School of Future Environments - Huri te Ao

Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/13907

AUT is home to a number of renowned research institutes in architecture and creative technologies. The School of Future Environments - Huri te Ao strong industry partnerships and the unique combination of architecture and creative technologies within one school stimulates interdisciplinary research beyond traditional boundaries.

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Digital Twins Across the Asset Lifecycle: Technical, Organisational, Economic, and Regulatory Challenges
(MDPI AG, 2026-03-09) Dong, K; Moshood, TD
The construction industry faces persistent challenges in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Digital twin (DT) technology has emerged as a promising pathway for lifecycle optimisation, yet its construction adoption remains limited. Key barriers include fragmentation across project phases, weak data continuity at handover, and conceptual ambiguity between DT and Building Information Modelling (BIM). This systematic literature review analyses 160 peer-reviewed studies (2018–2026) selected from 463 Scopus records using a PRISMA-guided process and inter-rater reliability testing (Cohen’s κ = 0.83). The review clarifies that DTs extend beyond BIM in three ways: they enable bidirectional, automated physical-digital data exchange; integrate heterogeneous real-time sources such as IoT sensors and operational systems; and maintain lifecycle continuity from design through to end-of-life. Select advanced implementations report notable performance gains. These include rework and logistics reductions of up to 80%, cost savings of approximately 5%, schedule acceleration of around two months, energy reductions of 15–30%, and maintenance cost reductions of 10–25%. These figures reflect case-level outcomes from high-performing pilots and should not be read as typical industry benchmarks. Broader adoption remains constrained by interoperability gaps, data quality challenges, digital maturity deficits, misaligned stakeholder incentives, and paper-based regulatory environments. DTs represent a socio-technical transformation, not a standalone technology upgrade. Realising their potential requires coordinated progress in standards development, governance frameworks, collaborative delivery models, and workforce capability. Future research should focus on scalable interoperability, longitudinal lifecycle value validation, human-centred adoption strategies, and sustainability assessment methods to support evidence-based diffusion of DTs in the built environment.
Calcined Clays as Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Sustainable Construction: A Systematic Comparative Review of Mineralogy, Calcination Conditions, and Performance Outcomes
(MDPI AG, 2026-04-19) Kalatehjari, Roohollah; Rotimi, Funmilayo Ebun; Bihari, Renuka; Moshood, Taofeeq Durojaye
Cement production accounts for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, and while calcined clays have attracted growing attention as supplementary cementitious materials, the literature remains fragmented across clay types and performance metrics, with no unified comparative framework examining how mineralogical composition and calcination conditions jointly govern pozzolanic reactivity and downstream performance outcomes. This study addresses that gap through a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 32 peer-reviewed studies, validated by structured expert interviews, and a comparative assessment of five calcined clay categories: metakaolin (MK), limestone-calcined clay blends (LC3), illite-rich clays, montmorillonite (MM)- based clays, and ceramic waste (CW)- derived clays. Findings establish clear performance hierarchies with direct implications for the construction sector. MK at 10–15% cement replacement delivers compressive strength gains of 8–36%, chloride permeability reductions of 61–87%, and sulphate expansion reductions of up to 89%, confirming its suitability for high-performance, chemically aggressive-environment structural concrete. LC3 systems enable 30–50% clinker substitution, yielding an estimated 30–40% embodied CO2 reduction alongside 6–10% strength gains and 64–90% reductions in chloride migration, representing the most significant decarbonisation opportunity reviewed. Illite-rich clays reduce compressive strength by 6–25%, limiting application to non-structural uses despite moderate durability gains. MM-based clays exhibit highly variable performance, ranging from a 60% strength loss to an 8% gain, with workability penalties of up to a 90% slump reduction, constraining adoption. CW-derived clays achieve 50–69% reductions in chloride diffusion while valorising industrial waste, though strength reductions of 11–20% limit structural applications. Across all clay types, superplasticiser demand increases by 1.5–3.6 times, posing a universal cost and logistics challenge for practitioners in mix design.
Empirical Validation of the Next-Gen Digital Project Manager Competency Framework Through Exploratory Factor Analysis
(Emerald, 2026-04-10) Owais, Omar A; Poshdar, Mani; GhaffarianHoseini, Ali; Jaafar, Kamal; Sarhan, Saad
Purpose Digital transformation is reshaping project delivery in the construction sector, requiring Project Managers (PMs) to operate across increasingly complex technological, organisational, and sustainability-driven environments. Despite the growing importance of digital capabilities, there remains a lack of empirical evidence on the underlying structure of digital project management competencies in construction. This study aims to empirically validate the Next-Gen Digital PM Competency Framework for the construction sector. Design/methodology/approach Building on a previously developed and validated list of 55 digital PM competencies, survey data were collected from experienced construction professionals and analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) with Promax rotation was employed to examine the latent structure of the competency set. Findings The results confirm a statistically robust seven-factor competency structure, supported by eigenvalue thresholds, scree plot interpretation, and thematic coherence. A total of 25 competencies were retained and grouped into seven latent constructs: Digital Execution and Optimisation; Human-Centred Digital Leadership; Lifecycle Risk and Compliance Knowledge; Digital Sustainability Intelligence; Digital Tools Proficiency and Automation; Digital Content and Data Management; and Digital Transformation Enablement Skills. Together, these factors capture the multidimensional nature of digital PM capability across technical, behavioural, and cognitive domains. Originality/value This study provides one of the first empirically validated digital project management competency frameworks tailored to digitally transformed construction environments. The findings demonstrate that digital PM competency extends beyond technical proficiency to encompass leadership, governance-related capabilities (e.g. lifecycle risk and compliance), sustainability, and transformation-oriented capabilities. The resulting framework offers an empirically grounded foundation for competency assessment, workforce development, and targeted professional upskilling in digitally enabled construction environments, while establishing a statistically validated basis for future confirmatory analysis.
Unveiling the Roles and Effective Engagement of Stakeholders Involved in Sustainable Building Design and Practices
(Emerald, 2026-04-17) Poorisat, Tharaya; Aigwi, Itohan Esther; Doan, Dat Tien; GhaffarianHoseini, Ali
Purpose This study examines the roles and interrelationships of key stakeholders in Sustainable Building Designs and Practices (SBDPs) and how their collaboration influences the integration of Energy Efficiency (EE), Water Efficiency (WE), and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). It proposes a framework that combines Stakeholder Theory with Habermas' critical social theory to align objectives, bridge performance gaps, and advance sustainable building outcomes. Design/methodology/approach An integrative literature review (2013–2025) was employed using Scopus and Google Scholar (n = 86). Thematic analysis identified five primary stakeholder groups, including investors, producers, policymakers, users, and academics, and examined their interactions, collaborative mechanisms, and barriers. Insights informed the development of a stakeholder engagement framework grounded in both descriptive and normative theory. Findings Stakeholders hold distinct yet interdependent roles. Effective collaboration is crucial to closing the gap between design intent and realised performance, but is hindered by fragmented communication, conflicting priorities, and regulatory limitations. The proposed framework facilitates inclusive dialogue, shared objectives, and transparent decision-making. Research limitations/implications Reliance on secondary data and the predominance of studies from developed countries limit context-specific insights. Future research should incorporate empirical investigations across diverse regions to address institutional barriers and power imbalances. Practical implications The framework offers actionable strategies, such as stakeholder forums, participatory design processes, and lifecycle monitoring, to align EE, WE, and IEQ goals, improve efficiency, and enhance compliance of buildings with sustainability rating systems. Social implications SBDPs contribute to public health, resource conservation, and climate resilience, while inclusive engagement ensures equitable access to sustainable living and working environments. Originality/value The study introduces a novel framework that integrates descriptive and normative approaches, offering ethically grounded, practical strategies for enhancing global SBDP collaboration and stakeholders' collaboration.
Impact of Covid on Instructor Well-being Within ‘Studio’ Based Design and Construction Teaching
(European Council for Computing in Construction, 2025-07-14) McMeel, D; Petrovic, EK; Potangaroa, R; Jadresin-Milic, R
Studio-based pedagogy, integral to design and construction education, emphasizes hands-on exploration, collaboration, and face-to-face interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this model, shifting learning online and exacerbating workloads, pedagogical challenges, and community-building issues. This study investigates these effects through a survey of New Zealand educators, analyzed using inductive thematic methods. Findings highlight significant stress from tensions between traditional and online models, underscoring the urgent need for improved digital literacy, redesigned learning environments, and enhanced online community-building strategies. This research contributes insights into adapting studio-based pedagogy for resilient and effective online education.
Dynamic Characterization and Seismic Performance of a Fully-Floating Ceiling with Velcro-Secured Lay-in Tiles via Shake Table Tests
(Informa UK Limited, 2026-04-06) Tiwari, A; Bhatta, J; Dhakal, RP; Sullivan, TJ; Shrestha, RK; Yan, Z; MacRae, GA; Yu, J; Xiang, P; Rashid, M; Zhang, Y; Jia, L; Ramhormozian, S; Clifton, GC; Quenneville, P; Rodgers, G; Zhao, X
Grid-and-tile suspended ceilings, commonly used in commercial buildings, have historically suffered significant damage during earthquakes leading to financial losses, business disruption, and life-safety hazards. This study investigates the dynamic characteristics and seismic performance of a fully-floating ceiling, a low-damage ceiling concept that incorporates Velcro-secured lay-in tiles. In this system, Velcro tape, a novel addition, is used to secure the tiles to the Tees, aiming to prevent tile dislodgement during shaking. The ceiling was installed on the second storey of a three-storey steel-framed building and tested on a shake table under unidirectional and bidirectional shaking. These tests were part of the RObust BUilding SysTem (ROBUST) project, conducted at the International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering at Tongji University, China. During the experiments, the fully-floating ceiling was subjected to peak floor accelerations of up to 0.60 g simultaneously in the longitudinal and transverse directions (vector resultant of 0.85 g). The system exhibited median fundamental modal periods of 0.31 s and 0.40 s in the two orthogonal horizontal directions, with median damping ratios ranging from 2.39% to 3.63%. The peak displacement reached 40.6 mm, and the ceiling remained insensitive to torsional effects. The median acceleration amplification factor in the horizontal directions was 2.16, and the maximum vertical peak component ceiling acceleration was 1.01 g. No pounding between sprinkler heads and lay-in tiles was observed. Throughout the testing program, no damage was observed. These findings highlight the potential of the fully-floating ceiling as a low-damage, seismically resilient solution for use in buildings located in earthquake-prone regions.
Sustainable Practices for Building Construction in New Zealand
(MDPI AG, 2026-04-05) Bader, Mahmoud; Roy, Krishanu; Berry, Terri-Ann; de Graaf, Kim
Globally, sustainability indicators have become increasingly important in the building construction sector. While contractors play a critical role in advancing sustainability during the construction phase, there is limited guidance on the specific practices they should adopt. This study aims to address that gap by identifying sustainable practices relevant to building construction and developing an initial set of practical guidelines to support contractors in enhancing their sustainability performance. Based on a literature review and the author’s experiences in New Zealand, a list of 49 sustainable practices for building construction has been developed, addressing the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. The research focuses on the building construction phase and emphasises contractor-level key implementation challenges, such as regulatory barriers and the need for enhanced waste management during construction. The proposed list of practices can serve as a valuable tool to guide contractors’ commitment to sustainability and may inform contractor selection for future tender projects.
Contrasts Within New Zealand Cities: Perceived Liveability Across Five Neighbourhoods in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
(Emerald, 2026-03-17) Besen, Priscila; Burgess, Andrew; Vallis, Stacy; Morrison, Ann; Marks, Stefan; Piri, Imelda; Shafiei, Marzieh
Purpose: The design and maintenance of neighbourhoods can influence lifestyles, social interactions and quality of life. Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland’s urban form is marked by extensive urban sprawl and low-density residential-only zones. While a few studies have assessed liveability in selected Aotearoa/New Zealand’s neighbourhoods, studies that compare residents’ perceived liveability across different areas of Auckland remain limited. This study aims to examine urban liveability perceptions in various Auckland neighbourhoods to understand how the built environment and amenities impact residents’ quality of life. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research methodology was used, collecting data from 164 residents through an online questionnaire distributed in eight Auckland suburbs. Results from the neighbourhoods of Massey, Mt. Eden, Northcote, Takanini and Saint Heliers are discussed in this paper, comparing areas distributed geographically across the territory which show significant contrasts. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (Kruskal–Wallis) statistics and discussed with information from spatial mapping. Findings: Perceptions of liveability vary across neighbourhoods. The overall results show the highest perceived liveability in Mt. Eden and Saint Heliers, and the lowest in Takanini and Massey. Street type, age, disability and work routine also influence perception of liveability. Results align with social deprivation indexes, canopy cover, walking frequencies and proximity to the city centre: higher liveability levels were found in the least deprived and greener areas located closer to the city centre, where there are higher rates of walking. Originality/value: This study highlights the social dimensions of liveability using residents’ perceptions with a holistic approach, including factors such as amenities, infrastructure, transport, safety and sense of community. The findings inform socioeconomic and built environment indicators of liveability, helping to create evidence-based policies and design practices for sustainable and well-connected future neighbourhoods.
Trash to Treasure for Housing Resilience: A Systematic Literature Review of Community-Based Waste-to-Resource Innovations in the Built Environment
(MDPI AG, 2026-04-01) Rotimi, Funmilayo Ebun; Purushothaman, Mahesh Babu; Warkaka, Yakubu George
The built environment continues to encounter significant challenges related to waste generation and resource depletion, driving increased interest in circular economy strategies that extend material lifecycles and mitigate environmental impacts. This systematic review synthesises findings from 60 studies on waste-to-resource innovations across construction and household contexts. Although the existing literature predominantly addresses construction and demolition waste, this review foregrounds household operational waste, an area that remains insufficiently explored despite its importance for everyday resource recovery. The analysis examines how materials generated through routine use, maintenance, and minor renovation activities can be captured and redirected into productive resource streams, with particular attention to governance mechanisms such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The findings indicate that effective waste-to-resource systems depend on coherent regulatory frameworks and enforcement, economic incentives, enabling technologies, community engagement, and product design that facilitates reuse and disassembly. Key barriers include low public awareness, fragmented supply chains, high recovery costs, weak compliance mechanisms, and materials that are difficult to separate. The review concludes that improving waste-to-resource outcomes in the built environment requires coordinated action among producers, households, local authorities, and technology providers, and it articulates policy-relevant and community-oriented pathways to support more effective resource recovery systems.
Recent Advances and Effectiveness of Machine Learning Models for Fluid Dynamics in the Built Environment
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-06-27) Tran, Quang Van; Doan, Dat Tien; Yun, Geun Young
Indoor environmental quality is crucial for human health and comfort, necessitating precise and efficient computational methods to optimise indoor climate parameters. Recent advancements in machine learning (ML) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are promising. However, applying ML to complex building airflow presents challenges. This research aims to investigate the integration of ML with CFD in the context of built environment applications using a systematic review approach. It highlights a critical knowledge gap: the need to synthesise innovative approaches that address the limitations of indoor modelling using data-driven ML methods. The review examines contemporary literature, identifying current developments and suggesting potential future directions. It delves into the innovations in combining ML with CFD to predict thermal comfort and indoor air quality, uncovering key limitations such as the lack of high-quality experimental data for training and validation, the computational complexity of detailed CFD simulations, and the interpretability issues of ‘black-box’ ML models. The emergence of data-driven techniques in fluid mechanics offers promising prospects for modelling in the built environment. Future research should focus on incorporating physics-based rules in ML models, adapting turbulence closure models for indoor flows, and enhancing model validation using real-world datasets. The research emphasises the synergistic relationship between ML and CFD; it proposes pathways to overcome current limitations, aiming to enhance the precision and efficiency of indoor environment modelling through their integration.
Plot Subdivision Heterogeneity and Urban Resilience: Preservation, Multifunctionality, and Socio-Cultural Adaptability Across Global Case Studies
(MDPI AG, 2026-03-26) Lara-Hernandez, Jose Antonio; Melis, Alessandro
In an era of rapid urbanisation and climate challenges, understanding how urban land patterns contribute to resilience is crucial for sustainable development. This theoretical review introduces a novel framework positing that greater heterogeneity in plot sizes and land uses enhances urban resilience by promoting the long-term preservation of built environments, multifunctional spaces, and socio-cultural adaptability. Drawing on urban morphology, assemblage theory, and resilience science, we argue that fragmented ownership in small-plot fabrics acts as a barrier to large-scale redevelopment, fostering diversity that buffers against shocks. Through comparative case studies of Venice (Italy), Tokyo (Japan), Hong Kong, Mexico City (Mexico), and York (UK), we illustrate how historical small-plot subdivisions have endured centuries, supporting ecological, economic, and social sustainability. The analysis reveals common patterns: ownership fragmentation preserves fine-grained urban forms, enabling adaptive reuse (exaptation) and inclusivity. The five case studies serve an illustrative function, demonstrating how the theoretical linkages between plot heterogeneity, institutional friction, incremental transformation, and long-term resilience outcomes can plausibly operate in real-world historic urban fabrics. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by synthesising plot-level heterogeneity with broader resilience outcomes, offering policy implications for protecting such fabrics amid global urbanisation pressures. The findings align with land system science, emphasising multifunctionality for regenerative urbanism.
Connecting Perceived Flood Risk and Resilience in Auckland, New Zealand
(Elsevier BV, 2026-03-05) Vallis, Stacy; Piri, Imelda; Burgess, Andrew; Besen, Priscila; Morrison, Ann
New Zealand cities are shaped by a history of natural hazards. Climate change has amplified these risks, increasing frequency, intensity, and destructiveness, demonstrated by the nationwide impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods. Utilising anonymous cross-sectional survey and network analysis, this study responds to an existing knowledge gap to investigate the interrelationships between the perceived flood risk and perceived urban flood resilience using selected residential suburbs in Auckland, New Zealand, to support better alignment between urban residents’ needs and expectations for policymaking and implementation. Our study provides novel insights through identification of a Flood Resilience Perception cluster characterised by statistical associations between perceived flood risk and perceived urban neighbourhood flood resilience, namely, perception of safety from flooding, trust in local authorities, rainfall worry, distance from flooding source, perceived sufficiency in emergency response, and provision or receipt of assistance during flooding. These interrelationships indicate cognitive, behavioural and informational, sociocultural, and geographic and physical mediators collectively shape the perception of flood risk and resilience at the neighbourhood scale, supported by integrated quantitative and qualitative analyses. Our findings highlight opportunities for greater dialogue between residents and decision-makers through participatory flood risk governance, noting the gap between residents’ low awareness of existing digital flood risk communication tools and efforts to seek flood-related information, that can be addressed through improved engagement with existing public-facing flood risk provisions. The analysis pipeline is freely available and designed for use in territorial jurisdictions in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally to gauge community flood resilience.
Digital Transformation in Modern Zoos: Merging Technology, Nature-Based Environments and Ethical Principles
(Auckland University of Technology, 2025-12-03) Morrison, Ann; Viller, Stephen
Contemporary zoos are redefining their role in animal welfare and biodiversity conservation by integrating emerging technologies with nature-based designs and ethical care practices. Grounded in policy milestones like The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, 1973 and The Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992, these institutions address ecological challenges with innovative solutions while maintaining their focus on preserving biodiversity and ethical animal care. This paper examines how modern zoos integrate digital technologies into their operations, integrating advanced monitoring systems, automated welfare assessment tools, and nature-based habitat designs. Advanced technologies allow zoos to create tailored care strategies for animals, where enrichment designs and habitat characteristics align with species-specific needs. However, we identify challenges in standardizing technology adoption across institutions and maintaining the balance between digital innovation and naturalistic care approaches. Through case study analysis and examination of current practices, we show that successful technology implementation depends on careful alignment with ethical principles that prioritize animal autonomy and environ-mental integrity. The adoption of technology in zoos underscores their trans-formative role within the built environment. Our findings indicate that the most effective zoo operations integrate technological capabilities with nature-based design principles, creating environments where digital monitoring enhances rather than replaces natural behavioral patterns. This integration proves essential for zoos to fulfill their commitment to conservation while ensuring that animal welfare remains paramount. The research contributes to understanding how zoological institutions can leverage technological in-novation to advance biodiversity conservation without compromising the ecological and ethical foundations of species care
Summer Outdoor Thermal Risk Area Mapping on a University Campus in Auckland, New Zealand
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-12-18) Hashemi, S; Ghaffarianhoseini, A; Ghaffarianhoseini, A; Naismith, N; Barmomanesh, S; Sailor, D; Berardi, U
Outdoor thermal risks in urban areas are increasingly critical due to climate change and urbanization. This study identifies high-risk areas at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, using a multi-layered approach integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Locations with Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) exceeding 23°C were analyzed alongside user density and survey-based vulnerability assessments, pinpointing two high-risk zones. Future projections for 2050 and 2080 (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios) indicate rising PET levels, amplifying thermal discomfort. Mitigation strategies, including green walls and tree planting, demonstrated PET reductions of 2°C and 3°C, respectively, under current conditions. These findings underscore the critical role of greenery in enhancing outdoor thermal comfort and resilience. The study’s replicable methodology offers urban planners a practical framework for addressing thermal risks and adapting outdoor spaces to climate change impacts, fostering urban livability.
Causal Relationship Between Project Financing and Overruns in Major Dam Projects in Africa
(Emerald, 2024-07-31) Olatunji, OA; Rotimi, JOB; Rotimi, FE; Silva, CCW
Purpose: Cost and schedule overruns are rife in dam projects. Normative evidence espouses overruns as though they are inimical to development and prosperity aspirations of stakeholders. This study examines the causal relationship between project financing and overruns. Design/methodology/approach: Causative data were extracted from completion reports of 28 major dam projects in Africa. Each of the projects was financed jointly by up to 10 international development lenders. Relationships between causes of overruns and project outcomes were analysed. Findings: Analyses elicit indicators of remarkable correlations between finance procedures and project outcomes. Lenders’ disposition to risk attenuation was the main debacles to project success. Interests had mounted, whilst release of fund was erratic and ill-timed. Finance objectives and mechanisms were grossly inadequate for projects’ intense bifurcations. Projects had slowed or stalled because lenders’ risks attenuation processes were purposed to favour lenders’ objectives, and not projects’ interests. In addition, findings also show project owners’ own funds and the number of lenders to a single project correlate with overruns. Practical implications: Findings imply commercial complexities around major projects. They also show transactions are shaped by subtle (mis)trust behaviours in project finance procedures. Thus, scholarly solutions to project performance issues should consider behavioural issues of stakeholding parties more broadly, beyond contractors and project owners. Project finance ecosystems are vulnerable to major actors’ self-interests, opportunism and predatory conducts. Borrowers would manage this by developing and improving their capacity to build resilience and trust. Evidence shows intense borrower nations in Africa have limited capacity and acuity for these. Originality/value: This study contextualises megaprojects in complexity rather than cost. Its additionality is in how finance steers absolute control of project environment away from project owners and how finance administration triggers risks and overrun.
Comparative Analysis of Construction Businesses in New Zealand: Global Financial Crisis, Earthquakes, and COVID-19
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2026-01-27) Mirhosseini, F; Babaeian Jelodar, M; Wilkinson, S
Construction businesses are increasingly exposed to diverse and recurring crises, yet their resilience across different disruption types remains underexplored. Most existing research focuses on single events, overlooking the compounded effects of crises such as economic downturns, natural disasters, and pandemics. This study addresses that gap by analyzing how New Zealand construction businesses responded to three major disruptions: the 2008 global financial crisis, the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These cases were selected because they represent the most transformative economic, natural, and health-related shocks in recent New Zealand history, enabling a rare longitudinal and cross-crisis perspective. Using a qualitative, exploratory multi-case study approach, the research draws on 16 semi-structured interviews with industry professionals and a systematic literature review. To enhance validity, interview data were triangulated with secondary sources such as industry reports and government documents. Thematic analysis, supported by NVivo and guided by Resilience Engineering, Institutional Learning, and Systems Thinking, ensured robust and triangulated findings. Three consistent vulnerability areas emerged across all crises: contractual rigidity, supply chain fragility, and workforce constraints. These issues were intensified during COVID-19 due to extended uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and global logistics challenges. While some businesses innovated at the firm level, responses remained largely reactive, exposing sector-wide gaps in learning and foresight. The study offers a cross-crisis resilience framework linking business vulnerabilities to theoretical constructs and recommends adaptive contracts, diversified supply strategies, and institutional learning mechanisms to strengthen future preparedness in the construction sector. This framework advances both theoretical understanding and practical guidance for policymakers and industry leaders.
An Integrated Challenge–strategy Framework for Construction Waste Management in New Zealand: Behavioural and Organisational Challenges and Strategies
(Emerald, 2026-02-24) Doan, Dat Tien; Albsoul, Hadeel; Shobha, Athira Ravipillai; GhaffarianHoseini, Ali; Ghaffarianhoseini, Amirhosein
Purpose Rapid construction growth is increasing construction and demolition waste and associated environmental burdens. Construction waste management involves structured practices aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Despite its recognised benefits, implementing sustainable strategies remains challenging. This research aims to examine the challenges and potential solutions for managing construction waste in New Zealand, focusing on stakeholder perspectives and sustainable practices. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of Scopus and Google Scholar identified 43 eligible studies. Ten semi-structured interviews with New Zealand subject-matter experts complemented the review. Thematic synthesis was used to derive challenge domains, map barriers to coordinated strategy packages and develop an integrated conceptual framework. Findings Six challenge domains were identified: governance and compliance; infrastructure and resource capacity; financial constraints; waste management planning; culture and education and market availability and demand. Strategies addressing these challenges emphasise stakeholder collaboration, financial incentives, education, logistics and infrastructure planning and technological innovation. Public–private partnerships, certification schemes and procurement requirements were identified as enabling mechanisms that reinforce consistent waste-minimising decisions and accountability across supply chains. Practical implications The framework guides policymakers and practitioners in aligning regulation, incentives, collaboration and technology adoption to improve diversion and material value retention. It supports Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12 and 13 through innovation, responsible consumption and production and reduced waste-related emissions. Originality/value Integrating systematic review evidence with expert interviews, the study offers a New Zealand-focused challenge–strategy framework that explains how interacting institutional, organisational, and market conditions shape waste minimisation outcomes across design, construction and end-of-life stages.
Decarbonising Construction Logistics: The Role of Supplier-led Distribution and Integrated Warehousing
(Emerald, 2026-01-07) Dhawan, K; Tookey, J; Fredriksson, A; Tetik, M
Purpose – This study aims to examine how supplier-led distribution and integrated warehousing enhance transport efficiency and reduce embodied carbon in construction logistics. Focusing on plasterboard delivery in Auckland’s linear urban context, it examines how early supplier engagement and forward-stocking can reconfigure logistics operations to address spatial and operational challenges, decarbonising the construction supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – This case-based analysis uses empirical data from supplier-managed plasterboard distribution in Auckland to assess how logistics reconfiguration – supplier-led deliveries and integrated warehousing – impacts transport efficiency and carbon embodiment. Carbon outcomes are quantified using Environmental Product Declarations and New Zealand freight emissions benchmarks, with application of spatial analysis and supply chain modelling to evaluate the impacts of forward-stocking and supplier engagement on fragmented construction logistics. Findings – The study finds that supplier-led distribution, integrated warehousing and forward-stocking significantly enhance transport efficiency by consolidating deliveries and reducing vehicle movements, resulting in measurable embodied carbon reductions. It underscores the importance of early supplier engagement and spatially responsive logistics planning in addressing urban sprawl, demonstrating that reconfigured supply chains offer both operational and environmental benefits towards construction sector decarbonisation. Originality/value – The paper analyses the interplay of distribution, transport and warehousing in linear sprawl, proposing an integrated transport-driven warehousing model. It demonstrates improved efficiency through supplier-centric distribution and challenges status-quo transport life cycle assessment, typically overlooked due to data availability constraints. Theoretically, it extends employment of operations research, limited to manufacturing and freight transport, in construction as a defragmentation enabler. It also argues for municipalities to require logistics plans, to bridge policy-practice gaps.
Positive Pressure Ventilation Systems and Indoor Air Quality: PM₂.₅ Outcomes in Residential Buildings
(Elsevier BV, 2026-02-07) Hernandez, German; Borge, Rafael; Berry, Terri-Ann
Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) presents a risk to residential indoor environments, particularly during winter, when occupancy is high and natural ventilation is reduced. Evidence from intervention-based field studies is limited, especially under real-world, continuously occupied conditions. This study investigates the effects of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) systems on indoor PM₂.₅ concentrations in 24 homes across New Zealand. Using a pre-post intervention design, PM₂.₅ concentrations, temperature and relative humidity were measured in living rooms and master bedrooms over six week periods before and after PPV installation during winter. Following PPV installation, mean indoor PM₂.₅ concentrations decreased across all homes, with reductions ranging from 38% to 62%. Linear mixed effects regression modelling supported the observed reductions while accounting for outdoor PM₂.₅ and building characteristics. Indoor PM₂.₅ concentrations were higher in living rooms than in bedrooms, although post-intervention reductions were similar between rooms. Indoor-outdoor (I/O) ratios exceeded 1.0 in half of the homes prior to PPV installation and fell below 1.0 in most homes post-installation, indicating reduced dominance of indoor sources. Post-PPV reductions in indoor PM₂.₅ were larger during peak activity periods than non-peak periods and tended to be greater in homes with larger indoor-outdoor temperature differentials, suggesting that building envelope performance influences PPV effectiveness. This study presents field-based evidence that PPV systems can reduce indoor PM₂.₅ in homes during winter, especially where initial indoor concentrations are high and thermal separation from outdoors is greater. The findings highlight the combined importance of ventilation, envelope performance, and occupant behaviour in reducing indoor PM₂.₅ exposure.
Investigating the Connection Between Individual Resilience and Organisational Resilience
(MDPI AG, 2025-10-15) Mitansha, M; Potangaroa, R
Resilience has become a central theme in organisational research, particularly in sectors such as construction that face frequent disruption, complexity, and uncertainty. Although individual resilience (IR) and organisational resilience (OR) have been widely explored, their relationship remains conceptually fragmented and often assumed to be either linear or inherently aligned. This study, thus, examines how the IR–OR relationship has been conceptualised in the literature, explores the nature of their interdependence, and identifies future research opportunities. A reflexive thematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s framework, supported by NVivo 14 for data organisation and pattern identification. The analysis revealed gaps in how resilience is theorised and highlighted the absence of cohesive frameworks linking individual and organisational domains. In response, the study introduces three conceptual models: the stacked model, which treats IR and OR as hierarchical; the nested model, which reflects partial overlap; and the modified integrated model, indicating combined action of various factors. While this study draws on literature across all industries, the New Zealand construction sector is referenced as an illustrative example of a highly vulnerable sector where future empirical testing of the proposed models would be valuable. This research contributes to theory by reframing resilience as a relational construct shaped by numerous conditions. It also provides a foundation for future empirical studies and practical frameworks that embed resilience more holistically into organisational design, leadership development, and workforce strategy.

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