Appraisal of the drivers of smart city development in South Africa

Abstract: The quest for smart cities and development has been on the increase among infrastructural development stakeholders, including clients, government agencies responsible for the management of infrastructures, construction professionals, sponsors, and financiers of these projects. However, studies around the world have shown that less attention is being paid by these stakeholders to various indices and measures of smart cities. These measures and indices, known as drivers, are smart environment, smart economy, smart people, smart governance, smart mobility, and smart living. Using these drivers and their indicators, a multiple-choice questionnaire was designed in line with existing and relevant literature materials in the subject area. These questionnaires were administered on construction professionals with relevant and adequate knowledge of smart construction. Smart environment was found to be a major driver of a smart city while smart people, smart governance and smart living are also key to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the concept. The developed key smart city drivers are a workable, adaptable and efficient city design mechanism and it will be useful for city planners, statutory agencies as well other stakeholders in the development of smart cities

Evaluating the relationship between communication management practices and project outcomes : a case study of Eswatini (Swaziland) construction industry

Abstract: Communication management is viewed as an imperative factor associated with performance improvement in construction projects. In Eswatini, it is established that projects experience poor project delivery associated with poor communication management practices. This study seeks to elucidate communication management practices informed by local culture and relate it to project outcome. A questionnaire survey of practitioners registered with Eswatini construction industry council was adopted for the study. Data was collected from 66 respondents. Principal axis factoring established nine practices namely; information technology, communication technology, communication skills and competence, communication management plan, teamwork, clear channels within organisation’s structure, project brief requirement management, project brief risk requirement management and context of environment as being key factors to project positive outcome. Spearman’s rho established..

MODELLING A COST PROFILE FOR ROAD PROJECTS

One of the vital success elements of a construction project is the accuracy of the estimation of construction cost. This study is aimed at developing a cost profile for road projects in Ghana. Pro-forma was designed to retrieve historical cost data of completed road projects in Ghana. The pro-forma retrieved data such as the initial budgeted cost and final construction cost of road projects, location of road projects, features of road projects, the scope of road projects (New project, renovation work, upgrade work or replacement work), type of road projects and classification of road projects. Cost data were analysed using descriptive analysis and probability distributions such as Cumulative Density Functions and Probability Density Functions. From findings, estimates prepared for road projects in Ghana can be expected to be below the final construction cost by about 20% while most of the completed road projects in Ghana experience cost overrun.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Data Management Risks: A Bane of Construction Project Performance

The construction industry is a sector that creates employment opportunities for everybody from all backgrounds. A good performance achieved through managing data is one factor that enables the construction industry’s success and development. Unfortunately, data management encounters challenges regarding data safety, due to the implementation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) (digitalisation). This study sets out to evaluate the effects of risks to data management on the performance of construction projects. This research work used a quantitative methodology and gathered information from different construction professionals in the South African construction industry via a well-structured questionnaire through online platforms. These professionals were quantity surveyors, architects, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers practising for a firm, company, organization, or institution within Gauteng province, South Africa. A random sampling technique was used in this research to ensure that each part and set of individuals had an equivalent possibility of being incorporated into the sample. Of 215 questionnaires sent out, 181 (84.19%) responses were received and used for data analysis. Mean item score (MIS), standard deviation (SD), a non-parametric test, and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the retrieved data. Findings revealed that loss of construction project data, loss of confidential information, company image and reputational harm are among the top three effects that risks to data have on people working in the construction sector. This study concluded that these data management risk effects could be prevented if construction project stakeholders were aware of the different data management risks

Unearthing Causative Factors of Cost Overrun on Ghanaian Road Projects

When determining the success of a road project, cost is one of the most important variables to consider. This is because cost is the project’s backbone and driving force throughout the construction process. As a result, to assess the cost performance of a road project, the actual cost is compared to the planned cost. This research aims at uncovering the causal variables that contribute to cost overruns on road projects using Accra, Ghana as a case study. Relevant literature was thoroughly reviewed to extract identified factors. This study adopted a quantitative research approach, using a questionnaire developed to collect data from the target audience. The questionnaire survey was conducted using civil engineers and quantity surveyors working in the Ghanaian construction sector. The data that were retrieved were analysed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. According to the findings, the main reasons driving cost overruns on road projects include consultant/ contractor-related, environment-related, economy-related, risk/uncertainty-related, technical-related, owner/client-related, and other project-related factors. It was determined that cost overruns in construction projects occurred because of a lack of professionalism on the part of the stakeholders engaged in the construction process from start to finish. Future research may therefore be conducted utilising all of Ghana’s regions to obtain a broad view of the research

Data Management Risks: A Bane of Construction Project Performance

The construction industry is a sector that creates employment opportunities for everybody from all backgrounds. A good performance achieved through managing data is one factor that enables the construction industry’s success and development. Unfortunately, data management encounters challenges regarding data safety, due to the implementation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) (digitalisation). This study sets out to evaluate the effects of risks to data management on the performance of construction projects. This research work used a quantitative methodology and gathered information from different construction professionals in the South African construction industry via a well-structured questionnaire through online platforms. These professionals were quantity surveyors, architects, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers practising for a firm, company, organization, or institution within Gauteng province, South Africa. A random sampling technique was used in this research to ensure that each part and set of individuals had an equivalent possibility of being incorporated into the sample. Of 215 questionnaires sent out, 181 (84.19%) responses were received and used for data analysis. Mean item score (MIS), standard deviation (SD), a non-parametric test, and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the retrieved data. Findings revealed that loss of construction project data, loss of confidential information, company image and reputational harm are among the top three effects that risks to data have on people working in the construction sector. This study concluded that these data management risk effects could be prevented if construction project stakeholders were aware of the different data management risks

A principal component analysis of barriers to the implementation of blockchain technology in the South African built environment

Purpose Blockchain technology is one of the emerging innovative technologies making waves globally, and it has been adjudged to have the capability to transform businesses. With the different capabilities of the technology, such as immutability of information and decentralisation of authority attributes, the built environment is slow in its adoption. This study aims to explore the barriers to the implementation of blockchain technology in the construction using a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. Design/methodology/approach This research took a post-positivist philosophical stance, which informed a quantitative research approach through a questionnaire survey. From the South African built environment and information technology sector, 79 respondents were drawn through a snowballing sampling technique. The built environment professionals include architect, construction project manager, construction manager, quantity surveyor and engineer. Retrieved data were screened and analysed by adopting the descriptive analysis and PCA while Cronbach alpha evaluated the reliability. Also, Kruskal–Wallis H non-parametric test was used to determine the differences in the opinion of the respondent groups. Findings The analysis revealed that all the identified barriers ranked above the average mean with lack of clarity, scalability risks and lack of skills or knowledge ranking top three. PCA clustered the identified barriers into three components: organisational barriers, social barriers and technological barriers. Research limitations/implications This study was carried out in the Gauteng province of South Africa, leaving out other provinces due to accessibility, cost and time constraints. Practical implications Built environment organisations need to be kept abreast of the capabilities of blockchain technology as the major barrier observed was the lack of clarity of blockchain technology. Also, the technological barriers identified from this study need to be addressed by information technology experts to give consumers the desired value for money in implementing blockchain technology for the built environment. Originality/value The blockchain technology capabilities are incomparable to any other invention thus far. Therefore, it is very important that the numerous stakeholders in the built environment be made aware of the blockchain technology capabilities while formulating a solution to the identified barriers. This will aid its implementation in the built environment and help the industry measure up with its counterparts

Review of Culture in Maintenance Management of Public Buildings in Developing Countries

Studies have shown that culture is one of the significant elements that influence the behavior of doing things the right way, without which there is a hindrance to the attainment of set goals. It has also been stated that culture is essential to maintaining public buildings, which is significant to national development. However, the level of abandonment and deterioration of public buildings is high due to a lack of culture among stakeholders in the maintenance process. Therefore, through a literature review from over 100 recent publications, this study measured culture as a variable that influences effective maintenance management of buildings. This was carried out to enlighten maintenance managers and policymakers within the developing countries regarding the significance of maintenance culture and possible measures for improving the attitude of stakeholders on the maintenance process. It was also carried out to develop a new maintenance focus (behavioral change) for maintenance managers and policymakers, especially in developing countries, to manage the available public buildings and other proposed ones effectively

African BIM Report 2020

While it may seem like the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) across Africa is slow-paced, the increasing advocacy efforts from various stakeholders is now resulting in a widespread drive for implementation and deployment. Coupled with the ongoing disruption by the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is now a very high degree of the utilization of digital technologies by construction professionals. As a first of its kind across the continent, the African BIM Report was conceived to provide a continuous review of the state of implementation of BIM by the industry. The report will progressively highlight exceptional projects, industry leaders and research experts across Africa. A pan-African survey will integrate the opinion from a wider range of professionals. As a dynamic, future-focused, and thriving community, BIM Africa is well-positioned to champion the digital transformation of the built industry across Africa. Our approach covers broad industry education, extensive research, professional development and certifications, quality networking and the formulation of locally adapted standards. Our Research and Development Committee comprises of a thriving portfolio of internationally certified and brilliant academic researchers of African descent; the coming together of bright minds to impact their motherland