Wijewansha, A S; Tennakoon, G A; Waidyasekara, K and Ekanayake, B J (2021) Implementation of circular economy principles during pre-construction stage: The case of Sri Lanka. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 11(4), pp. 750-766. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Despite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable resource consumption levels, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and waste generation is monumental. Circular economy (CE) concept is identified globally as an avenue to address problems regarding adverse impacts of construction on the environment. This paper presents the principles of CE as an avenue for enhancing environmental sustainability during the pre-construction stage within Sri Lankan construction projects. This research was approached through a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The number of experts were limited due to lack of experts with knowledge on the subject area in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using content analysis. revealed a range of activities under each R principle of CE, that is, reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, reclassification and renewability that could be implemented during the pre-construction stage, thereby providing a guide for construction professionals in implementing CE at the pre-construction stage. The need to expand knowledge on CE concepts within the Sri Lankan construction sector was recognized. This study provides a qualitative in-depth perspective on how 6R principles of CE could be integrated to a construction project during the pre-construction stage. By adopting the proposed activities under CE principles, construction professionals can enhance the environmental sustainability of construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; environmental sustainability; pre-construction stage; Sri Lanka; sustainability; content analysis; economic growth; economic development; green buildings |
| Index terms: | construction project, construction professional, well-being, green building, Sri Lanka, resource consumption, economic growth, construction sector, implementation, redesign, environmental sustainability, greenhouse gas, interview, economic development, recycle, reclassification, waste generation, pre-construction, content analysis, qualitative research method, circular economy |
| Subjects: | project delivery, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, environmental resource management, design methods, climate science, waste management, environmental impact, research design and methodology, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods, industry analysis, data management, professional development, sustainable design, health safety and environment, Geography, production management, design practice, economic development |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Design Practice, Health and Safety, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Sustainability, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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