Resource-efficient construction: rethinking construction towards sustainability
| Date | 13 July 2015 |
| Pages | 233-242 |
| Published date | 13 July 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-03-2015-0016 |
| Author | Eleni Sfakianaki |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Resource-efficient construction:
rethinking construction
towards sustainability
Eleni Sfakianaki
School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the topic of sustainable construction and provide
an adequate discussion of the current thinking. Achieving a balance between economic, social and
ecological aims is a challenge. Managing and implementing sustainability requires the commitment of
all stakeholders and new ways of working, thinking and learning.
Design/methodology/approach –The methodology of this study consists of a literature review in
the research field of sustainable construction and its associated impacts upon the climate, waste
production and energy, materials and water usage. The aim is not to provide an in-depth, detailed
analysis of specific processes and cases in the construction sector, but to present the need for
rethinking sustainable construction in comprehensive terms.
Findings –The paper provides insights about the importance of sustainable construction. It suggests that
all stakeholders at all stages should commit to sustainability to enable change in perception to start with.
Researchlimitations/implications–Further investigation on methods and techniques and interviews
to construction companies will suggest a consistent framework for implementation “real-time”.
Practical implications –The paper highlights the importance of a coordinated supply chain action in
the construction sector and emphasizes the need for construction companies to train and invest in
resource- efficient building methods and practices. This will manage the balance between stability and change.
Originality/value –This paper demonstrates the need to study further how resources efficiency can
be adopted in the construction sector to further enable sustainability.
Keywords Sustainability, Construction, Circular economy, Resource-efficiency
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Construction is an important sector in a country’s economy, one of the largest market
segments worldwide, an important player in a nation’s GDP, and as a result, an
important employer. According to Eurostat (2011), it contributes approximately
10 per cent of most European countries’GDPs and an approximate 7 per cent of the
overall employment in the European Union (EU). The recent financial recession has
dramatically affected a number of sectors, including construction. In countries such
as Spain and Portugal, construction used to contribute almost 20 per cent to their
countries’GDPs in 2004. These numbers have been considerably reduced as of late
due to the recession. On the other hand, the recession gave further rise to the issue of
sustainability in construction since construction has been charged as being one of the
drivers for the collapse of the financial markets. The construction sector has been
blamed for not properly using resources, energy and water; for contributing to the
greenhouse effect (Dadhich et al., 2014; Ding, 2008) and for accumulating endless
volumes of waste, to mention just some of the major concerns about it.
Considering that construction projects demonstrate quality of life, economic growth
and prosperity, a debate has been sparked about the costs of constructing such
landmarks and whether these costs are outweighed by their operational benefits during
their life cycle. There is greater awareness now on the increased value of resources and
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 12 No. 3, 2015
pp. 233-242
©Emerald Group Publis hing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-03-2015-0016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
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Resource-
efficient
construction
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