Green procurement for municipal construction projects
- Authors: Maboza, Luthando Sithembele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable construction , Construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3165 , vital:20407
- Description: The study is a qualitative investigation of the implementation of green procurement in the construction sector at Local Government level. The focus is on the Metropolitan Municipalities of EThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay and City of Cape Town. For the purpose of realising an extended comparative perspective, an additional three smaller municipalities were also reviewed. Green procurement is the tool used by governments to source the supply of products and services that are environmentally friendly to counter the global problem of climate change. The study commences with the exposition of the aspects of green procurement from the basis of the enabling legal framework to the scholarly contribution from which the study can be predicated. It becomes apparent from this review of legislation that there is a scope within the existing body of legislation for the use of green procurement as an environmental tool. Scholarly work addresses adoption of green procurement and considers, inter alia, the Bottom-up Approach, the Top-down Approach, and the Procura + Milestones model. Literature indicates that development has a negative impact on the environment, which includes vegetation loss, illegal dumping, and greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the literature recommends green lifecycle design and production of construction projects to reduce the impact of construction on the environment. A systematic investigation of municipalities by means of interviews with relevant municipal officials involved with the procurement of products and services, infrastructure services and environmental affairs officials made it possible to identify factors that impact on the implementation of green procurement. The investigation finds that the major obstacles to green procurement are socio-economic challenges that confront municipalities, lack of policy, and lack of awareness. Recommendations include the proposal of initiatives that encourage and improve the implementation of green procurement. The study hopes to inspire innovation in the implementation of green procurement in the construction sector.
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- Date Issued: 2015
Constructability effects of green buildings
- Authors: Hurbissoon, Roneesh Mehta
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Sustainable construction , Architecture and energy conservation , Construction industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1379 , Sustainable construction , Architecture and energy conservation , Construction industry
- Description: The Earth's health is deteriorating and will deteriorate even more rapidly unless people adopt eco-friendly policies. Green building has long been a concept but it has not yet been universally applied in practice. The concept of sustainability emerged in the 1970s and can be associated with the energy crisis and environmental pollution concerns. This research is aimed at investigating whether building “green” is more demanding than non-green buildings in terms of cost and the use of green materials against traditional materials; whether professionals in the construction industry are knowledgeable in terms of green buildings; and lastly, to determine whether green buildings are contributing significantly to the environment. The literature reviewed and results of quantitative research amongst professionals from the Island of Mauritius formed the basis of the study. The study revealed that green building is expensive relative to traditional buildings considering. However, the concepts employed (for example: lower energy use, less waste disposal, lower water usage, and sustainable design) provide green buildings with long term savings. Furthermore, the scarcity of natural materials makes it expensive. The study also showed that contractors and professionals have a preference for traditional materials over green materials thus making them more familiar with traditional materials. Contractors and professionals are believed to understand green materials only on a limited basis. This may be attributed to the specific environmental issues involved; however, the research revealed that the professionals are familiar with the basic concepts of green buildings. Lastly, the research showed that green building is still at its infancy but the benefits of green buildings are understood; resulting in green buildings having a good growth potential. The study should be valuable to construction industry professional and clients.
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- Date Issued: 2011