Sustainable Construction Projects Research Articles

Investigation of Community Engagement in Sustainable Construction Projects: Case Studies from Nigeria

This study investigates the role of community engagement in sustainable construction projects in Nigeria, focusing on three case studies: a green residential building in Lagos, an eco-friendly community center in Abuja, and a sustainable water infrastructure project in rural Kano. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through interviews, surveys, and document analysis. The research identifies significant variations in engagement practices, with Lagos showing high engagement levels, leading to greater community acceptance and better environmental outcomes. Key success factors include strong leadership, adequate funding, and effective communication, while challenges such as socio-cultural barriers and political interference were noted. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained, tailored engagement strategies to enhance project sustainability and community support. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical data on the long-term impacts of community engagement, offering insights for policy makers and project managers to improve community participation in sustainable construction.

Engineering Value in Projects Building Construction: Case Research Sofifi 3-Story ASN Official House - North Maluku Province

The sustainability of construction projects often hinges on managing costs effectively, as illustrated by the case study of an ASN housing building project in Sofifi, North Maluku. This research aims to achieve significant cost savings by optimizing the selection of construction materials and methods, utilizing the Value Engineering Method. This method systematically assesses the value of each component relative to its function, promoting an innovative approach to minimizing unnecessary expenditures. The research followed several structured stages: information gathering, creative ideation, analysis, evaluation, and development, each focusing on identifying feasible alternatives to reduce costs. The analysis identified two key solutions: replacing conventional flooring with precast materials for floor work and substituting lightweight brick walls with red brick walls. Implementing these changes reduced the total project cost from IDR 2,295,005,206 to IDR 1,698,939,324, achieving savings of IDR 596,115,883 (35%). The findings of this study provide practical implications for construction project management, offering a structured approach to material and method selection that can be adapted to broader-scale projects for enhanced cost-efficiency.

Project Controls Model for Sustainable Construction Projects

As sustainability rises in significance in the construction industry, there is a need to adopt new project management techniques to help achieve increases in sustainability objectives. There have been several research works that have investigated the integration of sustainability in construction. However, there is a gap in addressing performance measurement and evaluation during the construction phase. Traditional project performance evaluation methods use the Earned Value Management (EVM) technique to assess time, cost, and scope performance. However, EVM does not address the performance of sustainability goals. The main objective of this paper is to develop a new project controls method for sustainable construction projects. Sustainability performance indicators can play an essential role in advancing the practice of sustainable construction. Accordingly, a Sustainable Earned Value Management (SEVM) model incorporating sustainability indicators was developed to monitor the attainment of sustainability objectives in construction projects in addition to the traditional objectives. The proposed SEVM model uses the construction planning optimization model to prepare the baseline plan to monitor the project’s time, cost, and sustainability performance. The proposed model enhances the monitoring and control of sustainable construction projects in terms of time, cost, and sustainability using sustainability indicators.

The Role of Sustainable Construction Management in Enhancing Environmental, Economic, and Social Outcomes: A Comprehensive Analysis of Benefits in Modern Building Practices

Sustainability in construction projects is a topic that is widely studied and discussed today from the academic, research and industrial fields. In this research, sustainable development is understood as that that manages to satisfy present needs without assuming the future risk of a generation, in compliance with the requirements of that current binding need. This development has been seen from the perspective of the sustainable triad, its application being imperative in the economic, environmental and social dimensions, which is widely accepted today Now, sustainability in construction projects has evolved towards the integration of management of the project. The research concerned the well implementation of sustainable practices in construction. The outcome of the study is to understand much about sustainability because the people-those being the clients, government agencies, and construction companies-are not clear about it. They do not follow the sustainability rules properly and the laws and building codes are quite weak.

Insights and challenges of sustainable project management implementations in construction sectors: Systematic literature analysis

The construction industry is a significant contributor towards global environmental degradation and resource depletion, with developing economies facing unique challenges in adopting sustainable construction practices. This systematic review aims to investigate the gap in sustainable construction implementation among global counterparts. The study utilizes the P5 (People, Planet, Prosperity, Process, Products) Standard as a framework for evaluating sustainable construction project management based on environmental, social, and economic targets. A Systematic Literature Review from a pool of 994 Sustainable Construction Project Management (SCPM) papers is conducted utilizing the PRISMA methodology. Through rigorous Identification, Screening, and Eligibility Verification, an analysis is synthesized from 44 relevant literature discussing SCPM Implementations worldwide. The results highlight significant challenges in three main categories: environmental, social, and economic impacts. Social impacts are found as the most extensively researched, while environmental and economic impacts are less studied. Further analysis reveals that social impacts are a major concern in sustainable construction, with numerous studies addressing labor practices and societal well-being. However, there is a notable gap in research on human rights within the construction industry. Environmental impacts, such as resource utilization, energy consumption, and pollution, are less frequently addressed, indicating a need for more focused studies in these areas. Economic impacts, including local economic impact and business agility, are further substantially underrepresented in the literature, suggesting that economic viability is a critical yet underexplored aspect of sustainable construction. The findings underscore the need for further research in these areas to address the implementation challenges of sustainable project management effectively. This research contributes towards the overall research of global sustainable construction through the utilization of the P5 Standards as a new lens of determining sustainability performance for construction projects worldwide.

Sustainable Construction Project Management – A Proposed Conceptual Framework from Systematic Literature Review

The construction industry is estimated to contribute to huge stimulation to improve health, economy, and poverty with investment globally up to US$94 trillion by 2040. However, at the same time construction industry is also a huge risk to sustainability, where most of the activities are performed in form of projects. It causes an incredible threat to the environment and community, which leads to the new concept of sustainable project management. Regardless of the impact, the literature on the topic is still limited and is mostly a systematic review in nature. This study aims to review the currently available literature on sustainable project management, specifically in construction/infrastructure projects, and finally propose the conceptual framework of Sustainable Project Management. A literature review of fifty-eight full articles on sustainability project management especially in the construction industry was performed. The result of the study showed that apart from the limitation of its definition, it covered the importance of how the project management approach should be shifted from the traditional methods. It also showed that leadership, stakeholder engagement, organization policies and practices, technology innovation, and professional association are among the factors that influence the implementation of sustainability projects as new insights in project management research.

Exploring radio frequency identification tools for sustainable construction projects: a hybrid structural equation modeling and deep neural network approaches

Exploring radio frequency identification tools for sustainable construction projects: a hybrid structural equation modeling and deep neural network approaches

Challenges of Implementing Integrated Project Delivery in the Construction Industry in Egypt

Abstract The construction industry, being one of the biggest sectors globally, has a crucial part to play in achieving global sustainability goals. However, it faces criticism for practices that impede sustainability in construction projects. This is often attributed to the continued reliance on traditional construction methods and contracts, which typically separate design and construction phases. This separation hampers communication among project stakeholders and hinders construction professionals from offering feedback to improve project performance. Despite various efforts to address the shortcomings of traditional procurement methods and contracts, this issue persists. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) offers a fresh strategy that combines people, systems, business models, and practices to boost value for clients, reduce waste, encourage teamwork, and increase efficiency throughout the entire project. Nonetheless, integrating this approach into the construction sector in Egypt and the MENA region encounters several hurdles. This study aims to explore the challenges associated with implementing IPD in Egypt’s construction industry. This research employs a qualitative approach, grounding its findings in a thorough review of literature and detailed case studies. It explores the nature of the construction industry, sustainability efforts, construction contracts, and IPD. Furthermore, it includes an analysis of three case studies to shed light on the benefits of implementing IPD in construction projects.

A roadmap for overcoming barriers to implementation of blockchain-enabled smart contracts in sustainable construction projects

A roadmap for overcoming barriers to implementation of blockchain-enabled smart contracts in sustainable construction projects

Opinion: Applications of and Barriers to the Use of Biomimicry towards a Sustainable Architectural, Engineering and Construction Industry Based on Interviews from Experts and Practitioners in the Field.

Biomimicry creates designs inspired by nature and uses ecological benchmarks to assess their sustainability. It is believed that biomimicry can help society produce and consume in more sustainable ways, as well as address some of the key challenges facing the world today. However, research into the applications of and possible barriers to using biomimicry for creating more sustainable Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) projects is still limited. This paper addresses this gap by undertaking and analysing twelve semi-structured interviews with leading global experts and practitioners in the field of biomimicry as applied to the built environment industry. The study identifies substantial potential in the use of biomimicry in AEC projects, including the following: adopting circular approaches; enhancing interactions between human and natural infrastructure; optimising material and energy use; recycling and re-use of materials; reducing time and costs; plus more collaborative and interdisciplinary working. However, a wide range of multifaceted barriers also exist that are currently hindering the exploration and exploitation of this potential, including the following: lack of knowledge; insufficient research and testing at the scale of AEC projects; fragmentation, poor communication and traditional nature of the industry; perception of high risks and costs; as well as outdated and unsuitable legislation and planning processes.

ANALYSIS OF ENGINEERING ECONOMICS OF THE NEW ERA COMPARED WITH THE CONVENTIONAL MATERIALS USED IN HVAC DUCT APPLICATION

Selecting suitable materials for air ductwork is essential to ensure efficient airflow distribution and reduce economic costs, as it directly impacts an air conditioning system’s overall performance and functionality. The PVC-coated polyester canvas and foam materials have revolutionized the construction of air ductwork, offering numerous benefits and advantages over conventional materials. For instance, these materials have been successfully used in the construction of air ducts for large commercial buildings, resulting in significant energy savings and improved indoor air quality. Using these new-era materials has design flexibility, durability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This research has provided a comprehensive analysis of the economic cost of the new era of air ductwork compared with conventional air ductwork in Thailand, and the thorough assessment of total service life costs has improved on the financial implications of adopting this new technology. The economic analysis of PID ducts reveals their cost-effective excellence compared to other investment types. The benefit-cost ratio of 4.73 and a payback period of 1.48 years show the financial advantages offered by PID ducts. With their affordability, efficiency, and simplicity, PID ducts emerge as the most attractive option for investors seeking long-term profitability and sustainability in construction projects.

Development of an Assessment and Management Framework for Sustainable Construction Projects in Jordan by Incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals

Countries worldwide have implemented several strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to which sustainable construction projects can contribute significantly. However, an integrated assessment and management method for sustainable construction projects is needed to improve the contributions of such projects to achieving the SDGs. Hence, this research aims to develop an innovative framework that integrates contributions to achieving the SDGs within the assessment and management of sustainable construction projects. We reviewed previous research and used the Delphi method to identify assessment indicators and construct a framework. Next, two new indices were constructed: the Sustainable Construction Project Indicator Contributions Index (SCPICI) and the Integrated Sustainable Construction Project Contributions Index (ISCPCI). Lastly, a focus group discussion was conducted. According to the SCPICI, the top five indicators are energy-efficient management (27.58), the use of renewable energy (27.51), measurements of energy savings during the construction and operation phases (26.64), water savings during construction and operation phases (26.18), and water recycling (25.46). The research findings indicate that sustainable construction projects substantially contribute to achieving SDGs 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15. Policymakers and other stakeholders in the construction sector could use the proposed framework to assess and manage sustainable construction projects. Moreover, researchers worldwide could use the proposed methods to develop new frameworks in other countries.

Identifying the Internet of Things (IoT) implementation benefits for sustainable construction project

ABSTRACT Understanding the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in sustainable construction projects. Implementing the IoT in sustainable construction schemes can offer many benefits, including resource management, remote control and monitoring, improving safety, optimizing building performance and data-driven decision-making. This research presents a unique effort to enhance our comprehension of IoT implementation in such projects. We analyzed 55 studies using a systematic approach to literature selection and filtration, using theoretical models for Internet of Things (IoT) implementation to study the sustainability of construction industries. The results revealed that monitoring constituted 9 (16.4%), machine/equipment control 2 (3.6%), safety in construction 5 (9.1%), water management 4 (7.3%), 4IR 2 (3.6%), BIM 5 (9.1%), green IoT 5 (9.1%), prefabricated design 2 (3.6%), IoT adoption level 6 (10.9%), and other aspects accounted for 15 (27.3%). The primary areas of IoT application in the construction industry include BIM, remote application monitoring, construction management, repair and equipment services, construction implements, and tracking equipment. Notably, there is a lack of research awareness regarding the potential integration of IoT and BIM by construction companies. Despite numerous studies on IoT adoption, limited literature addresses the challenges and awareness of how IoT tools impact implementation in the building industry. Our review proposes a framework for implementing sustainable construction projects to address this gap. However, further investigation is required to analyze potential security threats associated with IoT in a smart city setting, explore promising countermeasures, and delve into open research issues.

Multi-Agent Simulation Approach for Modular Integrated Construction Supply Chain

The shift from traditional on-site to off-site construction marks a significant evolution in the construction industry, characterized by increasing levels of prefabrication. These advancements enhance construction efficiency, reduce lead times, and mitigate environmental impacts, leading to modular integrated construction (MiC). However, MiC presents complex supply chain challenges, particularly in the transportation of prefabricated components and fully integrated modules. This study addresses these challenges by employing a multi-agent simulation using AnyLogic to optimize MiC transport logistics. The simulation models the interactions of various agents involved in the MiC process to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Results demonstrate that using three vehicles per supplier minimizes total transport costs, effectively balancing fixed and variable expenses while eliminating penalties for project delays. The findings highlight the cost efficiency of MiC, showing potential savings due to centralized assembly and optimized logistics. These significantly reduce material transportation and related costs, contributing to the overall efficiency and sustainability of construction projects. These insights underscore the value of multi-agent simulation in addressing the complexities of MiC supply chains.

Application of improved NSGA-II model in multi-objective optimization model for sustainable building construction projects

Sustainable and environmentally friendly construction is the way of the future for building projects, and it is a practical illustration of how sustainable development is being implemented in the construction sector, where the control objectives are interdependent and constricting. However, when green construction is carried out, a conundrum arises since important factors like cost, environmental preservation, and safety cannot be addressed simultaneously. This issue limits the promotion of green construction. In order to solve the obstacles in the green construction process, the study chose to introduce three objectives to establish a multi-objective optimization model for project optimization. The local search idea in the mountain climbing algorithm was introduced into the non controlled sorting genetic algorithm to improve it, and a green construction multi-objective optimization model was established. Experimental verification of the feasibility and efficiency of improving non controlled sorting genetic algorithms; And evaluate and solve the established sustainable construction project. The results represent the maximum optimization values for each objective. The construction period is mainly distributed between 183–245 days, the cost distribution is between 16.6855 million yuan and 200861 million yuan, the quality distribution is between 0.864 and 0.878, the safety distribution is between 0.874 and 0.999, the environmental distribution is between 133.76 and 190.72, and the resource distribution is between 0.834 and 0.999, all of which meet the standards. Provide theoretical solutions for managers to manage green construction projects.

Multicriterion Decision-Support Model for Selecting the Appropriate Delivery Method in Sustainable Construction Projects

Multicriterion Decision-Support Model for Selecting the Appropriate Delivery Method in Sustainable Construction Projects

Development of a New Method for Assessing Project Risks in Sustainable Building Construction Projects in Developing Countries: The Case of Jordan

Sustainable buildings contribute significantly to achieving sustainable development and provide many benefits. However, sustainable building construction projects are riskier than traditional construction projects. Thus, this research aimed to identify and assess the risks in sustainable construction projects in Jordan based on their probabilities of occurrence and impacts on time and cost. For this purpose, a literature review and structured interviews were performed to identify the risks. Additionally, questionnaire surveys were conducted, and the relative relevance index and analytic hierarchy process were utilized to assess the probabilities and impacts of these risks on time and cost. After that, a focus group discussion was conducted. According to the the risks’ probability and impacts on time and cost, the top-scoring risks include changes to the original design, budgeting inaccuracies owing to a lack of experience with sustainable building projects, additional costs incurred as a result of the use of sustainable building construction materials and equipment, inadequate or inaccurate sustainable design information, insufficient funds from clients, inadequate project planning for a sustainable building project, a tight project schedule for a sustainable building project, and insufficient identification of sustainable construction’s scope. This research contributes to the body of knowledge and practice by providing a novel integrated method for assessing risks in sustainable building construction projects in Jordan.

Occupational Safety and Health Risks in Building Construction Projects : A Systematic Literature Review

Although quite a few studies have focused on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)-related issues within the context of sustainable building construction projects, there has been dearth of a study developing a management framework to comprehensively identify, analyze, evaluate, and control the safety risks threatening the involved Building Construction Workers. Risk is always present in every construction project. Occupational safety and health risks in building construction projects have various risks and are likely to be affected due to their difficulty and multiple operations and threats. Risk factors are divided into three categories, namely internal factors, projects, and external factors. Three categories above is further divided into two technical and non-technical risk. This paper review 40 selected papers that discuss risk identification and risk management in residential construction projects. Risk factors in residential projects are generally very diverse and give us an idea that the interrelationships between the parties with an interest in the project contribute to the risk factors themselves occurring the course of the project. It has been mentioned that the risk factors that occur in residential projects is something that is commonplace in various countries, in this case contributing to the success of the project. Outline on this paper has succeeded in providing information on the extent to which risk factors are currently occurring and there is a high potential for a change in the percentage of risk factors according to the classifications presented in this journal for other construction projects in the future.

Collaborative and life cycle-based project delivery for environmentally sustainable building construction: views of Finnish project professionals and building operation and maintenance experts

PurposeThe energy performance gap (EPG) in building construction has been one of the major barriers to the realization of environmental and economic sustainability in the built environment. Although there have been a few studies addressing this issue, studying this topic with a special focus on the project delivery process has been almost overlooked. Hence, this study aims to address the EPG in building construction through the lens of collaborative and life cycle-based project delivery.Design/methodology/approachIn order to realize the objective of this study, the development of a theoretical framework based on the literature review was followed by a qualitative study in which 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Finnish project professionals representing clients, design/planning experts, constructors and building operation/maintenance experts to explore their views on the topic under study.FindingsThe findings reveal the project delivery-related causes of EPG in building construction. Moreover, the obtained results present a collaborative and life cycle-based delivery model that integrates project and product (i.e. building) life cycles, and it is compatible with all types of contractual frameworks in building construction projects.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the findings of this study significantly contribute to theory and practice in the field of collaborative and sustainable construction project delivery, it is acknowledged that these findings are based on Finnish professionals’ input, and expanding this research to other regions is a potential area for further studies. Moreover, the developed model, although validated in Finland, needs to be tested in a broader context as well to gain wider generalizability.Originality/valueThe obtained results reveal the significance and impact of collaborative and life cycle-based project development and delivery on the realization of environmentally sustainable building construction.

Determining the stationary digital twins implementation barriers for sustainable construction projects

PurposePrevious research has demonstrated that Digital Twins (DT) are extensively employed to improve sustainable construction methods. Nonetheless, their uptake in numerous nations is still constrained. This study seeks to identify and examine the digital twin’s implementation barriers in construction building projects to augment operational performance and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachAn iterative two-stage approach was adopted to explore the phenomena under investigation. General DT Implementation Barriers were first identified from extant literature and subsequently explored using primary questionnaire survey data from Hong Kong building industry professionals.FindingsSurvey results illustrated that Lack of methodologies and tools, Difficulty in ensuring a high level of performance in real-time communication, Impossibility of directly measuring all data relevant to the DT, need to share the DT among multiple application systems involving multiple stakeholders and Uncertainties in the quality and reliability of data are the main barriers for adopting digital twins' technology. Moreover, Ginni’s mean difference measure of dispersion showed that the stationary digital twin’s barriers adoption is needed to share the DT among multiple application systems involving multiple stakeholders.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings offer valuable guidance to the construction industry. They help stakeholders adopt digital twins' technology, which, in turn, improves cost efficiency and sustainability. This adoption reduces project expenses and enhances environmental responsibility, providing companies a competitive edge in the industry.Originality/valueThis research rigorously explores barriers to Digital Twin (DT) implementation in the Hong Kong construction industry, employing a systematic approach that includes a comprehensive literature review, Ranking Analysis (RII) and Ginni’s coefficient of mean difference (GM). With a tailored focus on Hong Kong, the study aims to identify, analyze and provide novel insights into DT implementation challenges. Emphasizing practical relevance, the research bridges the gap between academic understanding and real-world application, offering actionable solutions for industry professionals, policymakers and researchers. This multifaceted contribution enhances the feasibility and success of DT implementation in construction projects within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector.