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What Mental Health Topics Do Female Practitioners Discuss in the Construction Industry? A Qualitive Literature Review
Get PDFThe construction industry in Australia is characterized by a notably low representation of women among professional groups, the lowest across all major industries and sectors. Women who enter the industry frequently face harassment and discrimination and encounter fewer opportunities for career advancement compared to their male counterparts. There is still a clear lack of awareness and understanding among female practitioners in the construction industry regarding mental health issues. Therefore, this research addresses this significant gap through a qualitative literature review, analysing over 129 published research papers. The findings were assessed using content analysis to pinpoint the primary barriers that female practitioners encounter, alongside a range of pivotal factors and issues. This study further encapsulates the theoretical contributions and practical implications derived from existing research on mental health issues among women in construction. Future research should aim to further explore mental health challenges and devise specific interventions to support the continuous inclusion of women in the construction industry
Strategic Solutions to Align Contractor Capacities with Water Infrastructure Demands: A Case Study
No full textThis research investigates solutions for bridging the gap between future water infrastructure demands and the contractor capacities in Watercare’s service zone. Using forecast models to evaluate urban infrastructure requirements and contractor capabilities, this study identifies significant discrepancies and explores three strategic approaches: capacity enhancement, project rescheduling, and external contractor attraction. The methodology includes data-driven forecasting, scenario analysis, and stakeholder consultation. Findings highlight the importance of proactive planning to ensure alignment, with implications for policy development and infrastructure management
Offsite Evolution: Do we Really Understand the Potential Impact of Technology on Industry 5.0?
No full textOffsite Manufacturing (OSM) has repeatedly been extoled as a panacea solution for addressing ‘traditional’ construction challenges – ergo: time, quality and cost. However, it is posited here that there are grounds to challenge this preconception, particularly from a technology perspective, given industry’s need to align to Industry 5.0. Arguably (and somewhat contentiously), the industry is still in the process of trying to understand the concepts underpinning Industry 4.0. Thus, in order to understand this perceived disparity, this research used the antecedents from CIB’s Offsite Production and Manufacturing research roadmap (TG74 – publication 372) produced in 2013 as a starting point for discussion. The initial “people-process-technology” constructs were evaluated to establish a starting trajectory. These were subsequently revisited for current/future use - cognisant of the need to align technology-related issues to Industry 5.0. Focus was placed on organisational transition, especially the impact of technology on production, resources and circularity; including the wider societal impact (generational needs, expectations and growth). The research methodological approach adopted used purposive OSM-specific literature, which was synthesised and pattern-matched to confirm the focus and direction of travel. The findings from this were then cross-examined with domain experts using two semi-structured questionnaires and three focus group sessions. The collective findings of primary data was then critiqued, codified and validated against ‘technology maturity readiness’ indicators to highlight organisational priorities and future transition pathways to Industry 5.0
A System Dynamics Model for Urban Sprawl and Its Impact on Sustainability
No full textThe exponential population growth and global urbanization have resulted in a surge in the demand for housing, thereby intensifying the demand for construction material resources. Nonetheless, the construction industry continues to be a significant contributor to global pollution, with its annual carbon dioxide emissions exceeding 35% of global emissions. Furthermore, the industry generates substantial construction and demolition (C&D) waste, comprising 20-29% of all US solid waste. To address these environmental concerns, a fundamental understanding of the management of construction resources and C&D wastes is needed. To this end, the goal of this paper is to propose a system dynamics model to simulate the urban environmental management of C&D waste in the construction industry. The model incorporates historical data and established principles from the literature to simulate the emergent behavior of the housing market for the State of Washington as a case study, and simulates the construction material demand, C&D waste generation and handling, and the associated environmental impacts. The findings underscore the superior effectiveness of proactive reuse of C&D waste compared to reactive waste management strategies. Furthermore, the results emphasize the critical role of integrating enhanced reuse practices and alternative waste management methods beyond landfilling. This integration is essential for fostering a sustainable circular economy and mitigating environmental impacts, with the potential to yield significant reductions of over 40% in construction-related greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, this model provides valuable insights for construction stakeholders and governmental bodies, informing policies on sustainable circular economy initiatives and urban environmental management strategies
Facilities Management Integration into Construction Management Curriculum: Core Competencies
Get PDFThe construction industry has long been known for issues in stakeholder collaboration due to the fragmentation in its realm. Facilities Management (FM) received increasing attention with the shifted trends of the construction industry from a siloed discipline to a holistic approach where educational efforts need to align with this transformation. FM and building operations related topics need to be infused into the construction management (CM) curriculum to improve the analytical reasoning and critical thinking of the future workforce. With that, this study aims to identify the core competencies in CM and FM areas as a first step to determining the opportunities and challenges of integrating FM and building operations related topics into CM education. To do so, the research team reviewed the resources of globally recognized professional associations in CM and FM areas. The results revealed that there is a major symmetry in the competencies of both areas, which presents a great opportunity to incorporate FM topics related to these competencies in the CM curriculum. The FM competencies that are not part of the CM area: (i) operations and maintenance, (ii) occupancy and human factors, and (iii) real estate need further investigation to better understand the opportunities and challenges of blending these into the CM curriculum. This study supports increasing the awareness of integrating a holistic approach in the built environment industry starting from the educational level by providing identification of core competencies, a fundamental step for the integration of FM into the CM curriculum
Improving User Experience through Bedroom Lighting Services for Older People Living in Personal Houses
No full textThe global ageing tendency underscores the necessity for indoor building services to accommodate the needs of older adults. Bedroom lighting services encompass both natural and electric lighting as well as supporting facilities such as light control, shading devices, and anti-reflection finishes. It facilitates visual interactions between occupants and their living environment. The user experience of older people reflects the extent to which current bedroom lighting services address their needs, which significantly influences their well-being in later years. Key aspects valued by older users can be divided into the sufficiency of task lighting, evenness during movement, navigation in the room, convenience, likability, and comfort. Aiming to reveal the influence of existing lighting services on user experience, this study conducted an on-site measurement and questionnaire survey with older people in personal living units. Three items of bedroom lighting service (i.e., natural light, electric light, and shading device) significantly impacted three dimensions of the user experience, including sufficiency, evenness, and navigation. Furthermore, the aforementioned user experience items were interrelated with convenience and likability. On the basis of the correlation results, the Bedroom Lighting Services-User Experience Model was built. Feasible recommendations were proposed for older people living in their own houses. Enhancing user experience is expected to contribute positively to the well-being and health of older adults, aligning with the Ageing in Place strategy and fostering the development of ageing-friendly living environments
Building Sustainable Cities and Communities: Contribution of Digital Twins to a Sustainable Built Environment
No full textThe widespread adoption of Digital Twins in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO) industry is transforming project dynamics across multiple phases. Digital Twins promises to optimize workflows, enhance process control, and elevate overall project quality throughout the project lifecycle. Despite the immediate benefits observed, the enduring correlation between Digital Twins and fostering a sustainable built environment requires more in-depth exploration. This paper investigates the pivotal role of Digital Twins in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 11, which centers on sustainable cities and communities. Drawing on insights extracted from the existing research, a systematic literature review of published scientific research forms the foundation of this study. A bibliometric analysis is conducted, mapping the current landscape of Digital Twins implementations. Four key themes of the contribution of Digital Twins to sustainable cities and communities emerged from this analysis: energy efficiency, urban mobility, resilience, and urban planning. The main findings shed light on the prevailing research trends, identify key themes, and pinpoint existing gaps in the domain. By unraveling the relationship between Digital Twins and sustainable urban development, this research seeks to inform future strategies and innovations in the AECO industry, fostering environmentally conscious practices. Ultimately, this study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on integrating Digital Twins to pursue sustainable cities and communities
Air Quality In Smart Cities: Beyond Technology
Get PDFBeing ‘smart’ remains a prominent goal that many cities wish to achieve, not only for the excitement the awarding of ‘smart city status’ can generate, but also because smart cities are seen as the way to overcome current and future urban challenges. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is globally recognised for their standards, and in 2019 they released their Smart City Indicators standard (ISO 37122) which has since become a leading standardised methodology adopted by city leaders to guide their city smartness efforts. The ISO 37122 also links its smart city indicators to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) thus creating a clear link for how their indicators can help cities meet respective SDGs. Technology is undoubtedly a necessary component of smart cities as well as a means to achieve the SDGs. However, the ISO 37122 and often those in the built environment tend to prioritise technological output over a more human-centric smart outcome, which can arguably impede any progress towards smartness or the SDGs. This paper presents the analysis of the ISO 37122 air quality smart city indicator linked to SDGs 3 and 11. Through critical discourse analysis it uncovers shortfalls of the proposed indicator methodology when analysed through the smart outcome lens, and identifies areas within that where achieving smartness is hindered. Technology alone is not enough to improve a city’s air quality, to achieve a smart outcome and consequently the SDGs themselves; this paper aims to recalibrate the collective focus on what actually achieves a sustainable and smart built environment
Student Motivation and Engagement in Service-Learning Projects for Construction Education
Get PDFThis study explores the integration of service-learning projects into construction education, focusing on their impact on student engagement, skill development, and social awareness. The research highlights how service learning bridges academic knowledge with real-world applications, preparing students for the construction industry while fostering civic responsibility. Through participation in hands-on projects, students developed technical competencies such as planning, management, and construction execution, as well as critical soft skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. Reflective practices revealed a deeper understanding of the social impact of their work, with many students expressing enthusiasm for future service-learning opportunities. Despite these benefits, challenges such as uneven task distribution, logistical inefficiencies, and resource limitations were identified. To address these issues, the study recommends smaller group arrangements, flexible scheduling, clear role definitions, and improved resource allocation. Strengthened safety measures and safety training are also essential for ensuring student well-being and aligning with industry standards. A key finding is the importance of early engagement strategies, such as inviting guest speakers, in motivating students and addressing initial apprehensions. Guest speakers from community organizations and the university service-learning office effectively enhanced students’ understanding of service learning’s purpose and value, driving greater participation and commitment. These findings offer actionable insights for enhancing service-learning initiatives and creating meaningful, impactful educational experiences in construction education
Comprehensive ventilation and energy performance analysis of vertical shading devices in cooling-dominant climates
Get PDFConsideration for reducing energy consumption is crucial in sustainable building designs. Vertical Shading Devices (VSDs), as components of sustainable building design, are widely applied in buildings in tropical environments to minimize internal heat gains towards reducing cooling energy consumption. However, their influence on building performance is based on optimal designs of orientation and depths which are not comprehensively included in recent studies. In this study, the effects of different VSD configurations on building ventilation and energy performance in five cooling-dominated cities have been investigated using models in Building Energy Simulation Test (BESTEST) in EnergyPlus and jEPlus. The relationship between VSD orientation and depth and shading performance parameters such as solar gains, mean radiant temperature, total ventilation loss, and cooling energy were evaluated. The results show that building solar gains and ventilation flowrates increased with the increasing VSD tilt angles. Also, the VSDs’ internal temperature decreasing capacity increased as the depths increased. The changes in VSD configurations were found to reduce solar gains by 84.7%, indoor temperature by 1.47°C, and ventilation loss by 60%. This study can help building designers to comprehend energy and ventilation performance of VSD configurations and provide insights and references for sustainable shading design