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Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 47416

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nicholas Chileshe

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Guest Editor

UniSA STEM, Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management (SIRM), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Interests: waste management; sustainable construction; reverse logistics; risk management; closed loop supply chains
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Assoc. Prof. Raufdeen Rameezdeen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Interests: asset management, construction waste management, reverse logistics, construction health and safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Sustainability will consider the relevance of the current discourse on Sustainable Construction (SC) in the light of new technological advances, changing business models, and the imminent threat posed by global warming to our planet. It seeks to explore the motivations, value, and impact of the current thinking and research that augment strategic directives for developing our future built environment. Is there a need for new frames of thinking on sustainable construction?

While the concept of sustainable construction has evolved over a number of years, the emergence of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as adopted by the United Nations member states has re-ignited the debate on its relevance today. Construction management is attracting increasing scrutiny in the context of new and modern forms of project delivery systems that includes but are not limited to off-site and modular construction coupled with the efficiency gains of the post-BIM era, while Industry 4.0 is about to revolutionize the way we deal with our products. In addition, industry is keen on embracing closed-loop supply chain for its processes, which are fueled by theoretical underpinnings of the circular economy. Some have argued that the current sustainability agenda adopted by the industry in a bid to improve often short-term and narrowly-focused environmental outcomes is devaluing long-term sustainable development goals. For others, it may provide some assurance that the construction industry is committed to environmental concerns echoed by many other industries for a much longer period. There is also a disparity in the levels of sustainable construction implementation between the developed and developing countries, with the latter still in infancy regarding the adoption of basic sustainability concepts. Equally, there is also a need for re-thinking existing sustainable construction principles and practices, and how this concept could be complemented with other emerging concepts by way of exploring their synergies.

Research on sustainable construction has largely derived from a damage minimization perspective with a focus on how to best develop our built environment without disturbing the environment (in that discourse researchers who have emphasized sustainability are the ‘fourth’ pillar of our focus). More recently, there has been greater consideration of the role of adaptive re-use and circular economy, and of wider influences such as social, cultural, and heritage on our built environment. However, there remains an opportunity to consider the impact of technological advances, innovative materials, de-carbonization, and the smart-cities agenda that is largely driven by concerns about the future of our planet.

This Special Issue will harness the research gaps identified in a number of studies within the arena of sustainable construction and use the gaps as the basis for identifying new research themes. The other focus area will be identifying new frames of thinking such as decolonized methodological approaches for tackling and investigating sustainable construction, particularly from a developing countries context; implementation issues; drivers; barriers; practices; emerging concepts; as well as a focus on management and technical issues. The role that stakeholders play in promoting SC is another area worthy of investigating further. This Special Issue is aimed at producing an international perspective on existing current concerns in sustainable construction applications in both developing and developed countries.

Papers are sought from different perspectives focusing on conceptual issues and empirical studies, which could revolve around (but are not limited to) the following themes:

How the principles of circular economy can inform the current SC research;
Synergies between reverse supply chains and SC;
Integrated reverse logistics and risk management;
Sustainable development goals and SC;
Adaptive re-use and future of our built environment;
How smart cities can change the way we build for the future;
How can we harness Industry 4.0 for a better built environment—CONSTRUCT 4.0;
Internet of things (IoT) and SC;
Role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in SC;
Towards an integrated construction and demolition (C and D), reverse logistics supply chain management (RLSCM), and quality management systems (QMS);
Decolonized research methodological approaches and new frames of thinking in sustainable construction;
Renewed emphasis on drivers, barriers, critical success factors, and practices aimed at achieving sustainable construction;
Comparative approaches to sustainable construction management in various countries;
Innovative building materials—how could they help achieve sustainable construction;
The role of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in sustainable construction;
Sustainable construction education—how can we bring the best practices into the classroom;
Quantified models for sustainable construction.

Assoc. Prof. Nicholas Chileshe
Assoc. Prof. Raufdeen Rameezdeen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable supply chains
reverse logistics
information management
circular economy
adaptive reuse

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Causes of Design Changes in Building Construction Projects: An Interpretive Structural Modeling Approach

by Shahab Shoar and Nicholas Chileshe

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9578; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179578 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3477

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mutual interactions between the causes of design changes using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and to classify the causes using the “Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement” MICMAC technique. This study further identifies and proposes strategies to mitigate design change occurrence and map them onto the identified connections between the causes. To achieve these goals, critical causes of design changes were identified through a comprehensive literature review; 23 key causes were then refined according to the opinions of relevant experts involved in the Iranian building construction sector. Stakeholders associated with each cause and the management areas from which causes arise were also considered. The factors “Unfamiliarity with new construction methods”, “Design errors”, “Value engineering”, “Scope uncertainty”, “Change orders”, and “Constructability ignored in the design phase”, which are highly influenced by other factors, emerged at the highest level of the ISM diagram, and “Clients’ attitudes and experience” as the main root cause of design changes at the bottom of the diagram. The MICMAC technique results showed that consultant-related causes significantly influence other causes, and policy and client-related causes have a feedback effect on the whole system. The findings of this study provide a better insight into how various causes of design changes are connected to one another and can ultimately assist project managers of different parties, even in other countries, to choose influential strategies to mitigate design changes in building construction projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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23 pages, 2566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling the Impact of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Implementation Drivers and Awareness on Project Lifecycle

by Oludolapo Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Nicholas Chileshe and David John Edwards

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8887; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168887 - 9 Aug 2021

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 5653

Abstract

The Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry is generally slow in adopting emerging technologies, and such hesitance invariably restricts performance improvements. A plethora of studies have focused on the barriers, Critical Success Factors (CSFs), lifecycle and drivers independently, but none have explored the impact of BIM drivers and awareness on the project lifecycle. This study empirically explored the impact of BIM drivers and awareness on the project lifecycle using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Initially, a conceptual model was developed from an extensive literature review. Thereafter, the model was tested using primary questionnaire data obtained from 90 construction professionals in Lagos, Nigeria. Emergent findings indicate that Building Information Modelling (BIM) drivers have a high impact on BIM awareness at the operation stage of the project lifecycle. The SEM model has an average R² value of 23% which is moderate. Consequently, this research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing invaluable insight into the impact of BIM drivers on BIM awareness in the project lifecycle. Knowledge acquired will help industry stakeholders and government to develop appropriate policies to increase BIM uptake within contemporary practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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25 pages, 3499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A GIS Software Module for Environmental Impact Assessment of the Open Pit Mining Projects for Small Mining Operators in Kazakhstan

by Mikhail Zarubin, Larissa Statsenko, Pavel Spiridonov, Venera Zarubina, Noune Melkoumian and Olga Salykova

Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6971; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126971 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3267

Abstract

This research article presents a software module for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of open pit mines. The EIA software module has been developed based on the comprehensive examination of both country-specific (namely, Kazakhstan) and current international regulatory frameworks, legislation and EIA methodologies. EIA frameworks and methods have been critically evaluated, and mathematical models have been developed and implemented in the GIS software module ‘3D Quarry’. The proposed methodology and software module allows for optimised EIA calculations of open pit mines, aiming to minimise the negative impacts on the environment. The study presents an original methodology laid out as a basis for a software module for environmental impact assessment on atmosphere, water basins, soil and subsoil, tailored to the context of mining operations in Kazakhstan. The proposed software module offers an alternative to commercial off-the-shelf software packages currently used in the mining industry and is suitable for small mining operators in post-Soviet countries. It is anticipated that applications of the proposed software module will enable the transition to sustainable development in the Kazakh mining industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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12 pages, 4720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Rwanda

by Clement Egenti and Jamal Khatib

Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4188; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084188 - 9 Apr 2021

Viewed by 3363

Abstract

Baked clay bricks (Impunyu) is the dominant wall construction material in Rwanda. Clay deposits in the country’s lowlands are utilized for baked clay bricks. Despite the ongoing campaign, the use of wood by some local brick producers is unfriendly to the environment. Recent research has called for alternative methods in order to reduce the cost and impact on the environment. Earlier efforts with compressed earth blocks were saddled with weight and a substantial use of cement for good surface texture and adequate resistance against surface erosion. This research explored the potentials of using an appropriate dose of clay (from Muhanzi), volcanic light aggregate (Amakoro, (from Musanze)), and cement to produce unbaked shelled compressed earth blocks (SCEB). SCEB is a compressed earth block with an outer shell and inner core of different cement content or materials, compressed into a unit block. The result is a masonry unit with a higher surface resistance, durability, and desirable architectural effect produced with a 60% reduction in cement content. A weight reduction of 12% was achieved with an optimum content of 33% of the volcanic lightweight aggregate. A cost reduction of 25% was recorded over conventional compressed earth brick walls and a 54% over sand-cement block walls. Possible future trends were also identified with appreciable prospects in earthen architecture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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24 pages, 7113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Prefabrication Incentive Policies in China

by Weiping Jiang, Lirong Luo, Zezhou Wu, Jianbo Fei, Maxwell Fordjour Antwi-Afari and Tao Yu

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5149; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195149 - 20 Sep 2019

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4316

Abstract

Prefabrication is a technology that can reduce the material consumption during the construction process. Thus, it is regarded as a technology that be of assistance in the pursuit of sustainable development in the construction industry. In China, a series of policies has been formulated to promote the implementation of prefabrication; however, the effectiveness of these policies has not been investigated. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the current prefabrication incentive policies in China. To achieve this research aim, a policy framework was first developed in order to understand the existing policies. Then, four indicators—namely, the number of prefabricated component production enterprises, the prefabricated floor area, the prefabricated building market size, and the expected prefabricated building area ratio—were selected to evaluate each policy’s effectiveness. It was found that the growth rates of these four indicators had increased slowly, and had even shown declining trends before 2015; however, with the incentive policies promulgated after 2015, the growth rates have increased. This study is of value not only in helping readers to understand the existing framework of incentive policies in China, but also in revealing the effectiveness of the identified prefabrication incentive policies. These research findings can also provide insights useful for policy formulation in other jurisdictions for the promotion of prefabrication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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22 pages, 4243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment Methodology of Practical Configuration Management (CM) for Sustainable Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs)

by Mi-Yeon Kang, Yeheun Jeong and Youngsoo Jung

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2391; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082391 - 22 Apr 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5260

Abstract

Since the Fukushima accident in 2011, nuclear safety has emerged as a very important political and social issue. Under this circumstance, the importance of configuration management (CM) is emphasized in order to ensure the reliability and safety of facility. However, configuration management (CM) is still in its conceptual stage in the nuclear industry due to the ambiguity of CM definitions, insufficiency of CM procedures, paucity of computerized systems and lack of CM professionals. In an attempt to address this issue, a previous study proposed a comprehensive CM framework for nuclear power plants (NPPs) by comparing CM concepts in seven different industries where the CM is actively utilized. In order to facilitate the practical implementation of the conceptual framework, this paper proposes an assessment methodology for prioritizing the importance of CM application areas based on the physical subjects of NPP structures, systems, components (SSCs). The proposed methodology is composed of an ‘extended CM framework’ with further details and ‘evaluation criteria’ based on CM functions. This study developed an SSCs list by analyzing Design Control Document (DCD) of Westinghouse AP1000 and also identified evaluation criteria through an extensive literature review. The concept of CM in this study encompasses the entire NPP project life-cycle in order to promote the practical CM application. The results of case-study performed in this paper would provide the SSCs priorities and guidelines for practical configuration management (CM) for sustainable NPP facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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Review

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17 pages, 2765 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Status and Emerging Trends on the Adaptive Reuse of Buildings: A Bibliometric Analysis

by Oluwatobi Mary Owojori, Chioma Sylvia Okoro and Nicholas Chileshe

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11646; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111646 - 21 Oct 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5834

Abstract

The emerging demand for sustainable development and the need for efficient use of resources across the built environment have stirred research efforts globally. The construction sector is often regarded as one of the major world consumers of resources, so many international establishments are trying to create a sustainable environment through adaptive reuse of existing building stocks, a concept which has been receiving momentous recognition by reason of its richly diversified applicability for circular economy. Thus, profound knowledge of the topic and research trends is requisite to promote scholarship. For this analysis, the global research developments in adaptive reuse are assessed according to published documents, co-authorship, geographical distribution and keyword- co-occurrences. From the Scopus directory, 227 journal articles published from 2006 to 2021 were retrieved. Results showed that from 2006, published documents rose by 221 articles. About 29% of the publications were from Italy and the United Kingdom. Among the articles, 110 were from the subject area of environmental science (48.5%), while the subject area of engineering represents 104 publications (45.8%). Recent progress in adaptive reuse in building and construction includes, but not limited to: (i) component and materials reuse and technology, (ii) life cycle assessment, (iii) economic assessment and multi-criteria decision making and (iv) regulatory policies and stakeholders’ analysis. The findings are important to furnish all relevant personnel in the academic and industries with a broad perception of the status and potential emerging trends on the adaptive reuse of buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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24 pages, 2206 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Novel Taxonomy for Risks in Agribusiness Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review

by Soleman Imbiri, Raufdeen Rameezdeen, Nicholas Chileshe and Larissa Statsenko

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169217 - 17 Aug 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3845

Abstract

Agribusiness supply chain (ASC) risk is currently a major business problem throughout the world. The current trend of globalisation has affected every business, and supply chain risks have become a concern in logistics and other business processes. Current risk management strategies must address a variety of global and local challenges. To tackle this issue, existing research has analysed risks in agrifood supply chains, ASC risk management, disruption in ASCs, risk assessments of agriculture supply chains and sources of risk facing an agricultural supply chain. However, the existing research has not defined and categorised risks as a basis for managing risks in ASCs. Therefore, the definition and categorisation of risks in the ASC has been overlooked. To address this gap, this paper undertakes a systematic literature review, offering constructs to define and categorise risks in ASCs, and develops a novel taxonomy in ASC risks to enrich future research on ASC risk management. Sixty-one articles from six databases published between 2000 and 2020 underwent descriptive and thematic analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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Other

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21 pages, 4546 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Delineating the Implications of Dispersing Teams and Teleworking in an Agile UK Construction Sector

by Ed Burton, David John Edwards, Chris Roberts, Nicholas Chileshe and Joseph H. K. Lai

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9981; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179981 - 6 Sep 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4076

Abstract

A scientometric analysis of extant literature is conducted to elucidate upon the practicality of teleworking throughout industry as a prelude to prescribing a bespoke conceptual adoption model that embeds innovative digital technologies to facilitate teleworking for construction professionals. The model is premised upon the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) work stages and illustrates how technologies are being used at each incremental stage. An interpretivist philosophy and inductive reasoning were adopted using a sample of longitudinal secondary data contained within pertinent extant literature, where each publication constitutes a unit of analysis. The qualitative scientometric software VOSviewer and Voyant Tools were utilised to examine emergent research trends, with further manual review of prominent papers contained within the sample dataset. Four distinct historical advances are delineated in a timeline that describes the evolution of home working from the 1970s through to the present day (and during the global COVID-19 pandemic). Key milestones delineated indicate how technological advances have created new opportunities for teleworking. The research indicates that an acceleration of digital advances has engendered modernity in contemporary work location patterns and that these offer potentials to reduce the environmental impact of anthropogenic activities. This unique study highlights how COVID-19 and available digital technologies have shaped the future of teleworking from home and the potential environmental impact of such. This concludes by signposting directions for future research into the adoption of teleworking at the organisational level and establishing the cost and environmental savings to businesses from abandoning the traditional model of employer-based working. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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19 pages, 1960 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

BIM-Based Tools for Managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW): A Scoping Review

by Bahareh Nikmehr, M. Reza Hosseini, Jun Wang, Nicholas Chileshe and Raufdeen Rameezdeen

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8427; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158427 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6960

Abstract

This article provides a picture of the latest developments in providing BIM-based tools for construction and demolition waste (CDW) management. The coverage and breadth of the literature on offering BIM-based tools and technologies for dealing with CDW throughout the whole life cycle of construction are investigated, and gaps are identified. Findings reveal that, although various BIM-based technologies are closely associated with CDW, much of the existing research on this area has focused on the design and construction phase; indeed, the problem of CDW in post-construction stages has received scant attention. Besides, the now available tools and technologies are lacking in cross-phase insights into project waste aspects and are weak in theoretical rigor. This article contributes to the field by identifying the intellectual deficiencies in offering BIM-based tools and technologies when dealing with CDW. So, too, it points to major priorities for future research on the topic. For practitioners, the study provides a point of reference and raises awareness in the field about the most advanced available BIM-based technologies for dealing with CDW problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainable Construction: Renewing Old Perspectives and Emergent New Frames of Thinking)

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