Concomitant impediments to the implementation of smart sustainable practices in the built environment

Abstract

The paper examines the major barriers to the application of smart tools to enhance the implementation of sustainability practices in the built environment. The study collated 38 types of impediments from a comprehensive desktop review of the literature, and the data collected were further subjected to expert review via the use of empirical questionnaire surveys. The perceptions of 220 professional respondents from 21 countries were collated via the surveys for statistical analysis and classification purposes. The study findings revealed the significant impediments as related to inadequate knowledge and skills, the current market structure and inherent resistance to change in the built environment, and organizational challenges, among others. A comparative analysis of the perceptions of the diverse groups of survey participants was conducted and discussed. The adoption of the survey findings is envisaged to help the built environment in minimizing the impact of these barriers and can serve as a policy instrument and useful guidelines for government agencies, stakeholders, and others towards ensuring BIM can be used to deliver the full potential of sustainability practices in the construction industry. The study has provided effective practical strategies and recommendations for enhancing the implementation of smart sustainability practices in the built environment.