Resource management at modern construction sites: Bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and industry practice and needs
Lea Hasselsteen Nielsen, Søren Munch Lindhard, Kai Kanafani
Abstract
The urgent need to address the construction sector's significant contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions underscores the importance of developing more sustainable construction practices. This paper presents a comprehensive review that offers valuable insights into evolving research and guides future strategies for sustainable resource management in construction processes. A systematic literature review (SLR) examined on-site activity data to identify emission reduction measures, and ten in-depth interviews with industry practitioners validated the theoretical concepts against field experiences and practices. The research identified seventy-three (73) measures with emissions mitigation potential within six resource categories: transport, fuel, heating, electricity, water, and waste. The study highlights a gap between theoretical knowledge and on-site practices, with many identified measures not being used in practice. Only 26% of reviewed articles measured on-site resource consumption, indicating a need for on-site monitoring and real-time evaluation of emissions. The interviews revealed 31 challenges hindering the practical implementation of these measures and identified nine enablers to overcome these obstacles. The findings emphasise the opportunities presented by regulatory initiatives, technological advancements, and standardised methods for conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) and data collection. The paper underscores that collaboration among stakeholders and policymakers is not just beneficial but crucial for driving meaningful progress in reducing the construction sector's environmental footprint. Ultimately, this integrated approach, validated, and contextualised by the interviews, provides practical insights that enrich our understanding of sustainable construction practices.