(ENGM123) - Project Research Plan

ENGM123 PROJECT/DISSERTATION
PROJECT RESEARCH PLAN
The Impacts of Green Engineering Solution on Emission
Reduction Caused by the Construction Management in the UK.
PIRAPAKAR SINTHUJAN
STUDENT ID - 229472103
Word count – 1414 words
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Title
The Impacts of Green Engineering Solutions on Emission Reduction Caused by the
construction management in the UK.
How this research aligns with my course requirements
"The project theme, 'Impacts of Green Engineering Solutions on Emission Reductions in UK
construction management,' aligns with my MSc in Project Management. This program
emphasizes sustainable project practices and environmental impact assessment, are directly
relevant to my research. My academic background in risk management, project planning, and
stakeholder management provides a strong foundation for analyzing results and conducting
this research."
Research Scope and Limitations
The study aims to explore how green building materials, renewable energy sources, and
sustainable construction techniques can mitigate emissions in UK construction management.
It seeks to investigate the implementation and impact of environmentally friendly technical
solutions in the building sector, specifically focusing on emission reduction. However, the
study acknowledges certain limitations. Obtaining comprehensive and representative data
might be challenging due to the scarcity of project-specific emission data. The level of
collaboration and stakeholder participation could also influence data quality. Time
constraints, ethical considerations, and financial limitations may further impact the extent of
the research conducted.
Research purpose or aim.
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the potential of green technologies in
aiding the building sector in reducing emissions and minimizing waste. The construction
industry has experienced significant transformations due to the adoption of innovative
technologies, with Building Information Modeling (BIM) being a notable example. This
research focuses on examining how these new technologies, including BIM, have profoundly
influenced the construction industry, leading to the implementation of novel approaches for
ensuring safety and waste reduction. The study aims to delve into the impact and implications
of BIM and other emerging technologies specifically within the construction domain. By
analyzing their role in facilitating sustainable practices, the research seeks to shed light on the
effectiveness and significance of these technologies in promoting environmentally friendly
construction processes. Furthermore, the study aims to explore the broader implications of
these technologies on the building sector's overall environmental footprint and sustainability
efforts.
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Research questions
1. How does the implementation of green technology aid in the development of business and
residual areas?
a) What’s the impact of green technology adoption on carbon emission levels within the
construction industry?
b) What are the key drivers for wastage management in the construction industry and how
does green technology assist in addressing them?
2. Which construction trends technologies had used to minimize wastage and emissions of
carbon?
a) How do green engineering solutions contribute to waste reduction and carbon
emission mitigation in the construction industry?
b) What role does a BIM-based planning and estimation system play in minimizing
waste and carbon emissions?
3. In what ways does the implementation of BIM and IoT lead to cost reduction in
construction projects?
a) What are the applications and benefits of IoT in the construction industry?
b) How does IoT assist waste management and carbon emission reduction in
construction processes?
Research objectives
1. Evaluate the specific impacts of green technology utilization on carbon emission
reduction in commercial and residential development projects, quantifying the
measurable reductions achieved.
2. Identify and analyze the building technologies that have proven successful in
decreasing waste generation and carbon emissions within the construction industry,
assessing their effectiveness and relevance.
3. Examine the cost-saving potential of integrating Building Information Modeling
(BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in construction projects, evaluating their
impact on project costs and identifying opportunities for cost reduction.
4. Assess the economic feasibility and practicality of adopting green technology in
commercial and residential development, considering factors such as initial
investment costs, long-term savings, and return on investment.
5. Develop comprehensive strategies and guidelines for maximizing the benefits of
green technology, providing actionable recommendations for reducing carbon
emissions, minimizing wastage, and optimizing cost-efficiency in construction
projects.
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Research Methodology
The research will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative
data collection techniques. A literature review will be conducted to establish a theoretical
foundation. Interviews will be conducted with industry experts, project managers, and
stakeholders to gather qualitative insights on the utilization of green technology and its
impacts on carbon emission reduction and waste management. Site visits will be conducted to
observe and document the implementation of building technologies aimed at decreasing
waste generation and carbon emissions. Surveys/questionnaires may also be distributed to
gather quantitative data from a larger sample, providing statistical analysis and insights. The
collected data will be analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative data and statistical
analysis for quantitative data. This methodology allows for a comprehensive understanding of
the research topic by combining theoretical insights, expert opinions, on-site observations,
and quantitative measurements.
Evidence of initial literature review and Rationale for Research Initial
literature review
The negative environmental impacts associated with the construction sector have become a
pressing concern globally, prompting the need for sustainable practices. The construction
industry is known to consume significant amounts of natural and artificial resources while
being a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (Ip, K. and Miller, A. 2012). It is
widely acknowledged that the sector has a significant carbon footprint that conflicts with the
goals set by the Sustainable Development Goals (Shah, S., Naghi Ganji, E. and Coutroubis,
A. 2017). The energy-intensive and resource-dependent nature of traditional construction
practices, coupled with the generation of substantial waste throughout the lifecycle of
buildings, poses challenges to achieving sustainability objectives. The construction industry
experiences continuous growth, with numerous development projects being undertaken by
the government and private sectors annually, including residential and commercial buildings
and infrastructure projects (Morris, R.L. et al. 2018).
The management of building and demolition waste has emerged as a critical issue due to the
increased number of construction projects, necessitating proper disposal and reduction
strategies (Xuan, D., Ma, X. and Shang, Y. 2020). Upgrades and retrofits often involve
significant demolition, resulting in large quantities of waste that require appropriate handling
and disposal. In the UK, limited tools and models have been developed by researchers to
address the reduction and elimination of construction and demolition waste (Tan, X. et al.
2019). The UK government recognizes the importance of managing C&D waste to mitigate
its adverse environmental effects (Yu, P. et al. 2022). This research aims to identify the
technologies employed in the construction industry to minimize wastage and carbon
emissions. Furthermore, it seeks to explore how Building Information Modeling (BIM) and
the Internet of Things (IoT) contribute to cost reduction in construction projects (Zhong, Z.,
Zhang, X. and Yang, X. 2021). By leveraging these technologies, the construction industry
can effectively manage waste, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance cost efficiency
(Farahzadi, L. and Kioumarsi, M. (2023).
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