Cheng, B; Huang, J; Guo, Z; Li, J and Chen, H (2023) Towards sustainable construction through better construction and demolition waste management practices: A SWOT analysis of Suzhou, China. International Journal of Construction Management, 23(15), pp. 2614-2624. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Construction and demolition waste (CDW) has caused resource waste, environmental pollution and ecological damage, thus seriously threatening the construction industry's sustainable development. However, few studies provide a systematic framework for strategic analysis and planning of CDW management (CDWM) at the regional level, and empirical studies in typical Chinese first-tier cities are unavailable. This study thus aims to develop a systematic framework to analyze the internal and external conditions of regional CDWM practices through a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis. Suzhou, a typical Chinese first-tier city whose CDWM practices are at the leading level across China, is selected for an empirical study to demonstrate the framework and investigate the critical success factors for CDWM. Data supporting this study are derived from various channels such as reviewing related regulations, laws, government reports, and published materials and interviewing related government staff and industry stakeholders. Based on SWOTs identified, five strategic recommendations were proposed for future improvements of CDWM practices in Suzhou. Findings from this study allow related stakeholders to deeply understand the current quo of CDWM in Suzhou, contributing to the city’s sustainable construction and circular economy. This study also provides valuable references for other similar cities for CDW strategic planning.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; construction and demolition waste management; sustainable construction; Suzhou; SWOT analysis |
| Index terms: | strategic planning, empirical study, strategic analysis, construction industry, pollution, circular economy, waste management, regulation, China, critical success factor, sustainable construction, construction and demolition, sustainable development |
| Subjects: | waste management, control systems, business, sustainable design, Geography, health safety and environment, sustainable construction, management, research methods, industry analysis, political science, environmental health |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Governance |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here