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Developing an Enhanced Framework of Sustainability Deliverables in Ghanaian Highway Construction Projects

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Thesis(4.37 MB)

Date

2024

Authors

Supervisor

Tookey, John
Rotimi, Funmilayo Ebun

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Doctor of Philosophy

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Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

It is the responsibility of the construction sector to meet the sustainability demands of our society. The integration of sustainability principles into road and highway infrastructure development in Ghana, addressing a critical gap in existing research and practice within the context of developing countries. It advanced the guidelines aim to optimize the discourse on sustainable construction by identifying and evaluating the relative importance of sustainability indicators, examining professional perceptions towards these indicators, and formulating decision-support guidelines to enhance sustainable outcomes in road and highway projects. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review, the study first identifies a broad range of potential sustainability indicators relevant to the construction of roads and highways. This foundational work underpins the subsequent empirical research phases, which employ both quantitative and qualitative methods to refine and contextualize these indicators within Ghana's specific development challenges and opportunities. Through a questionnaire survey, the research rigorously assesses the perceptions of key stakeholders—comprising engineers, project managers, contractors, consultants, and environmental consultants—on the criticality of identified sustainability indicators. This quantitative phase, analysed through Inferential statistical analysis, isolates 29 critical indicators, underpinning the development of a conceptual model that categorizes these indicators into six main sustainability pillars: economic value, environmental impact, social equity and culture, technical quality, project implementation and management, and resource utilization and management. Semi-structured interviews with industry professionals further reveal the practical implications, challenges, and strategies related to the integration of these sustainability indicators into road and highway projects. Through thematic analysis, these qualitative findings yielded comprehensive action plans across all critical indicators, with policy development, capacity building and training, stakeholder engagement and collaboration are the key implementation strategies. This qualitative inquiry not only validates the empirical findings from the survey but also deepens the understanding of sustainability's multifaceted nature in infrastructure development. One of the thesis's key contributions is the development of decision-support guidelines that leverage the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis framework. These guidelines offer a novel approach for project managers and designers to systematically evaluate and incorporate sustainability considerations into their projects. By facilitating an in-depth assessment of internal and external project factors, the guidelines aimed to optimize sustainability outcomes across the six identified pillars. The research reveals a complex interplay between sustainability indicators and project outcomes, highlighting the crucial role of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and the adoption of innovative practices and technologies in promoting sustainable infrastructure development. Moreover, it emphasized the need for comprehensive policy support and capacity building among industry professionals to embed sustainability deeply within Ghana's road and highway construction sector. In conclusion, this thesis made significant contributions to academic knowledge by expanding the understanding of sustainability in road and highway infrastructure development, particularly in the context of Ghana and, by extension, similar developing countries. It also offered practical contributions by providing actionable guidelines for industry practitioners, aiming to bridge the gap between sustainability theory and practice. The research findings and developed guidelines served as a critical resource for policymakers, project managers, and designers committed to advancing sustainable infrastructure development in Ghana and beyond.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18386

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Doctoral Theses