Wellington Didibhuku Thwala – författare

This book will provide readers with an in-depth theoretical awareness and practical guidance on the implementation of an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure construction projects meet approved quality, cost, time and social sustainability objectives.

The authors discuss the drivers, challenges, determinants and benefits of effective M&E implementation together with the theories and models underpinning construction project M&E practices. Further, a comparative overview of M&E practices in developed and developing countries is presented to elucidate the best practices. The book first conceptualizes M&E as a five-factor model comprising stakeholder involvement, budgetary allocation and logistics, technical capacity and training, leadership, and communication. It then presents an M&E case study on the Ghanaian construction industry before expanding on the idea of M&E systems as an effective tool for project performance and in optimizing a project’s contribution to society and the environment.

The book further provides guidance on M&E practice for construction project managers, investors, professionals, researchers and other stakeholders and is therefore of interest to those in architecture, construction engineering, planning, project management and development studies.

This book will provide readers with an in-depth theoretical awareness and practical guidance on the implementation of an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure construction projects meet approved quality, cost, time and social sustainability objectives.

The authors discuss the drivers, challenges, determinants and benefits of effective M&E implementation together with the theories and models underpinning construction project M&E practices. Further, a comparative overview of M&E practices in developed and developing countries is presented to elucidate the best practices. The book first conceptualizes M&E as a five-factor model comprising stakeholder involvement, budgetary allocation and logistics, technical capacity and training, leadership, and communication. It then presents an M&E case study on the Ghanaian construction industry before expanding on the idea of M&E systems as an effective tool for project performance and in optimizing a project’s contribution to society and the environment.

The book further provides guidance on M&E practice for construction project managers, investors, professionals, researchers and other stakeholders and is therefore of interest to those in architecture, construction engineering, planning, project management and development studies.

This book provides readers with an understanding of various concepts, benefits, and practices that the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technolo>gies can bring when working towards sustainable construction goals. As digitalization continues to advance rapidly, the pressures on stakeholders in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industry to revamp and restructure their activities and outputs become increasingly prev>alent. This research book explains the importance of various digital tools and principles to achieve sustainable construction projects. It adopts various stand>ards and concepts to highlight how 4IR technologies could assist and accelerate construction sustainability. It is the first book to link construction management with various digital tools to enhance construction projects’ sustainability. It also provides an in-depth insight into the concept of sustainable construction 4.0 across both developing and developed countries for construction professionals, sustainability experts, researchers, educators, and other stakeholders.The book can be adopted as a research guide, framework, and reference on sustainable construction, the concept of sustainable projects, digitalization in the construction industry, and the 4IR.

This book provides readers with an understanding of various concepts, benefits, and practices that the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technolo>gies can bring when working towards sustainable construction goals. As digitalization continues to advance rapidly, the pressures on stakeholders in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industry to revamp and restructure their activities and outputs become increasingly prev>alent. This research book explains the importance of various digital tools and principles to achieve sustainable construction projects. It adopts various stand>ards and concepts to highlight how 4IR technologies could assist and accelerate construction sustainability. It is the first book to link construction management with various digital tools to enhance construction projects’ sustainability. It also provides an in-depth insight into the concept of sustainable construction 4.0 across both developing and developed countries for construction professionals, sustainability experts, researchers, educators, and other stakeholders.The book can be adopted as a research guide, framework, and reference on sustainable construction, the concept of sustainable projects, digitalization in the construction industry, and the 4IR.

This book examines an issue of constant concern in the construction industry, that of productivity. Using data from Ghana and South Africa, it presents research into the productivity of local contractors in these countries whilst examining the predominance of labour-intensive production methods.

The book begins by considering the theoretical and conceptual perspectives on labour productivity in the construction industry in the existing literature, before reviewing current productivity measurement frameworks. The book then explores the productivity of labour-intensive public works projects in South Africa and Ghana alongside a general discussion of key factors affecting construction productivity in these countries. Whilst the focus is on road construction, the framework developed can be applied to any number of construction projects to measure, and ultimately improve productivity.

This book is useful reading for researchers and practitioners looking to understand the factors influencing labour productivity in construction at both the industry and the project level, including construction managers, quantity surveyors, cost engineers and project managers.

This book examines an issue of constant concern in the construction industry, that of productivity. Using data from Ghana and South Africa, it presents research into the productivity of local contractors in these countries whilst examining the predominance of labour-intensive production methods.

The book begins by considering the theoretical and conceptual perspectives on labour productivity in the construction industry in the existing literature, before reviewing current productivity measurement frameworks. The book then explores the productivity of labour-intensive public works projects in South Africa and Ghana alongside a general discussion of key factors affecting construction productivity in these countries. Whilst the focus is on road construction, the framework developed can be applied to any number of construction projects to measure, and ultimately improve productivity.

This book is useful reading for researchers and practitioners looking to understand the factors influencing labour productivity in construction at both the industry and the project level, including construction managers, quantity surveyors, cost engineers and project managers.

This book explores the attributes of an integrated model for infrastructure delivery as a means to achieve high impact investing, sustainable growth and development in a developing economy.

An Integrated Infrastructure Delivery Model for Developing Economies: Planning and Delivery Management Attributes is premised on the understanding that one of the most significant barriers to efficient and effective infrastructure delivery is the nature and extent of fragmentation in the ways in which infrastructure projects are planned, designed, and delivered. Using a Delphi method, the research presented in this book examines the infrastructure delivery models and practices that have been employed in South Africa and other developing countries, and in doing so presents eight attributes for integrated infrastructure delivery. These are: (i) developing a common vision for the community, (ii) stakeholder participation, (iii) integrated project development and scoping, (iv) access to planning information, (v) cross-sectoral planning, (vi) integrated infrastructure master plans, (vii) statutory and regulatory compliance and (viii) integrated contractual frameworks. The book presents a practical model that can serve as a guide and a manual for project planning and development to achieve integrated infrastructure delivery in developing economies. The proposed model should serve as a framework to inform future planning and programming of infrastructure projects within the public sector space. Furthermore, the application of the model will help resolve the problems of fragmentation and lack of coordination in how infrastructure projects are planned and implemented.

This book will be beneficial to infrastructure practitioners, policymakers, researchers and academics who pursue best practice models to improve the delivery and management of infrastructure.

This book explores the attributes of an integrated model for infrastructure delivery as a means to achieve high impact investing, sustainable growth and development in a developing economy.

An Integrated Infrastructure Delivery Model for Developing Economies: Planning and Delivery Management Attributes is premised on the understanding that one of the most significant barriers to efficient and effective infrastructure delivery is the nature and extent of fragmentation in the ways in which infrastructure projects are planned, designed, and delivered. Using a Delphi method, the research presented in this book examines the infrastructure delivery models and practices that have been employed in South Africa and other developing countries, and in doing so presents eight attributes for integrated infrastructure delivery. These are: (i) developing a common vision for the community, (ii) stakeholder participation, (iii) integrated project development and scoping, (iv) access to planning information, (v) cross-sectoral planning, (vi) integrated infrastructure master plans, (vii) statutory and regulatory compliance and (viii) integrated contractual frameworks. The book presents a practical model that can serve as a guide and a manual for project planning and development to achieve integrated infrastructure delivery in developing economies. The proposed model should serve as a framework to inform future planning and programming of infrastructure projects within the public sector space. Furthermore, the application of the model will help resolve the problems of fragmentation and lack of coordination in how infrastructure projects are planned and implemented.

This book will be beneficial to infrastructure practitioners, policymakers, researchers and academics who pursue best practice models to improve the delivery and management of infrastructure.

A Practical Research Process for Developing a Sustainable Built Environment in Emerging Economies aims to fill the dearth of practical research guidance and reference material with specific focus on the built environment in developing countries. Global policy agendas such as Agenda 2030 (the SDGs) highlight the importance and growth of research and knowledge from emerging nations who are increasingly contributing to research that is critical for development and advancement. The role of built environment practitioners will continue to evolve by building on the sound foundations laid down by the professions and by exploiting to the full the new technologies available to us through conducting innovative research, but more guidance on the research process is necessary to ensure the integrity and quality of the output.

This book has been structured so that each chapter is largely free-standing, allowing the reader (undergraduate, postgraduate, or practitioner) to reference the material with ease. It aims to provide practical guidance on conducting research and on writing a dissertation or report and begins by considering the general research background in a built environment context. It then covers research ethics, before moving on to discuss the importance of selecting the right research topic and title and writing a clear abstract. The chapters then cover introducing a research project, and the authors include a section on the problem statement, research questions, aims and objectives, research gap(s), and motivations for the study. The book goes on to cover the literature review section, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, the various types of methodological approaches, and when to apply them. The findings section, discussion of the results, and the study’s implications are then discussed, before the final chapters cover the conclusion and recommendations.

The book provides a useful reference for higher education students, graduates, postgraduates, and practitioners engaged in all aspects of construction and built environment research.

A Practical Research Process for Developing a Sustainable Built Environment in Emerging Economies aims to fill the dearth of practical research guidance and reference material with specific focus on the built environment in developing countries. Global policy agendas such as Agenda 2030 (the SDGs) highlight the importance and growth of research and knowledge from emerging nations who are increasingly contributing to research that is critical for development and advancement. The role of built environment practitioners will continue to evolve by building on the sound foundations laid down by the professions and by exploiting to the full the new technologies available to us through conducting innovative research, but more guidance on the research process is necessary to ensure the integrity and quality of the output.

This book has been structured so that each chapter is largely free-standing, allowing the reader (undergraduate, postgraduate, or practitioner) to reference the material with ease. It aims to provide practical guidance on conducting research and on writing a dissertation or report and begins by considering the general research background in a built environment context. It then covers research ethics, before moving on to discuss the importance of selecting the right research topic and title and writing a clear abstract. The chapters then cover introducing a research project, and the authors include a section on the problem statement, research questions, aims and objectives, research gap(s), and motivations for the study. The book goes on to cover the literature review section, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, the various types of methodological approaches, and when to apply them. The findings section, discussion of the results, and the study’s implications are then discussed, before the final chapters cover the conclusion and recommendations.

The book provides a useful reference for higher education students, graduates, postgraduates, and practitioners engaged in all aspects of construction and built environment research.

This book delves into the pivotal issue of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management in municipal buildings within developing economies, addressing a pressing need in today’s digital age, where individuals spend over 70% of their time indoors. With a strong focus on enhancing environmental quality, this book presents theoretical frameworks and practical recommendations designed explicitly for stakeholders in the higher education sector, encompassing both public and private institutions.

As institutions strive to improve their learning environments, this book aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the vital connection between effective IAQ management and the health and well-being of the institutional community, including students and staff members. It provides a comprehensive framework that advocates for improved IAQ management and emphasises the importance of quality education and lifelong learning.

Furthermore, this book serves as a valuable resource for green building regulatory bodies, ensuring adherence to best practices in IAQ management within municipal buildings. By providing actionable strategies grounded on recent literature, the book is an essential guide for researchers and policymakers seeking to navigate the theoretical and empirical dimensions of IAQ management. Moreover, this book asserts that enhancing IAQ is necessary not only for regulatory compliance and community well-being but also as a vital investment in the academic and operational success of municipal buildings in developing economies.

This book delves into the pivotal issue of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management in municipal buildings within developing economies, addressing a pressing need in today’s digital age, where individuals spend over 70% of their time indoors. With a strong focus on enhancing environmental quality, this book presents theoretical frameworks and practical recommendations designed explicitly for stakeholders in the higher education sector, encompassing both public and private institutions.

As institutions strive to improve their learning environments, this book aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the vital connection between effective IAQ management and the health and well-being of the institutional community, including students and staff members. It provides a comprehensive framework that advocates for improved IAQ management and emphasises the importance of quality education and lifelong learning.

Furthermore, this book serves as a valuable resource for green building regulatory bodies, ensuring adherence to best practices in IAQ management within municipal buildings. By providing actionable strategies grounded on recent literature, the book is an essential guide for researchers and policymakers seeking to navigate the theoretical and empirical dimensions of IAQ management. Moreover, this book asserts that enhancing IAQ is necessary not only for regulatory compliance and community well-being but also as a vital investment in the academic and operational success of municipal buildings in developing economies.