Sustainability as a Critical Factor in International Construction

International Construction 1
Sustainability as a Critical Factor in International Construction
Assignment Proposal
By:
Class:
Course:
Professor (Tutor):
The Name of the School (University)
City and State:
Date: 2018

International Construction 2
Executive Summary
The construction industry is becoming increasingly competitive in the world and has started to
assume great importance in recent years. This paper seeks to discuss how construction has
increased in the world and further elaborate how many countries have started to adopt
sustainable construction. In addition, the paper seeks to address the green approach in
construction, sustainable challenges, direct impact of international construction, multi criteria
solution. The green approach is one of the most significant opportunities that can be used to
facilitate sustainable development in construction. The green approach reduces energy use at
every stage of construction. The sustainable challenges that are experienced in sustainable
construction include costs and maintaining a balance between economic performance and the
environmental performance. The multiple criteria solution which focuses on enhancing best
practices in the construction sector is also discussed. Construction also causes direct and indirect
impact to the society. Migration, involuntary settlement and urbanization are among the impacts
of construction on the society. As much as sustainable construction is considered a channel to
foster environmental protection, measures should be taken to reduce negative effects of
construction. Stakeholders in the construction industry should promote green approach in
construction, minimize negative impacts of construction and raise awareness on sustainable
construction.

International Construction 3
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
International Construction...............................................................................................................4
Sustainability in construction.......................................................................................................5
Green Approach in Construction..................................................................................................7
Sustainability challenges............................................................................................................10
Multiple criteria solution............................................................................................................12
Direct and indirect impacts of international construction on society.........................................12
Conclusion and recommendation..................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................16

International Construction 4
Introduction and Background Information
International construction has started to assume great importance in recent years. There
are more indications that this trend will progress. The competitions for international projects
have become intense and the global marketplace has flooded due to the development of expertise
and capability of firms from numerous emerging countries (Abidin, 2010 p.77). The emerging
firms can now export their services and compete effectively with other established firms. For
success in international construction projects, the firms are required to address factors such as
technical expertise, managerial expertise, management of cultural issues and risk management.
Technical expertise involves the integration of new and complex technologies, strategic
and innovative information application and finding solutions to rare problems. Bainbridge (2014
p.45) notes that managerial expertise is another factor to be addressed that involves programming
and control of projects, inputs and logistic procurement and human resource management. The
need to avail financial packages of projects is one of the financial resources and expertise. Risk
management involves access to insurance at reasonable rates and experience in anticipating and
dealing with risks.
International Construction
A drastic investment in sustainable development has been seen in the construction
industry. It has been recognized that human being is experiencing numerous challenges in areas
such as depletion of resources, degradation of the environment and climate change. Seemingly,
the construction industry is responsible for the increase in these challenges because it utilizes
energy, raw materials and water. Presently, the construction industry is among one of the largest
energy consumers. It utilizes 40 to 50 per cent of global energy and 40 per cent of global raw
materials (United Nations Environment Program, 2011 p.47). A better approach is required to
continue transforming a truly sustainable built environment. Innovative building design and
materials, as well as improved comprehensive construction methods, play a crucial role in
enabling the advancement of a sustainable environment.