Shiromani, J P A G T (2014) Conceptual framework for environmental rating systems for infrastructure projects in sri lanka: Application to small hydropower projects. PhD thesis, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract
Environmental rating systems (ERSs) address a wide range of environmental impacts of constructed items. However, ERSs have tended to focus more on buildings, paying less attention to infrastructure. Also there is no agreed upon theoretical basis for ERSs. The study aimed to develop a theoretical basis for ERSs for assessing infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. Literature review identified a set of factors based on the concepts of sustainable development and Environmental Economics, highlighting the important role of natural environment for everything else to be sustained. However, some socio-economic issues become barriers to environmental sustainability in developing countries. Factors were analyzed for their importance in infrastructure development using a questionnaire survey with experts in the field. Data were analyzed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Interviews were carried out for in-depth explorations of the survey responses. The proposed framework was validated and applied to the Sri Lankan small hydropower (SHP) sector.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Ofori, G |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | sustainability; developing countries; sustainable development; Sri Lanka; analytic hierarchy process; questionnaire survey; environmental impact; infrastructure project; interview |
| Index terms: | conceptual framework, environmental sustainability, exploration, environmental impact, questionnaire, literature review, sustainable development, infrastructure development, small hydropower, survey, developing country, interview, infrastructure project, Sri Lanka |
| Subjects: | infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, energy systems, data analysis and analytics, theoretical framing, Geography, health safety and environment, infrastructure engineering, development economics, environmental impact, environmental resource management |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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