An assessment of the application of environmentally sustainable construction practices on site: a case of contractors in Zimbabwe
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
As much as there is awareness on environmentally Sustainable Construction (SC) practices, there is a need for contractors to apply the practices on site. Challenges that hinder the application of SC practices on site can be reduced or eliminated so as to improve the realization of the benefits of SC approach to construction projects. The study assessed the level of awareness and application of sustainable construction practices by contractors in Zimbabwe during the construction phase and proposed a framework to improve the application of SC practices. The objectives that guided the study included the determination of the levels of awareness and application of environmentally SC practices by contractors in Zimbabwe, establishment of the most significant challenges hindering the application of SC practices on site and the proposal of a basic framework on how to improve the level of application of environmentally SC practices by contractors in Zimbabwe. The main tools for the collection of data included questionnaires and interviews. Classes A, B and C, building and civil contractors who are members of Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (CIFOZ) were targeted for the survey. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS V. 16) and IBM SPSS Amos v. 23 were employed to analyze data obtained. The research showed moderate levels of awareness and application of environmentally SC practices among contractors in Zimbabwe. The 16 most significant challenges were factored into three main components; COST, POLICY and RISK. In order to address the challenges, a basic framework which recommends measures such as continuous training, information sharing and improved government incentives and support was proposed
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF TH880.Z55N4753)
Keywords
Sustainable construction, Sutainable buildings, Health built environment, Zimbabwe
Citation
Nhekairo, T. W. (2015) An assessment of the application of environmentally sustainable construction practices on site: a case of contractors in Zimbabwe, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam