Sustainability Assessment Methods for the Gulf Region

This paper describes the development of a sustainability assessment framework designed to be used in the Gulf Region, which is an area which has experienced large scale building development and also a region in which sustainability assessment is not yet widely used. The complexity and time resources needed to apply existing methods act as a deterrent to active use. Three well-known methods available at the time of the study were investigated in some detail. These were: BREEAM Gulf; Green Building Council LEED; and Estidama Pearl. Cross comparisons of the factors involved in each method were carried out on several levels including: theoretical comparison; practical development and usability; compliance with regulations and standards; and ability to achieve synchronization. A considerable degree of compatibility was found to exist between the methods, particularly if focused on key criteria. As a result a new and specific framework was developed which grouped 24 indicators under five principal headings: site/location, biodiversity and accessibility; energy; water; occupant well-being; and resources and wastes. This new framework was then evaluated by testing with practitioners resulting in confirmation of 20 out of the 24 indicators, and identification of suitable benchmarks

Trade in Energy Services - GATS and India

Energy plays a vital role in the development of any economy and given its unequal distribution trade in energy, especially fossil fuels, is an important component of international trade. In the past, due to its public good characteristics, energy-related services were mostly supplied by the government. With liberalization and globalization the sector underwent significant transformation. Many new services developed and large multinationals emerged which increased global trade in energy services. Energy services is now an important component of all trade agreements. In the above context, this paper examines Indias opportunities and constraints to trade in energy services within the GATS framework. The study found that India has the capability of exporting high-skilled manpower at competitive prices but is facing various market access, discriminatory and regulatory barriers in markets of export interest. With the entry of energy producing countries such as Saudi Arabia into the WTO, the Doha negotiations provide an important platform to offensively push for liberalization in this sector. India needs foreign investment, technical know-how and international best practices in energy. The country has progressively liberalized this sector and there are no major entry barriers. However, India has not been successful in attracting large foreign investment and technology. This is due to various domestic barriers which make it difficult to set up a competitive operation. The study lists the reform measures which will help the sector become globally competitive, protect the interests of consumers and meet the energy needs of society. Since this sector is sensitive and is closely monitored by governments across the world, government-to-government collaborations would ease the entry process for Indian companies in foreign markets, diversify our energy resource base and improve energy security.GATS, Energy, trade, India & the WTO

IMPROVING SAFTEY PERFORMANCE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN LIBYA (CASE STUDY : IN TRIPOLI CITY)

Abstract In both developed and developing countries, the construction industry is considered to be one of the most significant industries in terms of its impact on health and safety of the working population. Construction industry is both economically and socially important. However, the construction industry is also recognized to be the most hazardous. The objectives of this research are to investigate the safety performance in the construction sites. The data were collected from the contractors, consultant, and owners by using questionnaire to evaluate the safety performance in the construction sites. In total, there were 40 questionnaires which were distributed to respondents, with a response rate of 75%. The results show that there was still a lack of commitment from the government, the insurance company, the labor ministry, the owners, consultants, and also the contractors to improving safety performance on the construction sites. The suggestion is to improve the safety performance on the construction sites. The government should follow up the safety performance by visiting the construction sites. The insurance company should be more active in visiting the construction sites. The owners should be more active towards the safety by controlling, visiting the process in the construction sites. The contractors have to train the workers and promote the safety culture and follow up the safety performance. The consultants should control all the tools in the construction sites to insure that those tools are safe. Keywords: Safety performance, construction project, Tripol

Awareness, Drivers, Actions, and Barriers of Sustainable Construction in Kuwait

AbstractThe construction industry has a significant impact on the environment. It is responsible for a large proportion of global CO2 emissions, as well as the use of both natural resources and energy reserves. Green building (GB) practices are becoming increasingly recognized as a way of mitigating CO2 emissions and energy consumption, with environmental, economic, financial, social and benefits accruing. This paper reports the results of a study about the opportunities to promote sustainable construction (SC) practices in Kuwait. This entails identifying the current status of SC practices, the awareness level and knowledge of construction stakeholders, the key drivers that motivate the implementation of green practices, as well as barriers to SC. After comprehensive reviewing the literature, the data is conducted and collected through quantitative approach by questionnaires survey. The judgmental and snowball sampling techniques are used for the data collection. The local stakeholders associated with the Kuwait construction industry were the target population and used as a platform to obtain the data. A total of 678 questionnaires were distributed and 504 completed questionnaires were received. The quantitative data is then analyzed through descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. The main findings of this research are as follows: implementation of the concept of SC is low in the Kuwaiti construction industry; more action and strategies to improve and encourage this concept are therefore required in order for it to be applied efficiently in future projects; lack of awareness was found to be the main barrier to the use of SC approaches in Kuwait; the Kuwaiti government must take initiatives in terms of introducing standards, policies and incentives to promote SC. The findings of this study provide valuable information for organizations that intend to participate in green construction projects in Kuwait

A New Materials and Design Approach for Roads, Bridges, Pavement, and Concrete

Increased understanding of demand for transport energy and how to improve road pavement materials would enable decision makers to make environmental, financial, and other positive changes in future planning and design of roads, bridges, and other important transportation structures. This research comprises three studies focused on pavement materials and a fourth study that examines energy demand within the road transportation sector. These studies are as follows: 1. A techno-economic study of ground tire rubber as an asphalt modifier; 2. A computational fluid dynamics analysis comparing the urban heat island effect of two different pavement materials – asphalt and Portland Cement Concrete; 3. A new approach that modifies the surface of ground tire rubber using low-cost chemicals and treatment methods to be used in asphalt applications; and 4. Analysis of road transport energy demand in California and the United States. The findings of these studies include that 1. GTR is an effective and economically suitable additive for modified asphalt, 2. the suitability of PCC pavements in urban settings should be reexamined, 3. Surface modification of GTR materials can improve compatibilization of particles for the manufacture of asphalt materials, and 4. gasoline sales are generally price inelastic in both the U.S. and California. Ultimately, these four studies improve understanding of road pavement materials and transport energy demand. They lay out important information about the future of the relationship between materials and design in the transportation industry. These findings may be used by engineers, policymakers, and others in the industry to better consider implications of decisions involved in design, creation, and modification of structures using pavement and concrete, including roads, bridges, etc

Total quality management within the construction industry of Kuwait: the role of Total Quality Management and its usage

The aim of this research is to understand employees’ contribution to the successful implementation of total quality management (TQM) within construction companies in Kuwait. A research model was developed based on previous studies to guide the research and understand the different factors that contribute to employee contribution and implementation of TQM. The research begins with reviewing different literatures on employee contribution and TQM. The factors studies the implementation and usage of quality management in the construction companies and factors such as leadership, employee, teamwork, and information technology on TQM. To understand employee contribution, data was collected from employees in the construction companies in Kuwait. The data was collected using quantitative survey and using questionnaires that were distributed by hand to the companies. The collected data was entered in statistical software to generate different types of analyses. The types of analyses were descriptive, crosstab, correlation, factor, regression, Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney. Based on the results leadership, employee, teamwork and information technology were found to be significant to the role of TQM in the construction companies. The recommendations were towards practicing continuous improvement, strengthening employee training, increasing and enhancing communication between managers and employees. The future research recommendations are towards gathering information from senior managers and CEO. The data needs to be compared with this study to understand the role of senior managers towards success of TQM in construction companies. ii ACKNOWLED