Pages: 460 - 470 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 460-470, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and compare cost and carbon critical elements of two office buildings, and to help achieve an optimum balance between the capital cost (CC) and embodied carbon (EC) of buildings. Design/methodology/approach Case study approach was employed to study cost and carbon critical elements of two office buildings as it allows an in-depth and holistic investigation. Elemental estimates of CC and EC were prepared from BoQs of the two buildings by obtaining rates from the UK Building Blackbook. Pareto principle (80:20 rule) was used to identify carbon and cost critical elements of the two buildings, and the significance hierarchies of building elements were compared. Findings Substructure, frame and services were identified as both carbon and cost critical elements responsible for more than 70 per cent of the total CC and EC of both buildings. Stairs and ramps, internal doors and fittings, furnishings and equipment were identified to be the least carbon- and cost-significant elements contributing less than 2 per cent of total CC and EC in both buildings. The hierarchy of cost and carbon significance varies between buildings due to the difference in the specification and design. Originality/value The increasing significance of dual currency (cost and carbon) demands cost and carbon management during the early stages of projects. Hence, this paper suggests that focusing on carbon and cost-intensive building elements is a way forward to keep both cost and carbon under control during the early stages of projects. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:28Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-12-2016-0086
Pages: 471 - 489 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 471-489, November 2017. Purpose While the general trends in green building (GB) research are known, there is not yet a detailed review of studies on project delivery attributes (PDAs) influencing GB project outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to understand the contributions of existing research in this area and to identify the challenges, gaps, and lessons for the future research relating GB project delivery. Design/methodology/approach For the systematic review, specially developed coding based on Boolean operators is used to search for relevant studies in major databases, i.e. Web of Science and Scopus. The studies from the initial search (443) are subjected to two rounds of scrutiny for shortlisting only relevant publications. Using a qualitative review of the shortlisted studies (20), the research objectives and findings of the studies are synthesized and critically analyzed. The contributions and challenges facing research in this area are identified. Future research directions are proposed. Findings Studies in the area have established association between PDAs and various GB project success criteria. In the literature, some PDAs such as project delivery method have been given greater attention than others. Challenges facing PDA research in GB include: the limited number of GB project cases and the complexity of GB project delivery process involving an overwhelmingly large number of variables, thereby limiting scientific rigor and creating some gaps in knowledge. The interaction among PDAs and their cumulative effect on various project performance outcomes/metrics have not been studied, limiting the validity of the existing studies. Scope exists to apply a combination of non-linear, dynamic, probabilistic, explicit, and implicit modeling as well as inductive and deductive approaches to research in this area. Research limitations/implications Existing research findings have limited application in practice. Non-linear, dynamic, probabilistic, deductive, and inductive research techniques and approaches can substantially advance knowledge and lead to plausible findings that can be applied in practice. Originality/value Considering the critical role of PDAs in the successful delivery of GBs, the review provides clear directions for future research. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:30Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-11-2016-0066
Pages: 490 - 505 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 490-505, November 2017. Purpose Given the current focus on sustainable development, there is a need to identify the current status of the transport sector in developing countries and the obstacles to the development of a sustainable transport system. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review on what needs to be done in such countries towards a sustainable transportation system. The focus of the paper will be on the South Asian context. In order to achieve the aim, the paper examines the current issues, the policy context and the key actions required in the countries selected in South Asia (i.e. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal). Design/methodology/approach The main method used for the project was a combination of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. In addition, a policy analysis was also carried out with a use of secondary data. Altogether, 348 interviews and 16 focus groups (with 157 participants) were carried out in the selected six countries. Although the purpose of the research methods was to carry out a situational analysis of each country mentioned above on seven societal challenges identified under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme, this paper only focusses on presenting the findings relating to sustainable transport. Findings Findings reveal that South Asian countries need to improve different aspects of their transportation sector, starting from national-level transportation policies. Sustainable transportation is not merely about mobility but also about creating safer, convenient and environmentally friendly transportation systems. Some key actions needed for these include introducing driver and passenger safety regulations, establishing vehicle emissions test centres to reduce CO2 emissions, and introducing public-private partnerships where useful. Originality/value This study provides a robust policy direction towards the introduction/improvement of a sustainable transportation system in South Asian countries. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:32Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-10-2016-0051
Pages: 506 - 517 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 506-517, November 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a systemic approach to evaluate physical condition of water pipeline infrastructure with limited condition assessment data that can help asset managers prioritize capital investments in maintenance projects for urban water pipeline systems. Design/methodology/approach Spatial pattern analyses are conducted in this research to find the spatial pattern of the service life of pipelines. Based on the spatial relationship, the critical areas where groups of pipelines with short service life are likely to be found were located using spatial statistical analyses. A visualized platform was also developed and used to validate the implementation of the proposed approach with the case study of urban water pipeline infrastructure in a city in the Midwest region of the USA. Findings The results of the spatial pattern analyses reveal that water pipelines are spatially clustered based on their service life. Further, it was found that on average the pipelines in the center of a city have longer service life while the average expected service life of the pipelines in the marginal areas is shorter. The interpolation method produced raster data with continuous information about the service years of pipelines that are useful for asset maintenance planning. Originality/value With the limited data, the proposed approach enables identification of the critical area of water pipelines with the likelihood of shorter service life. This result can be used as a priority rule for a rehabilitation plan and contributes to shifting from a responsive to a preventive approach in underground asset management. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:13Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-01-2017-0005
Pages: 518 - 533 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 518-533, November 2017. Purpose Increasing demand for the best value for client’s money necessitates waste reduction while enhancing the project functionality in construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to propose Lean integrated Value Engineering (LiVE) approach by establishing the synergy between Lean and Value Engineering (VE) concepts for construction industry. Design/methodology/approach A literature survey and in-depth un-structured interviews with six subject matter experts in three steps were used to investigate the synergy between Lean principles and VE job plan to develop LiVE approach for the construction industry. The gathered data were analysed using code-based content analysis and the LiVE approach was finally validated using interviews by two additional subject matter experts representing industry and academia. Findings Research findings established that there is a synergy between Lean principles and VE job plan. Accordingly, the study developed a LiVE approach, which specify client’s value, identify the value stream, make value flow without interruption, let the client pull functional requirements and pursue perfection during “value establishment”, “value analysis of functional requirements”, “value creativity”, “value evaluation”, “value development”, “value verification” and “value achievement” phases. Originality/value The novel LiVE approach will guide construction industry practitioners on how to integrate Lean concept with VE in order to reduce unnecessary costs and wastes, to enhance project functionality and ultimately to achieve value for client’s money. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:19Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-11-2016-0071
Pages: 534 - 545 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 534-545, November 2017. Purpose Simulation techniques for cost management are useful for modeling uncertainties, making decisions, and improving the accuracy of cost estimation. Despite their usefulness, the application of these techniques in construction projects seems to be uncommon in the construction sector in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to determine the application of simulation techniques for cost estimation and control and to assess their influence on project cost performance. Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 83 government agencies, consultant firms, and contractor firms in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Findings The findings revealed that knowledge of respondents and usage of cost simulation techniques in the Malaysian construction industry is low. In addition, main barriers of implementing cost simulation techniques are identified. Cost performance of construction projects in Malaysia is satisfactory; however, there is no association between this performance and the application of simulation techniques. Originality/value This paper contributes to construction management field by highlighting the main simulation techniques for cost management and drawing the attention of construction professionals and contractors to implement these techniques in construction projects. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:16Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-11-2016-0058
Pages: 546 - 556 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Volume 7, Issue 5, Page 546-556, November 2017. Purpose There is lack of literature on the evaluation of PPP projects performance based on critical success factors (CSFs). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate and establish which of the CSFs are good predictor of PPP projects performance in terms of success criteria. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was developed based on PPP performance indicators and CSFs identified through a rigorous literature review. It was administrated among experts in PPP from the UK and the UAE. The respondents were selected purely on their work experience in PPP projects. The sites for collecting data were selected based on the similarity of the procurement methods between the two countries. The data were initially analysed using descriptive statics to identify the association between CSFs and PPP performance indicators. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine which of the CSFs were significant predictor of PPP projects performance. Findings The results demonstrated that “project technical feasibility, social support and local financial market assessment” contribute significantly to time performance. Detailed cost/benefits assessment contributed significantly to the cost, time and quality performance. Appropriate risk allocation and multi-benefit objectives of all stakeholders were found to be significant predictors of the service performance. CSFs “social support and detailed cost/benefits assessment” contribute positively to profit and variation performances. CSFs “profit and transparent procurement” are negatively associated with the variation performance. Cost and quality were the least performance criteria that could be predicted by the factors associated with this study. Practical implications The findings are expected to benefit the upper management of local governments and stakeholders to make informed decisions by understanding the link between the CSFs and the generic performance success measures at the onset of the of PPP project. Originality/value This study expands the existing literature by using the CSFs to predict the performance success of PPP projects. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2017-11-13T12:37:33Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-05-2017-0031
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