Sustainable construction practices in the execution of infrastructure projects

Abstract

PurposeIn responding to global issues of creating sustainable development, the Indonesian government has enacted regulations (i.e. Ministry of Public Works and Housing No. 05/PRT/M/2015) on the implementation of sustainable construction in infrastructure project execution. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the means of implementing sustainable principles in the execution of infrastructure projects in Indonesia by the main construction service providers and their partners. A lesson-learned is presented as a source of knowledge to underpin the extensive implementation of sustainable principles in the construction of infrastructure projects leading to an integrated approach in creating a sustainable infrastructure that fulfills the requirements of sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThe method used is questionnaire surveys with Indonesian construction practitioners who are working on building construction, road and bridge construction, water facilities construction and house and settlement construction.FindingsFrom the results, the practices of sustainability principles by construction service providers in infrastructure project execution are imperative from the project procurement phase. The evaluation continues to the phase of construction project execution, which reveals the inconsiderable performance of sustainability indicators due to current constraints on the implementation of sustainability principles.Originality/valueThis research looks into the existing gaps between sustainable construction principles and their practical implementation in Indonesian infrastructure projects. This will foster a holistic approach in the practice of undertaking sustainable procurement processes, thus reinforcing project management techniques in the phase of sustainable construction project execution. This also strengthens the interrelated roles and responsibilities of project stakeholders by taking into account principles of safety, balance and the harmony of infrastructure and the environment.

A Review on Sustainable Construction Regulations in Asian Countries: Savvy Insights for Indonesia

“…The issuance of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Decree No: 05/PRT/M/2015 concerning General Guidelines for the Implementation of Sustainable Construction in Infrastructure Projects Execution positively marked Indonesia government's commitment in regard to sustainable construction implementation. However, experts viewed that unavailability of associated technical guidelines which should be supplemented the decree to be one of the biggest barriers for the implementation process of sustainable construction in Indonesia (Willar et al, 2019). Moreover, similar with those challenges encountered by other developing countries, experts also considered the ministerial decree to be particularly emphasized on the environmental aspects and has not yet encompassed the social and economic aspects (Susanti et al, 2019); though implementation related to environmental aspects, such as energy and water efficiency, as well as waste reduction, is still lacking in day-to-day practices of infrastructure projects in Indonesia (Willar et al, 2019).…”

LEED Study of Green Lightweight Aggregates in Construction

“…There is a considerable amount of literature on the benefits of the implementation of sustainable construction (SC) practices [43][44][45]. Sustainable construction encompasses a broad set of concepts which does not just cover the sustainable building design and materials, but extends to include the utilized products, resources, installed appliances, incorporated technologies and strategies, and the implemented construction methods over the entire life cycle of the building.…”

Factors Influencing Clients’ Commitment to Sustainable Construction Practices

“…Sustainable construction practice therefore, depicts the construction sector's response to sustainability which is borne out of man's concern for increasing consumption patterns in the mist of earth's limited carrying capacity to sustain lives [6]. Sustainable construction focuses on how construction projects can preserve the environment and have an impact on the social and economic welfare of the community [7]. It is the utilization of sustainable materials and technologies in the design, construction and operation of construction projects.…”

“…Unfortunately, a lot of challenges and uncertainties are restraining the implementation of sustainable construction practice especially in the developing countries [1,3,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Successful implementation of sustainable construction principles requires the commitment of all parties who are involved in construction projects [7]. The success of sustainability in the construction industry depends on the decisions of the key actors in the construction process, including owners, managers, designers, firms, governments, etc.…”