Technology adoption in the BIM implementation for lean architectural practice

Justification for Research: the construction companies are facing barriers and challenges in BIM adoption as there is no clear guidance or best practice studies from which they can learn and build up their capacity for BIM use in order to increase productivity, efficiency, quality, and to attain competitive advantages in the global market and to achieve the targets in environmental sustainability. Purpose: this paper aims to explain a comprehensive and systemic evaluation and assessment of the relevant BIM technologies as part of the BIM adoption and implementation to demonstrate how efficiency gains have been achieved towards a lean architectural practice. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research is undertaken through a KTP (Knowledge transfer Partnership) project between the University of Salford and the John McCall Architects based in Liverpool, which is an SME (Small Medium Enterprise). The overall aim of KTP is to develop Lean Design Practice through the BIM adoption and implementation. The overall BIM implementation approach uses a socio-technical view in which it does not only consider the implementation of technology but also considers the socio-cultural environment that provides the context for its implementation. The technology adoption methodology within the BIM implementation approach is the action research oriented qualitative and quantitative research for discovery, comparison, and experimentation as the KTP project with JMA provides an environment for “learning by doing” Findings: research has proved that BIM technology adoption should be undertaken with a bottom-up approach rather than top-down approach for successful change management and dealing with the resistance to change. As a result of the BIM technology adoption, efficiency gains are achieved through the piloting projects and the design process is improved through the elimination of wastes and value generation. Originality/Value: successful BIM adoption needs an implementation strategy. However, at operational level, it is imperative that professional guidelines are required as part of the implementation strategy. This paper introduces a systematic approach for BIM technology adoption based on a case study implementation and it demonstrates a guideline at operational level for other SME companies of architectural practices

Network maps of student work with physics, other sciences, and math in an integrated science course

In 2004 Denmark introduced a compulsory integrated science course the most popular upper secondary study program. One of the nation-wide course aims are for students to "achieve knowledge about some of the central scientific issues and their social, ethical, and historical perspectives". This is to be done via collaboration between the subjects, and often involves physics and another scientific subject. The official teaching plans further state that mathematics must be used for analysing data. We use network analysis to study six different implementations of the course in terms of the structure of different kinds of teaching/learning activities. By creating networks maps of each lesson, we show that teaching/learning activities in the course seldom tends to address how sciences can work together to solve a problem, but rather stages each natural science as a distinct and separate activity with a distinct identity.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, based on poster presented at PERC 2017 (http://www.compadre.org/per/conferences/2017/

How Dutch Institutions Enhance the Adaptive Capacity of Society

This report examines the adaptive capacity of the institutional framework of the Netherlands to cope with the impacts of climate change. Historically, institutions have evolved incrementally to deal with existing social problems. They provide norms and rules for collective action and create continuity rather than change. However, the nature of societal problems is changing as a result of the processes of globalization and development. With the progress made in the natural sciences, we are able to predict in advance, to a certain extent, the potential environmental impacts of various human actions on society, for example, climate change. This raises some key questions: Are our institutions capable of dealing with this new knowledge about future impacts and, more importantly, with the impacts themselves? Are our institutions capable of dealing with the inherent uncertainty of the predictions

The role of public policy in stimulating radical environmental impact reduction in the automotive sector: The need to focus on product-service system innovation

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 InderscienceProduct-service system (PSS) innovation is a promising approach to address sustainability challenges in the automotive industry. Starting form this assumption, this paper presents and discusses the potential contribution that policy measures can have in fostering the automotive sector in innovating on a PSS level. A set of policy instruments (general instruments and specific PSS-targeted ones) are presented and classified, underlining the effects they could produce at the company and environmental levels. In order to effectively support sustainable PSS diffusion in the automotive industry, the paper suggests the integration of general policy measures (such as internalisation of external costs, extended producer responsibility programmes and informative policies), with the PSS-targeted ones (such as Green Public Procurement focused on sustainable PSS, support of companies in acquiring information related to PSS, support of demonstrative pilot projects). In addition, the paper suggests the necessity to involve actively universities and research centres

FROM URBAN LIVING LAB TO URBAN TRANSFORMATION

openQuesta ricerca approfondisce la crescente rilevanza globale del passaggio verso la sostenibilità nelle città, sottolineando le sfide con cui le amministrazioni locali si confrontano. Prendendo spunto dall'esperienza dell'autore in progetti finanziati dall'UE, lo studio si concentra sul Comune di Maia, con l'obiettivo di chiarire gli ostacoli e le strategie essenziali per raggiungere la sostenibilità urbana. Esamina l'iniziativa BaZe-Maia Living Lab, volta alla decarbonizzazione, mettendo in evidenza le complessità nell'attuare soluzioni ispirate ai living lab, soprattutto in considerazione di sfide come l'epidemia di COVID-19. Inoltre, l'alleanza di Maia con il consorzio SPARCS e la creazione del Piano d'Azione per l'Energia Sostenibile (SEAP) evidenziano i loro passi collettivi per modificare le abitudini urbane, aumentare l'efficienza energetica e ridurre al minimo gli sprechi. Questa esplorazione cerca di identificare gli elementi centrali che guidano tali sforzi, mettendo in luce gli ostacoli e suggerendo soluzioni. L'obiettivo principale è rafforzare la diffusione della conoscenza e integrare pratiche sostenibili innovative nel percorso di pianificazione urbana di Maia. La metodologia dello studio si basa su tecniche qualitative come interviste, analisi documentale e l'utilizzo del modello Morgenstadt per valutare le iniziative verdi di Maia, confrontandole con Lipsia. Un'analisi tematica dei documenti del progetto e delle opinioni degli stakeholder indica l'approccio proattivo di Maia alla co-progettazione, al coinvolgimento degli stakeholder, agli esperimenti e all'integrazione degli aspetti legati alla sostenibilità. Tuttavia, emergono difficoltà nell'avviare attività di co-progettazione e nel raggiungere gli obiettivi verdi strutturali. Un'analisi comparativa con Lipsia offre spunti illuminanti riguardo alla cooperazione completa, alla flessibilità, alle strategie finanziarie e alle visioni lungimiranti benefiche per Maia. Le principali raccomandazioni includono l'adozione di regolamenti completi, l'ampliamento dell'interazione degli stakeholder, il potenziamento delle capacità organizzative, il sfruttamento di collaborazioni esterne e risorse, l'istituzione di solide infrastrutture dati e la promozione delle innovazioni tecnologiche. Tuttavia, le difficoltà persistenti derivano dalla compartimentazione dei dipartimenti, dal coinvolgimento limitato e dalla visione della sostenibilità limitata all'ambito digitale. Questa indagine offre una comprensione più approfondita degli elementi diversificati che guidano i cambiamenti urbani verdi e fornisce una guida per superare gli ostacoli nella diffusione dei living lab. Ulteriori studi mirati potrebbero colmare le lacune osservate riguardo alle realizzazioni della co-progettazione e alle ristrutturazioni edilizie. La ricerca chiarisce l'intricato intreccio negli sforzi urbani verdi, sottolineando l'importanza di approcci unificati, coinvolgimento inclusivo degli stakeholder e rafforzamento delle capacità per indurre cambiamenti su vasta scala.This research delves into the escalating global relevance of transitioning towards sustainability in cities, underscoring the hurdles local administrations grapple with. Drawing from the author's involvement in projects funded by the EU, the study centers on the Municipality of Maia, aiming to clarify the obstacles and essential strategies for achieving urban sustainability. It examines the BaZe-Maia Living Lab initiative, which aims for decarbonization, highlighting the intricacies of enacting living lab-inspired solutions, especially given challenges like the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, Maia's alliance with the SPARCS consortium and the crafting of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) underscore their collective steps to modify urban habits, boost energy thriftiness, and minimize waste. This exploration seeks to identify the central elements guiding such endeavors, spotlighting impediments and suggesting solutions. The overarching goal is to fortify the dissemination of knowledge and weave groundbreaking sustainable practices into Maia's urban planning path. The methodology of the study hinges on qualitative techniques such as interviews, scrutinizing documents, and using the Morgenstadt blueprint to evaluate Maia's green undertakings, contrasting them with Leipzig. A thematic breakdown of project paperwork and the views of stakeholders indicates Maia's proactive approach to co-design, stakeholder involvement, trials, and integrating sustainability aspects. However, hitches emerge when initiating co-design activities and meeting structural green targets. A side-by-side analysis with Leipzig offers enlightening takeaways about all-encompassing cooperation, flexibility, financial strategies, and forward-thinking visions beneficial for Maia. Principal suggestions encompass the rollout of all-inclusive regulations, amplifying stakeholder interaction, fortifying organizational capabilities, capitalizing on outside collaborations and resources, instituting sturdy data infrastructures, and championing tech advancements. Yet, enduring difficulties arise from departmental silos, limited involvement, and viewing sustainability solely through a digital lens. This investigation offers a deeper understanding of the diverse elements steering green urban shifts and furnishes a blueprint to navigate roadblocks in living lab rollouts. More pinpointed studies might bridge observed voids concerning co-design realizations and building overhauls. The research clarifies the intricate interplay in urban green endeavors, emphasizing the value of unified approaches, inclusive stakeholder involvement, and strengthening capabilities to induce broad-based alterations

BIM adoption and implementation for architectural practices

Severe issues about data acquisition and management arise during the design creation and development due to complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. BIM (Building Information Modelling) is a tool for a team based lean design approach towards improved architectural practice across the supply chain. However, moving from a CAD (Computer Aided Design) approach to BIM (Building Information Modelling) represents a fundamental change for individual disciplines and the construction industry as a whole. Although BIM has been implemented by large practices, it is not widely used by SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises). Purpose: This paper aims to present a systematic approach for BIM implementation for Architectural SMEs at the organizational level Design/Methodology/Approach: The research is undertaken through a KTP (Knowledge transfer Partnership) project between the University of Salford and John McCall Architects (JMA) a SME based in Liverpool. The overall aim of the KTP is to develop lean design practice through BIM adoption. The BIM implementation approach uses a socio-technical view which does not only consider the implementation of technology but also considers the socio-cultural environment that provides the context for its implementation. The action research oriented qualitative and quantitative research is used for discovery, comparison, and experimentation as it provides �learning by doing�. Findings: The strategic approach to BIM adoption incorporated people, process and technology equally and led to capacity building through the improvements in process, technological infrastructure and upskilling of JMA staff to attain efficiency gains and competitive advantages. Originality/Value: This paper introduces a systematic approach for BIM adoption based on the action research philosophy and demonstrates a roadmap for BIM adoption at the operational level for SME companie

Sustainable consumption: towards action and impact. : International scientific conference November 6th-8th 2011, Hamburg - European Green Capital 2011, Germany: abstract volume

This volume contains the abstracts of all oral and poster presentations of the international scientific conference „Sustainable Consumption – Towards Action and Impact“ held in Hamburg (Germany) on November 6th-8th 2011. This unique conference aims to promote a comprehensive academic discourse on issues concerning sustainable consumption and brings together scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines. In modern societies, private consumption is a multifaceted and ambivalent phenomenon: it is a ubiquitous social practice and an economic driving force, yet at the same time, its consequences are in conflict with important social and environmental sustainability goals. Finding paths towards “sustainable consumption” has therefore become a major political issue. In order to properly understand the challenge of “sustainable consumption”, identify unsustainable patterns of consumption and bring forward the necessary innovations, a collaborative effort of researchers from different disciplines is needed