An empirical survey of the perceived benefits of executing BIM and sustainability practices in the built environment
Timothy Oluwatosin Olawumi is a full-time PhD Research Student under the supervision of Dr Daniel Chan at the Department of Building and Real Estate, Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research interest includes building information modeling (BIM), sustainable construction and informatics, environmental engineering, project management and construction technology. He is an Associate Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Project Management (AHKIPM).
Dr Daniel W.M. Chan is an Associate Professor in Construction Project Management and the Associate Head (Teaching and Learning) at the Department of Building and Real Estate, Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research interests include construction time performance (CTP), construction procurement systems, relational and collaborative contracting, target cost contracting (TCC) schemes, New Engineering Contract (NEC), public private partnership (PPP) and construction safety management, with over 220 research publications so far. He is also a Member of the Association for Project Management (MAPM), Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (MHKICM) and Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (MASCE). He is also a Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Project Management (MHKIPM), Member of the Australian Institute of Project Management (MAIPM), Member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (MCABE) and Member of the Australian Institute of Building (MAIB). He is a Chartered Building Engineer (United Kingdom) and Registered Construction Manager (Hong Kong).
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 2 May 2019
Issue publication date: 6 June 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing urbanization of the built environment has bolstered the need to promote green Building Information Modeling (BIM) initiative in new construction projects and the rehabilitation of old premises. This study aims to explore and examine the key benefits of the implementation of BIM and sustainability practices in the built environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study gathered the worldwide perceptions of 220 survey participants from 21 countries which were analyzed using descriptive and inferential analytical methods. The identified individual benefits of green BIM were further categorized into their underlying clusters using factor analysis.
Findings
The key benefits are related to enhancing project efficiency and productivity, ensuring real-time sustainable design and multi-design alternatives, facilitating the selection of sustainable materials and components, together with reducing material wastage and project’s environmental impact, among others. The study analyzed and compared the perceptions of the diverse groups of the respondents as well.
Practical implications
Effective blueprints and insightful recommendations for enhancing the various stakeholders’ capacities to implement green BIM in their construction projects were put forward to achieve the aim of sustainable smart urbanization.
Originality/value
The study identified salient benefits of the adoption of BIM and sustainability practices. The proper integration of these concepts and the execution of the recommended useful strategies by construction stakeholders, policymakers and local authorities will enable the built environment to reap the gains of its implementation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research study was initially supported by the research funding of the Sustainable City Laboratory and subsequently supported by the full-time research studentship under the auspice of the Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Citation
Olawumi, T.O. and Chan, D.W.M. (2019), "An empirical survey of the perceived benefits of executing BIM and sustainability practices in the built environment", Construction Innovation, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 321-342. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-08-2018-0065
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited