Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemLean and Green: How the Synergy Can Promote Sustainable Construction(Springer Nature, 2023-08-01)Lean construction aims to improve efficiency through the reduction of wasteful activities. These waste reduction activities also indirectly improve the sustainability approach used by organizations. Our paper examines the definition of lean construction (LC), LC activities, and green construction as understood by academics through a focused literature review. It then examines these practices considering how these activities contribute towards enhancing the sustainability of the built environment and the organization. Our findings suggest that not all waste reduction activities have the same degree of effect on sustainability improvements. Some lean tools such as standardization and just-in-time (JIT) for production scheduling can have a better effect, especially, if the key performance indicators (KPI) specifically target sustainability indicators. “Lean and Green” is not a myth and is very much achievable in the construction industry with the current efforts towards industry 4.0/5.0. Combining these two concepts remains a challenge. This paper aims to learn from what we already know and suggests ways on how “Lean and Green” can be achieved in the future. The paper includes a discussion on leveraging lean and green concepts to achieve the sustainable development goals promoted by the United Nations.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableChallenges in Transport Logistics for Modular Construction: A Case Study(Springer Nature, 2023-01-01)Construction logistics is one of the essential functions in the modular construction industry due to the high demand for on-time delivery of components. For modular component suppliers, there is minimal flexibility in delivery times as generally, the installation times of modular components are critical to the contractor’s construction programme. There are several studies conducted in recent years that articulate novel methodologies in construction logistics scheduling; however, the industry still faces challenges in streamlining the whole supply chain to better cater to potential uncertainties that impact construction logistics. This paper looks at a case study on a modular component supplier in Melbourne, with regarding to the challenges faced and how they have effectively overcome these challenges and provides a framework to mitigate construction logistics related discrepancies in the supply chain. The resilience of these methods in facing unforeseen events such as COVID-19 will also be discussed. The overarching objectives of this paper are to include: (1) bibliographic mapping of related publications; (2) identification of current methods, problems and technologies used in modular construction logistics; and (3) propose best practice guidelines that can be implemented to effectively cater to such uncertainties in construction logistics to minimise the impact on the supply chain. Further, incorporating lean principles for planning construction logistics and transport for the modular construction industry is also in discussion. Finally, the potential future research directions are highlighted to guide the researchers to pursue areas of much importance.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableConstruction Project Managers Graduate Agile Competencies Required to Meet Industry Needs(Springer, Singapore, 2021-01-01)The construction industry is embracing new management challenges to deal with the ever-increasing needs for collaboration, environmental and social responsibilities. Improvements in construction project management competencies are essential to helping the construction sector to embrace the new challenges. Building engineering management capabilities through the correct training are therefore essential. In research involving the twenty-four largest contractors in Australia ‘Lean construction’ was identified as an important skill to be included in academic programs that has not yet fully been embraced. Contractors are not yet seeing ‘lean’ and ‘agile’ methods as important approaches to improve communication within the teams and between projects. This research highlighted that although contractors identified communication as one of themain skills needed to achieve a good performance in project construction management they do not yet recognise that training in lean and agile methodologies will help them to improve communication not only between professionals but between projects and organisations involved in each project in improving business goals.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableGreen Buildings in Makassar, Indonesia(Springer Nature, 2020)Indonesia has one of the world’s largest populations, which creates a demand for buildings. Construction and operation of buildings have impacts on environment. To create sustainable cities, Indonesia applied the smart cities concept and selected Makassar as one of three role model cities. This chapter explores the current situation in Makassar with respect to green building adoption, the challenges faced and opportunities in market transformation. The Green Building Council of Indonesia (GBCI) in Makassar is heavily involved with market transformation for green building practices and has four main activities: market transformation, training and education, green building certification and stakeholder engagement. GBCI has developed the GREENSHIP rating tool, an assessment system covering categories associated with the green building concept as it applies to Indonesia. The embracing of the green building concept, however, is still low in Makassar. Market transformation is a challenging task, and there is still a lack of formal education programmes and courses available to architects, engineers and the construction industry to drive the transformation. The initial higher cost of green building presents as a major barrier to the uptake of green building even though these costs are mitigated after a period of 4–5 years through a reduction in operational costs. Government regulations that support green building practices and education of the community about the benefits of green building may support/improve uptake of green building.
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ItemUnderstanding the Green Building Industry in Thailand(Springer, 2020)Promoting green building has become a global trend to improve resource efficiency and well-being of societies. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the key aspects of the green building industry in Thailand (i.e., critical successful factors, key green technologies, and barriers) and to provide a sound basis for deeply understanding the drivers of the industry. Based on a survey of consultants, architects, and engineers, the results show that critical success factors of green building are mainly related to competence of project participants, integration of project team, technical and management innovation, external environment, and project characteristics. The analysis of green technical capabilities demonstrates that project participants should emphasize improving technical skills in green building, use of green materials, and familiarity with green building rating systems. Barriers to green building mainly arise from financial pressure, technical limitation, and inadequate promotion. The findings can help project participants to adopt appropriate strategies in boosting green building in emerging markets of developing countries. Future studies should focus on levering the demand of the market, integrated green technology innovation, and management measures at project, organizational, and industrial levels.