Gillott, C; Davison, B and Densley Tingley, D (2022) Drivers, barriers and enablers: Construction sector views on vertical extensions. Building Research & Information, 50(8), pp. 909-923. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Buildings and construction are responsible for 38% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making decarbonisation of the construction sector essential in combatting climate change. Limiting resource consumption and waste generation by transitioning to a circular economy (CE) is key to reducing emissions. The adaptive reuse of existing buildings, such as through their vertical extension, represents one of the most effective ways in which this can be done. Despite this, and although existing work has been completed in surrounding contexts, understanding of factors influencing the uptake of vertical extensions remains limited. Through a survey and follow-up interviews, this paper investigates construction sector professionals' current awareness, uptake and experience of vertical extensions, as well as the key drivers, barriers and enablers affecting implementation. Economic factors are revealed to be the primary driver for extension projects, though case-by-case variability results in commercial risk in some instances. Other barriers include difficulty appraising existing structures, resistance within the construction sector and unfavourable tax regimes. Mandatory whole-life carbon assessments and adjustment of tax regimes are recommended to increase uptake of vertical extensions, as well as enhanced education of engineers and greater consideration of CE amongst stakeholders.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | adaptability; built environment; circular economy; demolition; embodied carbon; reuse |
| Index terms: | climate change, greenhouse gas, construction sector, adaptability, survey, interview, embodied carbon, variability, resource consumption, economic factor, implementation, built environment, circular economy, waste generation, adaptive reuse, engineer |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, environmental resource management, environmental impact, climate science, data collection methods, profession, user focus, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, statistical analysis, economic concepts, sustainable design |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Procurement, Research Practice, Urban Studies, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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