Sustainability As A Critical Factor In International Construction

Introduction and Background Information

International construction has started to assume great importance in recent years. There are more indications that this trend will progress. The competitions for international projects have become intense and the global marketplace has flooded due to the development of expertise and capability of firms from numerous emerging countries (Abidin, 2010 p.77). The emerging firms can now export their services and compete effectively with other established firms. For success in international construction projects, the firms are required to address factors such as technical expertise, managerial expertise, management of cultural issues and risk management.

Technical expertise involves the integration of new and complex technologies, strategic and innovative information application and finding solutions to rare problems. Bainbridge (2014 p.45) notes that managerial expertise is another factor to be addressed that involves programming and control of projects, inputs and logistic procurement and human resource management. The need to avail financial packages of projects is one of the financial resources and expertise. Risk management involves access to insurance at reasonable rates and experience in anticipating and dealing with risks.

A drastic investment in sustainable development has been seen in the construction industry.  It has been recognized that human being is experiencing numerous challenges in areas such as depletion of resources, degradation of the environment and climate change. Seemingly, the construction industry is responsible for the increase in these challenges because it utilizes energy, raw materials and water. Presently, the construction industry is among one of the largest energy consumers. It utilizes 40 to 50 per cent of global energy and 40 per cent of global raw materials (United Nations Environment Program, 2011 p.47). A better approach is required to continue transforming a truly sustainable built environment. Innovative building design and materials, as well as improved comprehensive construction methods, play a crucial role in enabling the advancement of a sustainable environment.

Urbanization is associated with the construction business due to the related developments in infrastructure and also housing. Urban planning and the construction industry entwine under urbanization setting and have been influenced immensely by the climate strategies. As much as the construction sector majorly affects the environment and society, it is a a sector that is known to accomplish sustainability (ICAO, 2007 p.24). The construction business has global consideration as sustainable industry making it move from the nitial traditional paradigm to sustainable development. Sustainable construction has incited advancement and administration of a healthy built environment that depends on the standards of nature and resources proficiency. It additionally aims to strike an exchange off between the social, ecological and in addition economic sustainability dimensions

International Construction

In contemporary research, the three basic areas that are proposed for sustainability are social, economic as well as the aspect of the environment (UN, 2012 p. 21). Sustainable construction concepts started at a tactical level in 1994 in civil engineering and building sector. In addition to social, environmental and economic dimensions, new targets have developed to move projects from narrowly focused ambitions to the detriment of other parameters that involve environmental, economic and societal enhancement (FIDIC, 2012 p.67). For instance, the aspects of the sustainable construction project for economic effects involve cost-benefit of the society, the cost incurred by users and life cycle costs.  The environmental effects are those in water, soil, consumption of energy, biodiversity as well as waste. The social effects are on security, culture and accessibility.

                                                              

 Sustainable construction adoption integrates all principles of sustainable construction in the life cycle of the project. Several stakeholders, long production durations and an open production system are included in the construction projects and comprise the interaction between the external and internal environments (Hill and Bowen, 2016 p.50). The stakeholders in the construction sector have a great responsibility in carrying out sustainable practices. In this case, the owners are regarded as the demanders in the construction sector. The willingness and need of the owners shape the processes and products from the start of the construction project (Yitmen, 2013 p. 63). When sustainable principles are included at the beginning of the project, they ease decision-making practices that promote sustainable construction. Probably, owners are part of the driving force of sustainable construction.

The construction industry is exposed to more uncertainty and risk than any other industrial sector. The management of risk in the construction projects is a significant process to achieve project objectives. A wide range of researches concerning the management of risk in construction projects has been carried. The outcome of this research revolves around the project objectives identification, the related risks as well as project phase related risks (Zou et al. 2014, p.51). Some evidence from studies has emphasized on opportunities and threat but some studies tend to focus more on the threat. However, the intense concentration does not predict that risks are more than a threat. The management of uncertainty involves improved communications, focus on project objectives and focus on value analysis issues. The uncertainty management products are among the desirable attributes for the success of the sustainable project. The development of Canada railway network is costly because of various reasons. The country has invested in developing projects that minimize greenhouse gas emission enhancing green approach. The railway network has also collaborated with various partners to ensure that the railway network is safe and secure.

Sustainability in Construction

The facilities and services provided by the airports are among the crucial parts of the infrastructure that is needed for the operation of the frequent aircraft. Airports contribute to the economies of many countries as well as offer employment. As much as they offer socioeconomic benefits in a region, environmental impacts and costs associated with the daily operation of the airports are intense (Harris and McCaffer, 2013 p.13). Airports have been immense sources of anti-environmental activity ranging from the emission of the high amount of air pollution to the screeching noise that disturbs the comfort of the ecosystem. The main challenges experienced by airport authorities are finding a balanced approach that can maximize airport capacity, possibilities and potential for future development as well as minimizing the negative impacts that accompany with the growth.

Currently, most multimillion dollars airports are adopting sustainability as a theme to minimize environmental impact, generate social progress as well as prioritizing economic growth (Rae, 2013 p.17). To achieve this, considerable measures need to be undertaken to decrease emissions, minimize noise pollution, eliminating light and visual pollution. One of the strategies that minimize the effects that emanate from aviation is by developing concise operational measures that improve traffic management services. The ATM systems should be incorporated to allow direct routings as well as utilizing efficient conditions such as optimum speed and altitude.  Routes shortening minimize carbon dioxide emissions. The use of ATM also optimizes the use of existing airport runway capacity in the most feasible way.  The inclusion of advanced technologies assists in maximizing the use of runways landing capacity by separating, minimizing as well as rising diversity of air traffic control separation rules.

The green approaches represent one of the most crucial and exciting opportunities for sustainable development in construction ranging from the national level to the global level. The green approach has an impact on the economies, the natural environment and the people at large. The construction of new bridges, pipelines system, cities, new bridges and oil plants value the green approach in construction because it represents an intelligent approach to energy use. The approach impacts energy minimization at every stage of construction ranging from the formation of the idea, realization and implementation (Deane, 2015 p.19).  The approach renders new building comfortable, less expensive to maintain and suitable to the environment. Secondly, the approach protects the water resources. The green approach has searched better ways that can be utilized for effective management of water resources by use of innovative methods for collecting water for use. Considering the built environment impacts on runoff as well as rainfall, the green approach ensures use of technologies which enhances healthier interaction between soil, water and the entire environmental ecosystem.

                                                    

Additionally, the green approach minimizes wastes and encourages recycling of materials that can be re-used. The green approach ensures that materials of high quality and long duration are used while encouraging minimized production of construction waste and the inclusion of correct calculations of the building life cycle. More so, the approach maintains the landscape green. This is achieved by emphasizing the need to preserve nature around the developed areas to protect the environment (Hwang et al. 2017 p.49). It also ensures special monitoring, conservation of the plants and animal diversity as well as soil quality. The green approach connects individuals by developing a diverse social environment that encourages the formation of new approaches in the communities. The approach seeks ways in which buildings can contribute to spatial contexts as well as exerting positive social and economic impacts.

Table 1: sustainable technologies Characteristics

Aspect	Remarks
Efficiency of Resource	• productive use of material assets, frequently utilizing reused material • in view of renewable assets and vitality (or insignificant utilization of nonrenewable assets) • proficient utilization of energy production and utilize • strong, reusable as well as recyclable
Low environmental impact	• low or favourable discharges to the environment, utilize or disposal • no harmful discharges, benefits environment by implication through its productivity
Advantages to the Society	• upgrade or keep up expectations the living standard or personal satisfaction •  accessible and available by all classes and societies • reliable with themes of decentralization, singular control and democracy
Advantages to the Economy	• financially cost effective compared with ordinary item or services • merge externalities in market cost • can be financed by the client through different monetary saving • enhance profitability or intensity of industry and trade

Figure 3 showing characteristics of sustainable technologies

The approach is valued because it accounts for every stage of the c negative impacts construction process life cycle.  By accounting every life cycle stage, the environmental negative impacts are minimized as the social and economic value of the entire lifespan is portrayed in design, construction, use and maintenance.

The construction industry poses great opportunities to several developed and developing countries. According to CIB (2014 p.46), the construction industry is responsible for meeting building as well as civil engineering products and further support the growth of the national economy as well as social development objectives. The construction industry development promotes an increased value for money to the clients of the industry. The construction industry further enhances competition and domestic construction enterprises viability. However, the industry is also faced with numerous challenges as well as problems. The difficulties and challenges are present in developing countries along with socio-economic stress, institutional weaknesses, severe resources shortage and inability to tackle fundamental issues. In recent years, the evidence of the construction problem in developing countries became severe and increased to a large extent. It is worth noting that the construction industry has numerous special requirements and problems (Chua, 2000). In many countries, measures to improve the construction industry performance have been recognized at various socio-economic development levels.

Several agencies have been established to manage the progressive industry improvement as much as they have varied responsibilities, authority levels and objectives. The Construction Industry Board is an industrial initiative in the UK while those found in developing countries are regarded as government agencies. Agencies responsible for construction include Construction Development Board of Malaysia, the National Construction Council of Tanzania (Wu and Issa, 2015 p.43) and the Institute of Construction Training and Development of Sri Lanka. The Southern African countries move in the establishment of construction industry development agencies to pool resources and coordinate efforts is encouraging. Most of the established institutions are industry inspired and involve the active participation of industry. These kinds of initiatives enhance greater sustainability and success because the major beneficiaries and stakeholders are involved in planning as well as in processes of implementation.

Putting into consideration the needs and problems of the construction industry, agency formation, and the constraints of resources do not guarantee the construction industry development success. Construction industry development is a continuous process and agencies should put this into consideration. Numerous countries at different development levels have tried to come up with long-term plans to improve the construction industries such as Australia, Singapore, UK and Hong Kong (Australian Procurement and Construction Council, 2009 p.80, Latham, 2010 p.32 and Egan, 2012 p.35). The Australian Government invests heavily in buildings, services, materials and equipment to support its social and economic programs

The need of complex economy, the demand of clients, social and technological change and globalization are among the trends that are contributing to the competitive pressures. The initiative found in Singapore is one of the successful construction industry development agency is a better example of such efforts.

Globalization is another challenge that has affected the development of the construction industry. Sharp arguments on merits and the globalization process from the developing countries are noted. Globalization is an inevitable fact on the grounds that numerous construction projects are required by countries for the financial improvement. This has prompted developing countries to import some construction services. As anticipated by different researchers, development firms from developing nations will assume a noteworthy role in future (Hassan et al., 2016 p. 8). Another issue worth noting is the cross-border strategic alliances among various development firms from developing nations. The cross-border strategic alliances collusions will empower development firms to collaborate in the construction business and innovation improvement. Ofori (2010 p.23) asserts that China has numerous contractors but sophisticated project market is left to foreign firms. With regard to environmental sustainability, developing countries tend to lag behind in responding to environmental problems. The work of environmental challenges of construction activities should be taken with urgency.

                                                         

The construction firms should progressively look for inputs as well as working ways to reduce the detrimental construction activity impacts on the environment. The construction firms should also encourage best practices that encourage low environmental impact (Chua, 2012 p.16). Concerning resource efficiency as a practice, the construction firms need to utilize material resources in an efficient way as well as energy consumption. The construction firms should also include externalities in the marketplace, improve the living standards of individuals and built structures that are readily available and accessible by individuals from all classes as well as cultures.

Over the past years, sustainability has penetrated most areas of the society such as the building and construction industry.  The topic of sustainable construction has attracted considerable attention from various academies in the world and has generated a wide body of knowledge.  The main objective of sustainability is to augment original methodological, empirical and theoretical research papers focusing on sustainable construction. It has lead to the research of sustainable construction management, sustainable development, sustainable building maintenance and innovation in sustainable construction. Sustainability research has influenced green building in various developed countries such as the US, UK, Singapore and developing countries such as Egypt and Columbia have made efforts to promote green building.

Sustainability is a crucial factor in the life cycle of the project. It is fundamental in improving the construction industry by incorporating social, environmental and economic impacts that were neglected in the past. With regard to economic sustainability, it raises profit by efficient use of resources such as water, energy and labour. Furthermore, sustainability encourages prevention of potentially irreversible effects on the environment by reducing waste, careful use of natural resources and enhancing the environment. In the project life cycle, sustainability responds to individuals needs at every stage of involvement, working closely with suppliers, employees and clients and providing customer satisfaction.

Numerous sustainable challenges are experienced in the construction industry. One of the challenges is meeting the right balance between economic performance and the environmental performance. Achieving sustainability has not been easy and cannot happen without cost. There have been heated debates among practitioners and researchers on the costs and benefits of sustainability in construction. Seemingly, a consensus between the challenges and opportunities of sustainability will not be reached soon. While other stakeholders view sustainability as a way of making a good business and economic sense, some view it as a burden.  As Love et al (2012 p.37) eludes, the conflict that is happening between economic competitiveness and environmental protection seems to a false dichotomy.

Sustainability stems from a static view of competition and a lean view of the sources of prosperity. In some cases, environmental regulation and legislation have been viewed as obstacles to the competitive advantage which should be the case. Instead, the tough standards should trigger upgrading and innovation. Organizations can be forced to innovate devices which produce less pollution and at the same time producing efficient products with high value. From this perspective, sustainable practices adoption should be seen as a cost but as a catalyst for new market opportunities and innovation.

The achievement of sustainability is facing some serious challenges. Sustainable construction faces numerous economic challenges that range from macroeconomic levels to microeconomic levels. In the developed countries, construction output has reduced although this growth is being seen in developing countries. Therefore, the attainment of sustainability has been considered hard in the developing countries. The construction sector majorly depends on implementation measures of sustainability from other economic sectors such as construction materials manufacturers. Although some companies have embarked on environmental management programs as a result of legislation, they do so due to the threats of legal action.  The construction companies tackle issues that feature construction projects apart from costs challenges.

Incorporation of multiple criteria solution is one way of enhancing best practices in the construction sector. The focus of multiple criteria solution is to shape the concepts that can be utilized to facilitate better decision making by providing supports to investors when tackling a problem-selection of solution for a project. The concept of multiple criteria solution uses various criteria for evaluation of the projects (Kuo and Lu, 2013 p.112). By applying multiple criteria solution, it is possible for investors to overcome problems that are encountered in planning. The merits of multiple criteria approach are manifested in the full capture of required information and data that relate to all aspect of planning.

                                               

The multiple criteria solution enables the timely inclusion of relevant stakeholders who are required for the quality planning process. Multiple criteria solution has a significant impact to project outcome.

Over time, international construction has been regarded as an economic activity that provides infrastructure and facilities. It is beneficial to mankind in some aspects and detrimental in others. Some concerns that are related to construction activities that focus on natural resource depletion, emission in the atmosphere and energy issues have been raised. Migration, involuntary settlement and urbanization are among the impacts of construction on the society.

The construction firm causes both positive and negative impacts on the society.

Firstly, construction activities have an impact on the vulnerable population which includes the poor, indigenous people and children’s rights. This can be caused by resettlement to allow development. Secondly, the construction activities cause impacts on the community health and safety.  These include accidents that come from the construction activities and epidemics such as HIV/AIDS that are brought into the society (Soundarrajan and Vivek, 2016 p.29). Besides, construction can contribute to the disintegration of the social structures, the distraction of social infrastructure and services. Finally, construction activities impact the cultural heritage of the society through urbanization.

The construction sector is arguably the most resource-intensive industries. The construction sector has is increasing the world energy consumption and this has raised concerns over depletion of energy resources, difficulties in supply as well as environmental impacts such as carbon dioxide emissions, ozone layer depletion, climate change and global warming. In line with these negative impacts on the construction sector, sustainability goals that ensure positive impacts on social and environmental spheres have been designed. The sustainability goals that have been established with regard to the environment include the prudent use of natural resources and protection of the environment (Flynn, 2012 p.92). The environment can be protected by reducing pollution emissions, preventing dust and noise from the construction site, elimination and reduction of waste as well as environment enhancement and habitat creation. The prudent use of resources involves efficient use of energy, minimized energy consumption and recycling of products.

Table 1. The paradigm of sustainable development

Element	Criteria
Sustainability of the Economy	Development Productivity Stream Down
Sustainability of the Society	Empowerment , Equity, Accessibility, Participation and Cultural Identity Sharing
Sustainability of the Environment	Eco-System Integrity, Biodiversity Carrying Capacity

On the other hand, the sustainability goals that are associated with the positive impact on the social spheres involve recognizing the need of everyone through respect for staff, encourage partnership working and working with the local communities. People should be given equal opportunities, provision of a healthy, safe and conducive environment, involving the community in decision making and building an effective channel for communication.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Sustainability in construction is considered as a channel where Construction Company should shift in the protection of the environment. Individuals should promote sustainability in construction to foster a balance among social, environmental as well as social performance in the implementation of projects as a result of the increasing awareness; the issue of sustainability has gained attention from several practitioners throughout the world. The implementation of sustainable building construction practices has fostered economic advancement in the building business while decreasing natural effects. To limit the negative effects of development on the environment and accomplish sustainability in the area, design for human adjustment, cost-effectiveness, and asset proficiency ought to be incorporated.

The standards ought to be introduced from the start to the last stage Different partners ought to bring diverse sustainability necessities in a more creative manner. The modern approach ought to perceive the effects of each decision both social and natural resources of the local, national and worldwide environment. The partners in the construction sector ought to guarantee that sustainability necessities are applicable at each phase of the project life cycle from its outline, its useful stage and management of waste during demolition. 

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