Rationale
The construction sector is a key industry in the positive growth of the UK economy, making an 8 percent contribution to the GDP (Zhou & Lowe, 2003). Construction sustainability, on the other hand, is an important aspect in the current undertaking of construction projects, not just in the UK, but in many other parts of the world.
An up to date and efficient infrastructure works significantly towards promoting growth, with the construction sector playing a key role in ensuring that built structures are not only inventive, but also effective in terms of cost. Sustainable construction involves ensuring sustainable development during construction.
It is the process of applying appropriate practices in the selection of materials to be used, their sources, the design and method of construction, as a way of improving performance, reducing the environmental project burden, minimizing waste and enhancing ecological friendliness (HM government, 2008).
Despite its contribution to the UK’s economy, the construction sector heavily affects the environment. A 2000 research found out that, demolitions and construction sites results into nearly 72, 000000 tons of waste annually. This equals to 17 percent of the total UK waste (DETR, 2000). The constructions contribute to almost 30, 000000 tons of commercial waste (7 percent).
Additionally, poorly designed and managed constructions according to Crossley (2002) result into the lack of use of nearly 10, 000000 tons of construction materials, thus leading to wastage.
It is as a result of these negative impacts, that the need for sustainable construction is necessary for every developer. In response, the government has put in place policy guidelines requiring construction industries to ensure that they employ sustainable construction standards in all their projects (Zhou & Lowe, 2003).
The implementation of a sustainable construction faces many economic related challenges, both at the micro and macro level. One such challenge is the effect of the economic recession of 2008.
According to Bon & Hutchinson (2010), the key ways of dealing with these challenges include; ensuring governance through set standards, regulatory and legal practices as well as developing and implementing policies that are market focused.
Though, developers in the UK understand the value and importance of ensuring construction sustainability, this has not been a major priority during the current times as compared to the previous years. This can mainly be attributed to the harsh economic times, resulting from the 2008 economic recession. Previously, sustainable construction was affordable, hence was a must for all constructions.
The economic down turn, however, has made the process very expensive and, hence, un affordable for many developers who opt to leave it out, or to do it using the least amount of money possible, a situation that results into poorly done projects. The successful completion of any project requires that all quality measures are put in place.
Sustainable construction is a key factor in UK’s economic growth and in the successful completion of projects. It is for this reason that, a balance between sustainable construction and ensuring project success during the current declined economic state is necessary.
There is need for a more cost effective way of construction sustainability, than that in the current situation, to be sought to ensure improved performance, environmental sustainability and economic growth. This research seeks to find that balance, by looking into how affordable sustainable forms of technology and methods could be used for sustainable construction, but still ensure that the positive impacts of the process are maintained.
A number of research studies related to sustainable construction in the UK have been conducted, with some of the studies focusing on the economy (Bon & Hutchinson, 2010; Zhou & Lowe, 2003).
Very few of the researches done have, however, focused on sustainable construction during the current time of economic recession, despite having identified the economic decline as a major challenge in the successful undertaking of the process (Rudock & Rudock, 2010). This fact further supports the need for this research to be undertaken. The research will provide a solution for the economic downturn, as a challenge.
Aim
To investigate the balance between Sustainable Construction and Project Success in the Current Economical Situation in the UK.
Objectives
- To understand the importance of sustainable construction both to the construction industry and the UK as a whole.
- To find out how the economic recession has affected sustainable construction in the UK?
- To identify the measures put in place by the UK government to ensure effective sustainable construction.
- To identify how the costs of sustainable construction can be made affordable to every developer during the current economic situation.
Research Methodology
Literature Review
Data from secondary sources, and that will be used for the literature review, will be obtained from peer reviewed articles, books, presentations, reports and relevant, reliable websites. All sources used will be those between the years 2000 to 2011, so as to ensure that information obtained is up to date. The reviewed literature will give information relating to the identified objectives above. In this case, the reviewed literature will:
- Clearly define and describe sustainable construction.
- Illustrate the importance of sustainable construction both to the construction industry and the UK as a whole.
- Describe how the economic recession has affected sustainable construction in the UK?
- Identify the measures put in place by the UK government to ensure effective sustainable construction.
- Bring out how the costs of sustainable construction can be made affordable to every developer during the current economic situation.
Data Collection
Primary data will be collected from a selected sample of 10 respondents who will include 2 managers from 5 construction companies in the UK. The research will be based in two cities, London and Birmingham. Research questionnaires and interviews will be used to collect the data.
Data Analysis
The analysis of collected data will be done through the use of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. The analyzed data will be presented in form of tables, graphs and charts.
Research report, Conclusion and Recommendation
After the data is analyzed, a report will be compiled. The report will document the entire process of the research undertaking, which will be inclusive of the study rationale, aims and objectives, literature review, research methodology, ethical issues and challenges faced, conclusion and recommendation. The conclusion and recommendations will be made based on the research findings obtained.
Dissertation Structure
Introduction
This part of the study will present the introduction, study background, rationale, aims and objectives, scope and significance of the study.
Literature Review
In this section, the identified literature will be reviewed to provide information required for the research. This will include a review of existing literature as an account of the knowledge and ideas that have been established by accredited scholars and experts in the field of study. This will be guided by the objectives of the study outlined in chapter one.
Research Methodology
This chapter will present a discussion of the methodology used in the research, The methodological chapter will include the elements such as; selection of the study area and population, hypotheses, research design, sample and population, instrumentation, data collection procedures, statistical analysis, ethical considerations and limitation of the study.
Data Presentation and Analysis
This will analyze and present the collected data.
Results and Discussions
This will broadly discuss the findings obtained from the data analysis procedure. The findings will be discussed in line with the research objectives.
Recommendations and Conclusions
This chapter will be a presentation of the major summary findings, conclusion and recommendations for future interventions. The solutions for the identified problem or challenge will be brought out in this section.
References
Bon, R. & Hutchinson, K. 2000, ‘Sustainable construction: some economic Challenges’, Building Research & Information, vol. 28 no. 5/6, pp. 301- 304.
Crossley, R. 2002, Reputation, Risk and Reward: The Business Case for Sustainability in the UK Property Sector, Bre, Sustainable Construction Task Group.
DETR 2000, Building a Better Quality of Life: A Strategy for More Sustainable Construction, London, DETR.
HM government 2008, Strategy for Sustainable Construction. Web.
Rudock, L. & Rudock, S. 2010, Emerging from the Global Economic Crisis: Delivering Recovery through a Sustainable Construction Industry, London, CIB Publication.
Zhou, L. & Lowe, J. 2003, Economic challenges of sustainable construction, London, RICS Foundation.