The construction industry is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases, accounting for 38% of global carbon emissions. Recently, interest in mass timber construction has grown, due to its potential benefits in reducing environmental impact compared to traditional construction methods that use steel and concrete, and in promoting global sustainability and climate agendas, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global net-zero emissions by 2050. Despite the slow adoption of mass timber construction (MTC) in Australia, some innovative and iconic projects and initiatives have been realised. The research intends to identify critical challenges and potential for broader adoption of MTC in Australia. The study reviewed selected MTC projects, followed by a perception survey and interviews of the relevant industry stakeholders in Australia to understand the key barriers and enablers for the widespread application of MTC in Australia. Significant challenges identified in the research include a lack of understanding of fire safety, regulations, performance, inherent application, and local manufacturers and suppliers, which are yet to be improved. In addition, it was found that prior experience built confidence in the application of MTC. Furthering widespread adoption of MTC technology in Australia beyond cost competitiveness requires the Australian construction industry to work towards developing suitable regulatory and insurance policies, financing, incentivising clients, and a skilled workforce. The study focuses on an investigation in the context of industry perceptions of MTC in Australia. Based on the analysis of the critical characteristics of MTC projects, and using the empirical data, the study identifies key challenges and opportunities in the widespread application of MTC in Australia.

Co-generation of energy derived from human movement is not new. Intentionally accumulating energy, from mass urban-mobility, provides opportunities to re-purpose power. However, when mass-mobility is predictable, yet not harnessed, this highlights critical gaps in application of interdisciplinary knowledge. This research highlights a novel application of geostatistical modelling for the built environment with the purpose of understanding where energy harvesting infrastructure should be located. The work presented argues that advanced Geostatistical methods can be implemented as an appropriate method to predict probability distribution, density, clustering of populations and mass-population mobility patterns from large-scale online distributed and heterogeneous data sets published by the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network. Where clear urban spatio-behavioural relationships of density and movement can be predictedunderstanding such patterns supports cross-disciplinary city planning and decision-making. A data-informedpredictive spatial decision-making framework is proposedfacilitating the endeavour of cogenerating kinetic human energy within a prescribed space. This novel proposition could further sustainability strategies for compact living for cities such as in Perth, Western Australia which is increasingly economically and geographically pressured to densify. This research argues that surveillance data elucidate a capacity to interpret and understand impacts of densification strategies, efficacy of CCTV networks in existing and emerging cities.

No abstract

Construction delays are considered a common worldwide problem. Previous studies have investigated construction delay factors from the perspectives of different project stakeholders. However, a thorough analysis of such delays on different types of construction projects in different geographies is still lacking, precisely the effect of employers’ delays in traditional and building information modeling (BIM)-enabled projects. This research proposes a research framework to address potential employer-caused delay factors in traditional and BIM-enabled projects. A cross-sectional literature search was carried out to review construction delay factors and employer-caused delay factors in traditional and BIM-enabled projects. The study found that: (a) a research gap exists in traditional construction delay studies in specific continents and project types as well as in BIM-enabled project studies, (b) delay aspects have not been addressed or have been partially addressed in previous studies, and (c) a relationship model between employer-caused delay factors and success factors can be developed by studying the effects of BIM barriers and implementation strategies. This paper is the first to present a comprehensive review on delay factors and tender a novel framework to address employer-caused delay factors in both traditional and BIM-enabled projects.

No abstract

Emergent evidence shows micro and macro-climates influence criminal behaviour; a complex phenomenon that is still incipient in theory development. A mixed method research, this study starts with a systematic review of literature on theorical premises that urban heat islands amplify aggressive behaviour and crime. Further, it discusses potential implications of the relationship between the environment and social outcomes on design and planning of urban environments. A meta-synthesis was conducted to explain the correlations between patterns of criminal behaviour and thermal (dis) comfort. This correlation is to relate fundamental urban design principles to socially sustainable communities that dissuade violence and crime, and otherwise show poorly designed spaces do propagate criminal behaviour. Cross-validation was undertaken using a case study of Midland, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Data involve population demographics, temperature, and crime statistics relating to Offences against the Person. Analysis focused on homicide, assault, threatening behaviour, and robbery. Findings show limited positive correlations between long-term temperature, crime, population density, and green canopy cover. Variables of climate (e.g., short-to-long-term climate-related stressors) and crime types also show non-linear association. Nonetheless, forecasting the future of violence and trends of crime through attributes or potential impacts of heat and urban canopy cover on the built environment will inform sustainable social development policy, environmental planning, development strategy, designers, and planners. Recommendations are made around these in relation to making urban communities adaptive to the impacts of global warming and future densification.

No abstract

No abstract