Making a case for offsite construction in China

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish manufactured construction as a good potential alternative to meet the growing housing needs of China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses literature review and case study as research methodologies. Literature review is used to identify the need for housing and establish the manufacturing prowess of China. The case study is used to look at how a similar problem has been tackled in the UK and then the case study findings are used to identify future direction for China.

Findings

Findings suggest that there is an acute shortage of housing in China, and at the same time the manufacturing sector in China is very strong. Therefore, in order to meet the housing demand for the population, manufactured construction offers a very attractive and cost‐efficient alternative.

Practical implications

Manufactured construction is an attractive alternative for China and therefore the government needs to encourage this sector through subsidies and tax benefits. Given that currently China is regarded as a manufacturing powerhouse, it will be relatively easy to establish manufactured construction as an organised and supported sector by the government.

Originality/value

The paper presents manufactured construction as an attractive alternative and strategic direction that China should adopt to meet the growing housing needs of the citizens. This also would appear to be an obvious alternative, given the manufacturing capabilities of China.

Citation

Arif, M. and Egbu, C. (2010), "Making a case for offsite construction in China", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 536-548. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699981011090170