Perceptions of Skilled Labour Attributes on Delays in Construction Projects in India

Published Conference ProceedingsEvidence from the literature suggests that the causes of delays in construction are well researched. Client, contractor, consultant, design, equipment and material related aspects have varied influence on the occurrence of delay. However, the perception of various labour attributes on the occurrence of delay have been least investigated. Thus, the objective of the paper is to identify the various labour attributes that cause delay and examine how these attributes influence the occurrence of delay. A survey was conducted among various stakeholders that include engineers, contractors, clients, project managers, architects, supervisors, labour contractors and skilled labourers to collect the data on the perception of labour attributes that cause delay. To conduct the survey a questionnaire was distributed among 75 individual stakeholders selected through random sampling process from 3 construction projects in Bhubaneswar city of India. A perception index was developed based on weighted average method to examine the relative influence of the labour attributes on delay followed by descriptive statistics analysis and significance tests to establish the interlinkage between labour attributes and their consequences that cause delay. Findings revealed that lack of appropriate skill, lack of adequate remuneration, poor commitment by the labours to the project work are the major labour attributes which engender delay in construction projects. It is also found that lack of skill and competency lead to poor quality of work and consequently rework and delay. Poor remuneration prompts poor commitment to the projects. Poor commitment slows down the speed of work, and regular availability to the project and consequently influence the level of output, thus contributing to the delay of the projects. The findings contribute to the discourse of delay in construction from the labour attribute point of view

Influence of Administrative and Political Authorities’ Decisions on the Construction of Community Development Projects in India

Published Conference ProceedingsConstruction of community development projects, particularly in rural areas of India is a challenge. Administrative and political authority decisions play a major role on the construction of these projects. Therefore, the objectives of the investigation are (1) to explore how and to what extent the administrative and political decisions influence the executive agencies at the local level, and (2) to examine the various project parameters that get influenced by such decisions. The investigation was conducted by using the case study of two Community Development Blocks in Odisha State of India and by employing a survey research method. Findings suggest that the decisions influence the construction of projects both positively and negatively. The decisions are found to facilitate funding of projects, administrative and technical approval of projects and build confidence among the contractors and beneficiaries; however concurrently some of the decisions negatively influence the local executive agencies like Block and Village panchayat authorities, technical personnel, design of projects and quality of work, and also engender conflict among the stakeholders, thus influencing the execution of the projects adversely. Besides, the major implications of the negative influences of the administrative and political decisions are setting up of unrealistic target for completion of projects, pressure on spending of funds within unrealistic period of time, poor quality of work, delay in project execution, delay in delivery of projects, poor design of projects, unrealistic estimated project duration, unrealistic project estimate, and conflict in project planning and allocation

Exploring the Politico-Cultural Dimensions for Development of Smart Cities in India

Published ArticleIndian cities seem to be in transition regardless of the various sustainability challenges they have experienced in recent years. Globalization, market economy, and technological developments have brought economic, social and infrastructural advantages. However, population growth, proliferation of urban functions, insurmountable increase in size of cities, and environmental crises because of climate change have caused the cities to experience severe spatial, infrastructural and environmental ailments. Besides, the significant rise of Information Communication Technology (ICT) industries in the cities and their socio-economic and spatial influence have brought about inequitable development. At this juncture emancipation of a political will to build smart cities in India provides a new impetus for changing the planning perspectives and warrants a politico-cultural discourse to examine the prerequisites and paradigms, which could aid in development of smart cities in India. Drawing upon the stimulating mix of past experiences and prospective approaches across the world and discussions with experts in the political science, local governance and urban development, this explorative paper provides a discourse on the concept of smart cities, opportunities, challenges and the way forward to realize the goals of smart city development in a heterogeneous but democratically unified country like India. Based on the discourse, it is argued that the current urban governance system is not congruent for development of smart cities in India. Therefore, it is advocated that a cultural theory inspired politico-cultural mechanism be explored and crafted to assemble the requisite elements of an urban governance system that should enable the dynamics and cohesion needed for developing smart cities in India

MODELLING TO RESOLVE DESIGN LINKED DELAY IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Published Conference ProceedingsConsultants are the major role players in design of construction projects. It is well acknowledged that the consultant and design linked issues are more or less integrated and influence delay in a project. Therefore, the objectives of the investigation are to identify the influential consultant and design related variables, which cause delay; to evolve the causal feedback relations among the most influential consultant and design linked variables and delay; and to develop a model to estimate the reduction of delay under varied strategic interventions. For this purpose a survey was conducted among 120 stakeholders and professionals from various construction projects in India. By using System Dynamics (SD) modelling principles, causal feedback relations among the most influential parameters that influence delay were established and dynamic hypotheses were evolved for developing policy interventions to reduce delay. A SD model was developed by using data from medium sized building projects in India to examine the behaviour of the project schedule and delay under different simulated scenarios, and estimate the reduction of delay under different policy interventions based on the dynamic hypotheses framed. Findings suggest that there exist definite causal feedback relations among the consultant and design linked variables, such as late reviewing and approving of design documents by consultant, delay in approving major changes in the scope of work by consultant, delay in performing inspection and testing by consultant, poor communication/coordination between consultant and other parties, inflexibility (rigidity) of the consultant, delays in producing design documents, complexity of project design, mistakes and discrepancies in design documents, and unclear and inadequate details in drawings, which essentially cause delay. However, the model results revealed that policy interventions based on (1) causal feedback mechanisms involving appointment of highly competent consultant and design team, delay in producing the design documents and delay in construction; and (2) provision of effective communication mechanism, conflict resolution and delay in construction can reduce delay significantly

Perspectives of smart cities in South Africa through applied systems analysis approach: a case of Bloemfontein

There is a changed perspective regarding the development of cities and increasingly many countries in the West and some developing countries, as in South Africa, are making concerted attempts to transform their cities to smart cities. Using the context of the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa and drawing on the perceptions of stakeholders, the objective of the paper is to offer a perspective on such a transformation. The study first assessed the performance of various factors and attributes that influence three important aspects of a smart city: economy, mobility and governance system. It then recorded the viewpoints of stakeholders about how these aspects can contribute to the development of a smart city. Further, Applied Systems Analysis (ASA) linked System Dynamics (SD) conceptual models based on the interlinkage and causal feedback relationships among various factors under each aspect were developed, which could assist in offering perspectives that would enable eliciting of policy interventions to develop smart cities. Findings indicate that there are potentials and positive indicators in all three aspects. It is emerged that reinforcement of the inter-relationship among entrepreneurship, innovation, productivity, economic image and international embeddedness will foster a smart economy. Efficient public transportation and advancement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) system will strengthen local accessibility and ensure an innovative, sustainable and safe transportation system that will result in smart mobility. Effective participation of stakeholders in the decision-making process alongside the elected city council and transparency will aid smart governance. The combined effect of these attributes should enable the transformation of the city to a smart city

Images of Central Areas: A Comparative Analysis between South Africa and European Cities

Published Conference ProceedingsCentral areas depict distinct images of cities. Increasingly, it is seen that the significance of the designated central areas in many cities across the world has been relegated because of the up market developments in other areas of the cities, particularly in developing countries like South Africa. However, central areas could still become the nerve centres of the cities and contribute to their vitality and to the verve of residents. Thus, there is a need to explore to know what ails the central areas, what attributes are necessary and how to revitalize central areas of cities. Using comparative analyses of the images of central areas of different European and South African cities, and qualitative discussions with visitors, this study explores how the central areas of South African cities can be revitalized as well as how to make them more vibrant and attractive. The study was conducted by using images of central areas of cities like Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa; and Vienna, Budapest and Cologne in Europe. It is revealed that despite the availability of similar features, the central areas of the South African cities are less vibrant, active and attractive than the European cities. The major reasons are lack of adequate accessibility, lack of safety and fear of crime, and lack of animated areas to enforce multicultural activities. Besides, they do not portray distinct attractive images in the minds of the people. The experience from European cities suggests that land marks, such as heritage and architecture have certain contribution, but accessibility to the central areas by different public transportation modes, prevention of vehicular movement in core areas, full pedestrianization and walkability, cleanliness, safety, sense of belongingness, and availability of animated areas for various activities, such as shopping, dining, meeting, entertainment and relaxing are major contributors to the vitality of the central areas. Thus, enhancement of accessibility by major modes of transportation, fully pedestrianization of the core areas, safety and creation of vibrant areas of multicultural activities in addition to creation of unique images are the prime requirements to make the central areas of the South African cities dynamic and livelier

EVALUATION OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND RE-ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR CENTRAL AREAS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES: A CASE STUDY OF KIMBERLEY CITY

Published Conference ProceedingsTraffic congestion in and around the central business districts (CBD) of South African cities is a major challenge. Apparently, it is engendering undesirable consequences that include impeding vehicular flow, causing vehicular and pedestrian conflicts, escalating travel time, and frequenting vehicular crashes. So, using a case study of Kimberley city in South Africa, this study assessed the causes and degree of traffic congestion on the roads in and around the CBD area; and examined the impact of plausible re-engineering measures to alleviate the challenge. Survey research methods were used to collect data. Land use and urban functions influencing urban movements, road, and traffic scenario data were collected through physical and traffic survey at different selected road sections and junctions of the CBD area by following appropriate survey protocols. Besides, road user perception and travel behaviour survey were conducted among 208 (N= 208) road users by using random sampling process at important nodes of the city. Relevant empirical models were used to assess the causes and level of traffic congestion, and to examine the impact of reengineering solutions on the current and forecasted traffic scenarios. Findings suggest an appreciable level of traffic congestion is experienced currently in some of the roads of the CBD area and the situation will be aggravated in future, specifically during the peak hours, whereas a number of roads are highly underutilised. Re-engineering solutions such as appropriate traffic assignment and modal split, i.e., traffic diversion ranging between 9.0% and 40.5% from different congested roads and restriction of plying of heavy vehicles on the congested roads during peak hours and assigning them to connected underutilised roads could ease traffic congestion, increase speed and reduce travel time and consequently enable optimal use of the majority of the roads in and around the CBD area of the city

Design Delays in Building Projects in India: Effects and Remedies

Empirical evidence shows that design-related challenges influence delay in building projects in India. Based on case studies of building projects from the capital region of Odisha Province of India, the factors relating to consultants and design have been identified and policy interventions were compiled to reduce design linked delay. A survey method to collect data, statistical analysis and a Systems Dynamics modelling approach were used according to different scenarios to propose strategic interventions. The findings suggested that complexity of design and compilation of documents, and the combined complexity of both can cause substantial delay. The model results revealed that the combined effect of appointing competent consultants and communicating effectively could reduce delay significantly. The novelty of the study lies in using a systems approach to develop causal feedback relationships among variables, as opposed to considering one origin of the problem at a time. The study makes three contributions: (1) design-linked challenges and mechanisms of delay, based on causal feedback relationships in building construction, can be diagnosed to evolve appropriate remedial measures; (2) impacts of different interventions can be visualised quantitatively under different scenarios; and (3) an alternative methodology to examine the trend of the project period is offered