Integration of Sustainable Construction in Project Management: A Case Study in Ghana

Abstract

The increase in human population requires more buildings that require more use of resources. This trend has a negative impact on the natural environment, economic and social issues, affecting the quality of life of current and future generations. This study reports the views of construction experts on the incorporation of sustainable construction in project management in Ghana. In all, data were collected from 122 construction professionals selected randomly by survey. At different stages, site, water, waste, energy, human and material factors were used. The study indicated that perceptions of project success when it runs within the triple goals (time, cost and quality) are influencing construction professionals to undermine the involvement of sustainability benefits (environmental, economic and social) in terms of the criteria used to measure the project's success. However, most of the building structures in Ghana depend largely on the energy, increases energy waste reducing occupant comfort. The result also showed that recycled construction materials are not fully used in buildings, and this is as a result of unavailability in the industry, uncompetitive price of the product and lack of incentives for the use of such materials. The study concludes that, the challenge the construction industry is facing today is not only to complete projects within time, cost and quality, but to integrate various constraints such as economic, environmental and social needs in the act of building.