Modular Construction for Future Cities: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Solutions

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Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................3
1.1. Background Information............................................................................................................................................3
1.2. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Research Rationale....................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4. Aims and Objectives..................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.4.1 Aim............................................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.4.2. Objectives................................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.5. Limitations of the Research......................................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................................................8
2.1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.2. Overview of Modular Construction.......................................................................................................................8
2.3. Advantages of Modular Construction................................................................................................................11
2.3.1. Environmentally friendly...............................................................................................................................11
2.3.2. High Quality..........................................................................................................................................................12
2.3.3. Speed of Construction......................................................................................................................................12
2.3.4. Cost effective........................................................................................................................................................ 13
2.3.5. Acoustics................................................................................................................................................................ 14
2.4. Disadvantages of Modular Building Systems.................................................................................................14
2.4.1. Financial Constraints........................................................................................................................................14
2.4.2. Reduced value of the structure....................................................................................................................15
2.4.3. Lack of customization......................................................................................................................................15
2.4.4. Increased risk...................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.4.5. Increased cost......................................................................................................................................................16
2.5. Solutions to the Disadvantages and Limitations of Modular Construction Systems....................17
2.5.1. Monocoque technology modular construction.....................................................................................17
2.5.2. Hybrid modular construction.......................................................................................................................18
2.6. Market Trends and Future Developments of Modular Building Systems.........................................19
2.7. Summary........................................................................................................................................................................ 22
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................23
3.1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................. 23

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3.2. Research Methodology.............................................................................................................................................23
3.3. Research Methods and Data Sources.................................................................................................................24
3.4. Summary........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
References................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background Information
Due to the immense changes in the technology experienced in almost all the sectors in the world
today, it is least expected that the cities of the future will be comparable to the cities of today.
Extreme changes in the climate and weather are expected due to the increasing variability in the
climate and this is expected even with greater frequency and even the areas that have always
remained virtually silent are expected to respond. There will be introduced new materials and
process that will serve as gates to opportunities to design and configure structures of buildings to
tolerate these changes (Koones, 2013, p.135). This calls for the need to consider multiple and
carried aspects during planning, construction and building stages of operation. This is only
achievable and feasible in the future through a thorough interplay of architecture, urban
planning, structural engineering and building services. Modular building systems in one such
technique that tends to build these various aspects together to create a building that is not only
sustainable but also meets the functionality and aesthetic needs of the users of the spaces within
the structure.
1.2. Introduction
In the words of Roland Busch who is a member of the managing board of Siemens AG and the
CEO of the infrastructure and Cities Sector, the cities are the pivot of global development. It is
from the cities that the future of the human race takes shape, the point of springing of economic
growth from the numerous activities of the more than half of the population of the world. It is in
these very cities that most challenging environmental concerns are most evident.
The look, as well as the feel of the cities of the future, will be quite different from the one of
today due to the very rising need to improve the quality of life, the viability of the environment

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as well as the economic competitively that will serve to drive a new way of living (Kruger, 2012,
p.233). It is anticipated that the high-rise buildings that are currently in the cities and towns be
like small towns that have shops, workshops and home and even inclusive of farm and gardens
which will all be placed under one roof. The spaces around human beings will have high degrees
of flexibility and thus adjustable in a way that matches the needs of the occupants of the region.
The changes will happen in such a way that people will not own things and instead, they will
have to pay in order to use an item or space after which they give it back, hand it off or even
recycle it after using it.
The advancements in technology will enable people to live efficient lives with numerous people
working from homes, able to change between business and leisure, the real and the imaginary or
virtual. These new life systems will bring together the neighbors forming a vibrant and highly
dynamic community. Another important expected change will be experienced in buildings in
which the buildings will be expected to get smart. The buildings in the current cities of the work
are responsible for the major consumption of energy by a city as well as the greenhouse
emissions. Such buildings are thus a representative of a large potential for saving energy and thus
the key to sustainable developments in the cities (Lawson, 2014, p.238).
A building is anticipated to be self-sufficient, able to yield surplus energy, recycling their own
wastes collecting rainwater, minimizing the use of water and recycling or reusing gray water.
The buildings are as well expected to be fully intelligent and automated having numerous sensors
that will facilitate switching off and on of the lights. Rooms will only be optimally heated when
they are occupied and remain unheated in unoccupied states.

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The scarcity of resource as well as the changes in the human demographics are among the main
challenges that are experienced in the 21st century moving forward. There is thus the need to
address the fundamental questions on the character of future buildings, settlements, and
infrastructure so as to ensure readiness in facing the changes that will accompany the future
cities. Advance and far-sighted planning are integral when it comes to creating future cities
(Emmitt, 2014, p.314).
As a result of the ever-increasing concern towards an environmentally sustainable future
especially in the cities, the development in the 21st century will mainly be influenced by growth
and transformation that is experienced in the cities. It is estimated that to the tune of 3 billion
people will be living on the surface of the earth by the year 2050, all of whom will require a
place to refer to as home. 67% of the population of the world is expected to be living in the cities
by 2025. Similarly, there are extrapolations that there will be a 50% increase in the energy
demand by the same time within will translate to an increase in the levels of emissions of carbon
dioxide (Koones, 2013, p.330).
1.3. Research Rationale
Sustainability is a growing concern and is ever gaining national and internal attention and
interest. Emission of carbon dioxide among other greenhouse gases remains a serious challenge
in most of the cities around the globe and this is projected to continue even to the future cities.
As the human population increases, every day and more people migrating to the cities in search
of improved quality of life, the levels of emissions of carbon dioxide are found to increase
raising sustainability concerns.
Various sustainability approaches have been proposed to help contain the situation. Maybe the
use of modular building systems may be one of the best methods. Modular building systems

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involve constructions of building using modules, techniques that have been found to be
environmentally friendly and hence a significant player in meeting sustainability needs. Modular
building systems have numerous advantages that may see the future cities more sustainable and
tolerable to the rapidly changing technology (McGuerty, 2017, p.160).
1.4. Aims and Objectives
1.4.1 Aim
The aim of this study is to find out the advantages and benefits that accrue when modular
construction practices are adapted for cities
1.4.2. Objectives
The objectives of the study include:
 Doing an extensive study on modular building practices and systems that are used in
contemporary construction
 Investigating the impacts of modular building systems in the cities of the future
 Carrying out research on the technological changes that are expected of the future cities
 Investigating the contribution to the sustainability by modular building systems especially
in the future cities
1.5. Limitations of the Research
The scope of the research is one of the limitations of this study. While this research has a time
span for which it is to be submitted, the time provided is not long enough to allow very elaborate,
extensive and expansive study and production of academic paper of very large sizes as have been
produced by the previous experienced scholars. The scope and the depth of this discussion is thus
comprised in numerous levels so as to meet the various constraints among them time. Lack of
enough and elaborate information is yet another challenge with this study. Modular building

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systems is a technology or technique that has not been in the field for a long time and as such
there is not so much literature about the study. This limits the depth of identification of the scope
of the study.