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Article
Publication date: 22 December 2020

Nur Adibah Binti Abdul Nasir, Ahmad Sanusi Hassan, Fatemeh Khozaei and Muhammad Hafeez Bin Abdul Nasir

Since the appearance of COVID-19 social distancing and staying home have been recommended repeatedly by the governments for disease prevention. As the challenge continues to…

Abstract

Purpose

Since the appearance of COVID-19 social distancing and staying home have been recommended repeatedly by the governments for disease prevention. As the challenge continues to remain the current study seeks to examine the factors affecting social distancing through space planning and management. More specifically the current study aims to examine the appropriateness of the spatial organization and space configuration of a clubhouse with a linear plan layout in the mitigation of the spread of infections due to serious pandemic COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

For an enhanced understanding of the impact of spatial arrangements of public spaces plan on the effective implementation of social distancing this study has used the space syntax analysis method. The MPSP clubhouse building in Penang, Malaysia was selected as the case study. The level of permeability and wayfinding were determined in the building plan and were illustrated using photoshop software to depict the interrelation between the indoor spaces and building circulation. Graphs of the depth of space were used to analyze the level of permeability and wayfinding to illustrate the possibility of social distancing in the plan.

Findings

The result of the study shows the significant role of proper plan layout design on social distancing. While clear and direct wayfinding can positively be associated with more effective social distancing, the inefficient design of user access, inappropriate locations of multiple entry and exit and indefinite directions of users' inside buildings can impose slight limitations. The average level of permeability might suggest ineffective spatial arrangement, ignoring the needs of spatial segregation. The study further found that the linear plan layouts with proper zoning and effective management strategies can be considered a proper layout to facilitate social distancing and the spread of COVID-19.

Originality/value

The current study is unique in terms of examination of the spatial configuration of linear public spaces plan layout for possible temporary adaptability to curb disease spread during the unexpected advent of a pandemic. Based on researchers' best of knowledge it is the first time that the impact of recreational space design on social distancing has been examined. The study also originally sheds light on the fact that the commonly used guideline for the social distancing of 1–2 m between 2 persons, in reality, is practically inadequate given the nature of the sports activities.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2022

Fatemeh Khozaei Ravari, Ahmad Sanusi Hassan, Muhammad Hafeez Abdul Nasir and Mohsen Mohammad Taheri

The study's main objective is to evaluate the morphological developments in the characteristics of the spatial configurations of the residential layouts in Kerman, Iran, in…

Abstract

Purpose

The study's main objective is to evaluate the morphological developments in the characteristics of the spatial configurations of the residential layouts in Kerman, Iran, in examining the impact on the level of visual privacy through the spectrum of permeability and wayfinding in space syntax analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, plan graph analysis is used to measure the syntactic properties of seven topological residential architecture plans in Kerman, Iran, built from the 1970s to 2010s. The methodology involves the development of mathematical measurements to signify permeability and simulation of visibility graph analysis (VGA) to indicate wayfinding.

Findings

The findings reveal the residential layouts of Iranian houses tend to be less integrated over decades of design development from the 1970s to 2010s. Reduction in spatial integration corresponds to increase segregation allowing for enhanced visual privacy. The study underpins that, even with the constraints in the scale of the house and reduction in the number of nodes, as evident in the design of the modern residential layout, the efficient level of visual privacy is still achievable with regards to the standards demanded by the local culture.

Originality/value

The study examines the development in residential spatial configuration and building scale on visual privacy through a proposed methodology based on the level of permeability and wayfinding measured as a combined effect using the space syntax analysis and visual accessibility.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2022

Abontika Sara Israt and Ahmad Sanusi Hassan

The purpose of this research is to examine the current physical qualities and activities of pedestrian environment from the perspective of the users' needs and perceptions for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the current physical qualities and activities of pedestrian environment from the perspective of the users' needs and perceptions for making user-friendly streets in Dhaka city.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study research approach was adapted with a mixed method approach in data collection and analysis to gather information about the interrelationship concerning the variables. The questionnaire survey and direct observation was conducted with the users of the streets to get the actual scenes of the study areas. For the findings, multiple sources of evidence were triangulated and used to analyze which were derived from the convergence of the data.

Findings

The findings of this study show that the needs for the factors which make people to use the street are similar with the previous theories derived by different scholars. The results establish that making of user-friendly street from the users' perspective has a significant relationship with the attributes of public spaces in the context of Dhaka. Correlation among the attributes of public spaces concerning sociability, uses and activities, access and linkage and safety, comfort and image showed the issues affecting the pedestrian environment toward a crucial condition in Dhaka city.

Research limitations/implications

Time allocation, inadequacy of secondary data sources and earlier research on this topic in the context of Dhaka city, were the primary limitations to let an in-depth and full exploration of the research.

Originality/value

The study provided a detailed representation of Dhaka's users' perception of the pedestrian environment. This study suggests a new perspective of bettering pedestrian experience in the city center.

Details

Open House International, vol. 47 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2021

Hilary Omatule Onubi, Nor'Aini Yusof, Ahmad Sanusi Hassan and Ali Ahmed Salem Bahdad

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had major impacts on the performance of construction projects that have adopted social distancing measures. This study…

Abstract

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had major impacts on the performance of construction projects that have adopted social distancing measures. This study examines the effect of social distancing measures on project schedule performance through job reorganization on construction project sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses were obtained through a survey of 154 construction projects and analysed using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.

Findings

The findings established that social distancing has a negative effect on schedule performance, social distancing has a positive effect on job re-organization and job re-organization has a positive effect on schedule performance. Additionally, the results indicate that job re-organization partially mediates the relationship between social distancing and schedule performance, while social distancing moderates the relationship between job re-organization and schedule performance with low social distancing having the stronger positive effect.

Originality/value

This study contributes theoretically to a greater understanding of the impact of adopting COVID-19 safety measures such as social distancing on the schedule performance of construction projects. The study also shows how social distancing could lead to schedule performance through job reorganization.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 November 2019

Hilary Omatule Onubi, Nor'Aini Yusof and Ahmad Sanusi Hassan

This study aims to assess the impact of adopting selected green construction site practices on the health and safety performance of the construction projects. The impact of…

1222

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess the impact of adopting selected green construction site practices on the health and safety performance of the construction projects. The impact of storm-water management, energy management and construction waste management on projects health and safety performance was also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to collect information from Class A contractors in Nigeria, and 168 usable responses were received. The data were analysed using the partial least squares (PLSs) structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The findings indicate that energy management and waste management practices have significant effects on the health and safety performance of the construction projects, while storm-water management has no effect.

Practical implications

Project and site managers need to take into consideration the skill set of their workforce when attempting to adopt new innovative construction strategies the workers are unfamiliar with in a changing construction environment. There is also a need for more training of workers on generic and specific green skills to avoid health and safety challenges on site.

Originality/value

The findings of this study make significant contribution to the debate on the health and safety performance of green projects, as only a few studies have been conducted on this topic. The empirical relationships between the constructs of energy management, waste management, storm-water management and health and safety performance are unique in the context of other related studies and have advanced the body of existing knowledge.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 December 2022

Hilary Omatule Onubi, Manuel Carpio and Ahmad Sanusi Hassan

Job satisfaction (JS) of construction workers is important in determining the level of green construction project performance. Despite the importance of construction workers' JS…

Abstract

Purpose

Job satisfaction (JS) of construction workers is important in determining the level of green construction project performance. Despite the importance of construction workers' JS in actualizing green construction projects' objectives, insufficient consideration has been accorded in green construction studies. This study aims to determine the link between green human capital (GHC), pro-environmental construction practice (PCP), green work climate (GWC) and JS. Precisely, the purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of GWC on the GHC and PCP relationship while analysing the moderating effect of GWC on the relationship between PCP and JS.

Design/methodology/approach

This research's data were collected through a survey questionnaire with 272 useable responses obtained. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used in the study's data analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that GHC was positively related to PCP; GWC had a significant mediating effect on the GHC–PCP relationship; PCP had a significant positive effect on JS; and GWC had a significant moderating effect on the PCP–JS relationship with high GWC yielding the greater effect.

Practical implications

This study gives a clearer picture of how GHC can lead to the adoption of PCP through GWC and translate to JS, thus providing stakeholders with the required information on firm-based initiatives that can promote the needed green behaviour on the construction site.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its contribution to both theory and practice as it provides greater insight into PCP alongside its antecedents and outcomes as it relates to the JS of construction project/site managers.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2022

Hilary Omatule Onubi, Ahmad Sanusi Hassan, Nor'Aini Yusof and Ali Ahmed Salem Bahdad

The COVID-19 health crisis has brought about a set of extra health and safety regulations, and procedures to the construction industry which could influence projects' economic…

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 health crisis has brought about a set of extra health and safety regulations, and procedures to the construction industry which could influence projects' economic performance (EP). The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of adopting COVID-19 safety protocols on construction sites on the economic performance (EP) of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the survey method using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from small- and large-sized construction projects in Nigeria and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.

Findings

The findings reveal that job re-organization and sanitization have negative significant effects on EP, while social distancing and specific training have no effect on EP. Furthermore, project size moderates the relationship between job re-organization, sanitization, specific training and EP with the stronger effect on the relationships observed in big projects, except for the relationship between sanitization and EP where the moderating relationship is stronger in small projects. However, there is no significant moderating effect of project size on the relationship between social distancing and EP.

Practical implications

As construction project sites continue to operate amidst strict safety protocols, this study offers theoretical and practical insights on how construction projects can adhere to the safety protocols while performing economically.

Originality/value

The originality of this study's findings stems from the fact that it is among the first to provide greater insight on how construction projects have fared economically considering the impact of the various COVID-19 protocols.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 June 2020

Hilary Omatule Onubi, Nor’Aini Yusof and Ahmad Sanusi Hassan

This study aims to examine the effects of green construction site practices on the economic performance of projects executed by “class A” contractors in Nigeria. The effects of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of green construction site practices on the economic performance of projects executed by “class A” contractors in Nigeria. The effects of stormwater management, materials management waste management and energy management on economic performance were examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through a survey of class A contractors in Nigeria, and 168 usable responses were received. The partial least-squares structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

It was observed that all the green construction practices studied had significant effects on the economic performance of construction projects with the greatest effect from energy management.

Practical implications

The results imply that green construction practices generally lead to economic performance. The study has both theoretical and practical implications, as it helps both policymakers and contractors better understand the relationships between these variables of green construction practices and economic performance to better plan for their projects and for the government to formulate appropriate policies.

Originality/value

The study’s findings makes significant contributions to the ongoing discussion on the relationship between green construction practices and economic performance. The relationship established between stormwater management, waste management, materials management, energy management and economic performance in this study is different when compared with those in other similar studies.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction , vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2012

Fatemeh Khozaei, T. Ramayah, Ahmad Sanusi Hassan and Lilis Surienty

This study aims to examine the possibility that housing satisfaction mediates the relationship between fulfilled preference and a sense of attachment to place.

1998

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the possibility that housing satisfaction mediates the relationship between fulfilled preference and a sense of attachment to place.

Design/methodology/approach

A 15‐item questionnaire was administrated to 751 students residing in residence halls at a public university in Malaysia. The respondents were asked to choose their answer from a four‐point Likert scale that was constructed as follows: not at all; very little; mostly; and very much.

Findings

The results of the survey revealed that housing satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between fulfilled preferences and sense of attachment to place. These results highlight the importance of students' fulfilled preferences. It reveals that the more students' preferences regarding residence hall were fulfilled, the more they were satisfied with their residence hall and felt attached to it.

Originality/value

The findings of this study emphasise the importance of understanding students' residence hall needs and fulfilling their desire. These findings also emphasize that university students must not be viewed merely as temporary residents who stay in residence halls for just a few years.

Article
Publication date: 4 August 2014

Fatemeh Khozaei, Ahmad Sanusi Hassan, Kheir Al Kodmany and Yasser Aarab

The aim of this paper is to identify the university student’s preferences for some important attributes of residence hall design. The study also attempts to highlight the…

2554

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to identify the university student’s preferences for some important attributes of residence hall design. The study also attempts to highlight the differences and similarities in student’s preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was distributed among students who were living in residence halls of a public university in Malaysia. A total of 752 students were recruited as participants. Data were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. Students were asked to indicate their preferences rating a 4-point scale. The survey included questions concerning students’ preferences for residing in traditional and suite-style residence halls, single room and double room as well as rooms in which each student’s area is marked clearly. Collected data were analysed using PASW Statistics 17.

Findings

The results indicated that, in total, students highly preferred residing in suite-style to traditional residence halls. Staying in a single room with shared bathroom was also preferred to double-sharing room. The results of study also indicated that living in a room in which each student ' s area is marked clearly is of great interest. The study proved significant differences in the students’ preferences based on their gender, nationality and study level.

Practical implications

The outcome of this study can enhance the awareness of residence hall organizers and architects with regard to some of students’ priorities.

Originality/value

The results give an important insight into student’s preferences towards their residence hall. The study provides statistic evidence unfavourably of traditional residence halls among the students of new generation. It also provides an insight into students ' greater needs and requirements for privacy.

Details

Facilities, vol. 32 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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