Cost and Benefits Analysis of Sustainable Building Production in Western Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER The increasing demand for shelter in the developing world is alarming. The provision of these facilities involves intense construction activities. Although construction activities in the past decades have been observed to impact the environment adversely, researchers opined that the adoption of sustainable buildings will significantly reduce the impacts of construction activities on the environment. Conversely, the high cost of total production has been a barrier to sustainable building adoption. Hence, this paper is set to ascertain the cost benefits of sustainable building production DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH This paper evaluates the perceptions of construction stakeholders (contractors. consultants and clients) on the cost and benefits of sustainable buildings using a questionnaire survey. Quantitative data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques. FINDINGS Findings from the analysis show that the concepts and benefits of sustainable building production are familiar ideologies in the construction industry. In addition, the evaluation disclosed that achieving the benefits of sustainable buildings depends on the collaborative effort of the construction stakeholders and government towards construction materials cost reduction during construction RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS This paper provides empirical findings to the conference sub-theme on sustainable green building thus promoting sustainable construction education. WHAT IS ORIGINAL/VALUE OF PAPER This paper has recognised that the costs of materials for construction and procurement processes are core contributors to the high cost of producing sustainable buildings. The results can be useful to all construction stakeholders to enhance the adoption of sustainable buildings with the cost and benefits of production in perception. These combined efforts encourage stakeholders’ participation in the production of sustainable buildings to reduce the environmental impacts of construction and improve the social-economic status of the population.