An investigation into the applicability of sustainable construction practices: a case of the building industry in Uganda

Abstract

While current sustainability initiatives, strategies and processes focus on wider global aspirations and strategic objectives, they are noticeably weak in addressing micro-level (project specific level) integrated decision-making. This study presented an investigation into the application of identified sustainable construction practices in the building industry in Uganda. This was intended to create a deeper understanding on how globally accepted practices that foster sustainable building projects are used in the Ugandan context, factors that affect their implementation and possible ways to enhance these practices to be applied more in an appropriate balance while considering economical,environmental and social factors decison making while implementing building projects. This study was intended to further the sustainability agenda of the building sector. A questionnaire wasthe tool used to collect data from construction professionals i.e. Architects, Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Quantity Surveyors. The findings identified major sustainable construction practices under resource conservation, cost efficiency and design for human adaptation. The results of the study also indicated the extent of application of sustainable construction practices as 62.56% for resource conservation, 56.83% for cost efficiency and 56.69% for human adaptation. Regarding the factors that influence the use of sustainable construction practices, government regulation factors were rated highest at 22.79% followed by stakeholder pressures at 20.41% and lastly management commitment at 17.17%. The results also indicated that environmental, economic, social, government regulations, stakeholder pressure and managerial commitment were factors that positively influenced the application of sustainable construction practices in the construction industry. Recommendations to enhance the application of sustainable construction practices were; training and awareness on sustainable construction practices, a general need for new regulations and improvement of the existing regulations regarding sustainable construction practices, professional collaborations and engagement, top management attitude of consultancy and construction firms needs to put in place key measures in their firms that enable construction projects to be designed and implemented in a sustainable way. There was also need to develop a database of quality construction related information that is readily available to enable all stakeholders to make more informed decisions while implementing construction projects