An assessment of ecological economics as a model for promoting sustainability in the South African construction industry
- Authors: Ndou, Mpho
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/233209 , uj:23805
- Description: M.Tech. (Construction Management) , Abstract: The construction industry is one of the largest contributing industries towards socio-economic growth in South Africa. However, the industry has not overcome the problems facing other developing countries worldwide in relation to the impact of society on the environment and socio-economic development that has been contributing considerably to the consumption of natural resources and energy from the construction industry. The present research assessed the use of ecological economics, also known as eco-economics (EE) as a model of sustainability and innovation within the construction sector and the built environment as a whole in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Ecological economics is a concept that embodies both the ecology and economic perspectives under one umbrella. From this the objectives of the study were to evaluate the ecological and environmental awareness of the EE model in South African professions within the built environment, appraise the factors preventing the adoption of EE in the South African construction industry and also to assess ways that can encourage the adoption of EE amongst professionals in the South Africa construction industry. In addition, analysing the EE measures of mitigating building construction impacts on the environment and evaluating the effects of building construction activities on the environment were part of the research objectives. The data employed in this research was derived from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire which was distributed to construction professionals. Out of 200 questionnaires that were distributed, only 132 usable questionnaires were received, representing a response rate of 66 per cent that was deemed viable for this study. The questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistical procedures. The study revealed that construction professionals had little or no knowledge of ecological economics as a model of sustainability in the construction industry. Similarly, the findings further showed that procurement practices and lack of capacity for sustainable empowerment, amongst others, are the major factors hindering the adoption of ecological economics as a driver of sustainability in the construction industry. In addition, major findings also revealed that communicating new ideas through conferences and serminars amongst others and also incentivizing ideas for change relating to greener construction methods are widely considered as being existing factors hindering the adoption of...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndou, Mpho
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/233209 , uj:23805
- Description: M.Tech. (Construction Management) , Abstract: The construction industry is one of the largest contributing industries towards socio-economic growth in South Africa. However, the industry has not overcome the problems facing other developing countries worldwide in relation to the impact of society on the environment and socio-economic development that has been contributing considerably to the consumption of natural resources and energy from the construction industry. The present research assessed the use of ecological economics, also known as eco-economics (EE) as a model of sustainability and innovation within the construction sector and the built environment as a whole in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Ecological economics is a concept that embodies both the ecology and economic perspectives under one umbrella. From this the objectives of the study were to evaluate the ecological and environmental awareness of the EE model in South African professions within the built environment, appraise the factors preventing the adoption of EE in the South African construction industry and also to assess ways that can encourage the adoption of EE amongst professionals in the South Africa construction industry. In addition, analysing the EE measures of mitigating building construction impacts on the environment and evaluating the effects of building construction activities on the environment were part of the research objectives. The data employed in this research was derived from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire which was distributed to construction professionals. Out of 200 questionnaires that were distributed, only 132 usable questionnaires were received, representing a response rate of 66 per cent that was deemed viable for this study. The questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistical procedures. The study revealed that construction professionals had little or no knowledge of ecological economics as a model of sustainability in the construction industry. Similarly, the findings further showed that procurement practices and lack of capacity for sustainable empowerment, amongst others, are the major factors hindering the adoption of ecological economics as a driver of sustainability in the construction industry. In addition, major findings also revealed that communicating new ideas through conferences and serminars amongst others and also incentivizing ideas for change relating to greener construction methods are widely considered as being existing factors hindering the adoption of...
- Full Text:
Awareness of ecological economics as a model for promoting sustainable construction
- Oke, Ayodeji, Aigbavboa, Clinton, Ndou, Mpho
- Authors: Oke, Ayodeji , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Ndou, Mpho
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community empowerment , Ecosystem , Sustainable neighbourhood
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/239221 , uj:24571 , Citation: Oke, A., Aigbavboa, C. & Ndou, M. 2017. Awareness of ecological economics as a model for promoting sustainable construction. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies (ISSN: 2220-6140) Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 152-156, February 2017. , ISSN: 2220-6140
- Description: Abstract: Construction industry is a major consumer of natural resources and this has a significant impact on the environment and socio-economic development of society. The result of this impact includes deforestation; climate change, air, water and land pollution; and the like. Ecological economics (EE) models are tools for assessing and understanding these issues with a view to enhancing green buildings and sustainable construction in general. As part of a continuous study, this research therefore examines the level of awareness of the concept of EE by construction professionals in a quest to adopting the principle of sustainable development. Data were collected through questionnaires administered on relevant and experienced construction professionals such as construction project managers, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and construction managers. EE as an aid would help in mitigating construction impacts on the environment, thereby enhancing sustainability but it is barely practised in the construction industry. This is as a result of the fact that construction professionals have little or no knowledge of its existence in the local industry. Most professionals with knowledge of the concept in the study area obtained the information on sustainability through the media and short courses .. The basic influencing factors are related to professionals' levels of education, the economic development of the country and knowledge of the environment. Introducing EE through communicating new ideas to stakeholders (through environmental campaigns, conferences, and the like) as well as incentivising ideas for change relating to greener construction will assist in overcoming the barriers to the adoption of EE in the construction industry. Professionals also need to keep abreast of current sustainable practices, their benefits, challenges, barriers as well as the methods of overcoming these barriers in their quest for delivering sustainable projects.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oke, Ayodeji , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Ndou, Mpho
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community empowerment , Ecosystem , Sustainable neighbourhood
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/239221 , uj:24571 , Citation: Oke, A., Aigbavboa, C. & Ndou, M. 2017. Awareness of ecological economics as a model for promoting sustainable construction. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies (ISSN: 2220-6140) Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 152-156, February 2017. , ISSN: 2220-6140
- Description: Abstract: Construction industry is a major consumer of natural resources and this has a significant impact on the environment and socio-economic development of society. The result of this impact includes deforestation; climate change, air, water and land pollution; and the like. Ecological economics (EE) models are tools for assessing and understanding these issues with a view to enhancing green buildings and sustainable construction in general. As part of a continuous study, this research therefore examines the level of awareness of the concept of EE by construction professionals in a quest to adopting the principle of sustainable development. Data were collected through questionnaires administered on relevant and experienced construction professionals such as construction project managers, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and construction managers. EE as an aid would help in mitigating construction impacts on the environment, thereby enhancing sustainability but it is barely practised in the construction industry. This is as a result of the fact that construction professionals have little or no knowledge of its existence in the local industry. Most professionals with knowledge of the concept in the study area obtained the information on sustainability through the media and short courses .. The basic influencing factors are related to professionals' levels of education, the economic development of the country and knowledge of the environment. Introducing EE through communicating new ideas to stakeholders (through environmental campaigns, conferences, and the like) as well as incentivising ideas for change relating to greener construction will assist in overcoming the barriers to the adoption of EE in the construction industry. Professionals also need to keep abreast of current sustainable practices, their benefits, challenges, barriers as well as the methods of overcoming these barriers in their quest for delivering sustainable projects.
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