparedness and recovery. The Matrix communicates the synthesis of tools and likely end-users, to support effective data gathering and processing towards more timely and cost-effective infrastructure asset management. The authors conclude with a research roadmap for academics, including recommendations for future investigation.

Smart governance—the integration of digital technologies into urban governance—is increasingly recognized as a transformative approach to addressing complex urban challenges such as rapid urbanization, climate change, social inequality, and resource constraints. As a foundational pillar of the smart city paradigm, it enhances decision-making, service delivery, transparency, and civic participation through data-driven tools, digital platforms, and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain. While often positioned as a pathway toward sustainability and inclusivity, existing research on smart governance remains fragmented, particularly regarding its relationship to urban sustainability. This study addresses that gap through a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology, synthesizing theoretical models, empirical findings, and diverse case studies. It identifies key enablers—such as digital infrastructure, data governance, citizen engagement, and institutional capacity—and highlights enduring challenges including digital inequity, data security concerns, and institutional inertia. In response to this, the study proposes a multidimensional framework that integrates governance, technology, and sustainability, offering a holistic lens through which to understand and guide urban transformation. This framework underscores the importance of balancing technological innovation with equity, resilience, and inclusivity, providing actionable insights for policymakers and planners navigating the complexities of smart cities and urban development. By aligning smart governance practices with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDG)—particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities—the study offers a strategic roadmap for fostering resilient, equitable, and digitally empowered urban futures.

ABSTRACTThe United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the integration of environmental, social, and economic sustainability into business operations to foster positive societal impact. While environmental sustainability has been widely studied, social sustainability in consumer behavior remains underexplored, with existing research scattered and fragmented. This gap makes it challenging to extract meaningful insights and develop a cohesive understanding of the field. To address this gap, the paper systematically synthesizes the available literature on the brand social sustainability domain and consumer behavior by reviewing 90 papers published between 2009 and 2024. This study employs the SPAR 4 protocol and TCCM framework to conduct the domain‐based systematic literature review. Further, a bibliometric analysis is conducted using R Studio, Biblioshiny, and VOSviewer, along with a systematic thematic analysis. The systematic thematic analysis uncovers five key themes: brand outcomes of social sustainability, artificial intelligence and brand social sustainability, communicating and marketing socially sustainable brands, brand social sustainability in achieving sustainable development, and consumer behavior and perceptions of brand social sustainability. Additionally, content analysis is employed to examine theoretical perspectives, contextual factors, key variables, and methodological approaches, offering valuable insights into the knowledge dimensions of this field. By consolidating fragmented research, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of brand social sustainability and provides a roadmap for future research, ultimately promoting responsible, ethical, and inclusive business practices. The study also suggests theoretical and managerial implications to contribute meaningfully to the domain of brand social sustainability.

PurposeThis paper investigates how the “Design for Sustainability” mindset of the manufacturing sector can be effectively transferred in the context of construction and proposes appropriate implementation tools for the promotion of sustainability in infrastructure projects' planning and design.Design/methodology/approachThe Design for Excellence (DfX) approach is first investigated in the context of manufacturing through the review of related literature, and the goals of Design for Sustainability (DfS), in particular, are specified. The suggestions of the literature are used as a basis for the development of the conceptually equivalent goals in the context of infrastructure projects and to highlight the construction management strategies which qualify as potential DfS tools.FindingsThis paper presents how well-known construction planning and management methods, techniques or strategies such as cost–benefit analysis, sustainability-driven procurement, contractors' involvement in design, value-based design, building information modeling (BIM) and buildability review enable the holistic promotion of the triple bottom line in feasibility, design and procurement of infrastructure projects, when combined in the context of an integrated planning approach.Originality/valueThe DfX mindset has very limited presence in the construction literature. This paper attempts to conceptualize its scope in the context of infrastructure projects while putting the multidimensional concept of sustainability as primary planning and design consideration. The proposed planning approach and the systematic mapping of the respective implementation tools can facilitate the decision-makers to achieve the desired sustainability benefits, in line with their priorities.

The Indonesian government has promoted the sustainable procurement method regarding the selection of professional planning consultants and main contractors to construct sustainable road infrastructure projects. However, sustainable procurement practice continues to make it difficult to select service providers considering their lack of knowledge and expertise in sustainable infrastructure projects. This paper performs a literature review which includes a review of the government rules and identifies the factors which influence successfully adopting sustainable procurement in Indonesian road infrastructure projects. The review, including lesson learned from other countries, suggests factors which can promote the successful implementation of sustainable procurement: environmentally friendly specifications, producing economical goods and services during the project lifecycle, empowering local societies and small industries, reducing negative impacts on health, air, water, and soil, implementing public-private partnership or private finance initiative methods for a better partnership between the public and private sectors, and requiring assessment methods to initiate and implement sustainable procurement from pre-project planning to project delivery. The review will provide practical knowledge among road infrastructure projects’ stakeholders, hence significantly affecting the adoption of the sustainable procurement process throughout the road infrastructure project lifecycle, as an example.

The paper explores the engineer's view and practical experience of social sustainability in infrastructure projects through a series of interviews. The focus is on the planning, design and construction phases of development, rather than the initial feasibility phase. The research was undertaken by a small group of sustainability consultants with 13 of their senior engineering colleagues in Australia and New Zealand. The research explored the engineers' experience of various social sustainability dimensions on projects, the level of importance placed on these and the degree to which the focus on these dimensions had changed over time. The authors suspected that the focus on social dimensions had changed over recent years but wondered if their engineering colleagues agreed? What unfolded through the research was a wider discussion on the value of community involvement in infrastructure development and on the evolving development of technical professionals through their experience in working in the field. The paper does not purport to develop universal truths that can be applied to the engineering professional generally; however, it does reflect that, at least within the experience of those interviewed, social sustainability issues had risen up the agenda.

Method for estimating the social sustainability of infrastructure projects

(2021) Volume 2, Issue 4 Cultural Implications of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC Authors: Dr. Unsa Jamshed Amar Jahangir Anbrin Khawaja Abstract: This study is an attempt to highlight the cultural implication of CPEC on Pak-China relations, how it will align two nations culturally, and what steps were taken by the governments of two states to bring the people closer.

ABSTRACTThe transition to Industry 5.0 represents a significant transformation in the global industrial landscape, combining advanced technology with human creativity to promote sustainable development. This study investigates the potential of Industry 5.0 to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within sustainable infrastructure projects, addressing a critical gap in existing research concerning its practical applications and outcomes. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM), the study analyzes data collected from 150 construction professionals in Egypt, focusing on key enablers such as digital transformation skills, eco‐innovation, and proactive governmental support. The results demonstrate that these Industry 5.0 enablers significantly enhance environmental resilience, social inclusivity, and economic efficiency in infrastructure projects. The research offers a novel theoretical framework and empirical evidence on the constructive role of Industry 5.0 in achieving sustainable infrastructure outcomes, providing valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academic researchers. These findings highlight the potential of Industry 5.0 to drive innovation that aligns with the SDGs and fosters sustainable, human‐centric development.

Sustainable infrastructure projects in balancing urban–rural development: towards the goal of efficiency and equity

Indicators-based framework has been developed for the sustainability assessment of infrastructure projects but this framework has limitations in quantifying the qualitative parameters. The top-down approach that utilizes principles to assess the sustainability of infrastructure projects has the ability to consider qualitative parameters. The research on the development of principles-based approach is however limited and, in fact, the study on the development of principles to assess the sustainability of public–private partnerships (PPPs) infrastructure projects is in a nascent stage. The purpose of this study is the development of an empirical framework of guiding principles that will facilitate the assessment of PPPs from sustainability perspective. The study has used a grounded theory qualitative approach by using interviews and literature as primary and secondary data sources, respectively, to develop the framework of guiding principles to achieve goals of sustainable infrastructure development through PPPs. The framework comprises 18 guiding principles, which will act as guidelines to facilitate promotion of sustainable practices throughout the life cycle of PPP project so that sustainability goals can be accomplished. The guiding principles could be used as the qualitative parameters for public and private sector to assess the sustainability of PPP infrastructure projects. This chapter presents critical insights on principle-based approach for sustainability assessment of PPP projects, which has not been the focus in the majority of earlier studies.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form one of the internationally recognized frameworks that guide sustainable urban development. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi government aims to increase the livability of Saudi cities. The aim of this study is to assess the current status of the SDG 11 key factors at the local government level in Saudi Arabia. Thus, Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) was selected as a case study. A questionnaire survey and a purposive sampling technique were utilized to assess the SDG 11 key factors. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was utilized as a technique to analyze the collected data and establish the most significant challenging factors within the city level based on feedback from public sector stakeholders. The study found that the most challenging SDG 11 key factors in DMA are first, SDG 11.1 Access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, with RII (0.845); second, SD G11.7 Universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, with RII (0.809); and third, SDG 11.1 Access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and slum upgrading, with RII (0.787). This study offers insight into their combined efforts toward achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. Additionally, it promotes SDG 11 by highlighting avenues for further study, knowledge sharing, and cooperation.