Majdalani, Z; Ajam, M and Mezher, T (2006) Sustainability in the construction industry: A Lebanese case study. Construction Innovation, 6(1), pp. 33-46. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Sustainable construction is a way for the building industry to move towards achieving sustainable development, taking into account environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues. Buildings, infrastructure and the environment are inextricably linked. Energy, materials, water and land are all consumed in the construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure. These built structures are also part of our living environment, affecting our living conditions, social wellbeing and health. It is therefore important to explore environmentally and economically sound design and development techniques to ensure that buildings and infrastructure are sustainable, healthy and affordable. The objective of this paper is to investigate the role that the construction industry is playing in the sustainable development management globally and in Lebanon particularly. Survey questionnaires were distributed to main construction industry players: Contractors, Architects/Engineers and Owners/Developers. These questionnaires are designed to collect information on companies' environmental awareness and social responsibilities and current practices that include land development, material selections, energy efficiency, construction operations, waste handling, storage facilities, sustainable designs and so on. The information is then analysed and recommendations are made on how to learn from socially responsible companies and how to improve the overall sustainable development of the construction industry in Lebanon.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | environmental management; good practices; green design; sustainable construction |
| Index terms: | social responsibility, Lebanon, living condition, land development, questionnaire, sustainable development, survey, sustainable design, sustainable construction, land, construction industry, environmental management, environmental awareness, building industry, architect, engineer, owner, good practice, construction operation, energy efficiency, case study, design and development |
| Subjects: | health safety and environment, Geography, design process, sustainable construction, performance measurement, sustainability assessment, industry analysis, sociology, profession, data collection methods, construction operations, real estate economics, sustainability and energy, environmental behaviour |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Urban Studies, Quality Management, Site Management, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Sustainability |
| 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