Abstract
Infrastructure assets perform a critical role in the economic growth and development of any nation; thus, it is important to ensure adequate investments for the delivery of infrastructure. The purpose of the study is to determine factors that affect the delivery of public infrastructure and to identify strategies that could be implemented by the government, which could be used as a reference to enhance the delivery of public infrastructure in South Africa. A quantitative method was used to gather data to assess the delivery of public infrastructure; the data was collected using closed-ended questionnaires that were distributed using google forms. The sample of 196 respondents, based in South Africa, was approached to form part of the study. The sample size was based on the population of 83 418 individuals currently registered with the Councils for the Built Environment Professions (CBEP). Of the 196 questionnaires sent out to professionals in the construction industry only 153 questionnaires were returned, which represents a 78% response rate. However, only 152 responses of the 153 responses were deemed usable and valid for analysis. The data received was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The findings reveal that corruption, delays in decision-making, lack of transparency and lack of funding are key factors affecting the delivery of public infrastructure in South Africa. In addition, cost and time overruns, lack of accountability, lack of project development capacity and politicised decision-making were essential factors impacting the delivery of public infrastructure. The findings further reveal that government budget, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), local tax revenues, Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and stateowned enterprises (SOEs) are the key sources available for the South African government to use to finance public infrastructure projects in the country. Furthermore, the findings from the data analysed reveal that construction management, joint venture/ partnering, private financing initiative, design and construct and management contracting are the most effective procurement systems used for the delivery of road infrastructure in South Africa. The findings further reveal that Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT), Management Contract (MC), Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Design, Build, Finance, Maintain and Operate (DBFOM) and Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) are PPP models that can be utilised to successfully deliver public infrastructure in South Africa. Finally, promoting good governance, eradicating corruption, utilising private sector expertise and efficiency and investing in research and innovation are key strategies that can be implemented to enhance the delivery of public infrastructure in South Africa...
M.Tech. (Construction Management)