ABSTRACT
This research investigates the role of quantity surveyors in sustainable development in Lagos state. To determine the considerations that affect quantity surveyors’ perceptions towards sustainability an online survey was formed of both structured and semi-structured questions that were issued out to Lagos quantity surveyors. This study administers online surveys distributed online to quantity surveyors on the NIQS and the Green Building Council database consisting of 1499 registered members and 59 members respectively. Furthermore, in depth interviews were carried out with four quantity surveyors who had experience with green building projects. Lagos is accustomed to traditional building methods and the adoption of and adaptation to alternative building techniques is challenging to implement in the industry. The main barriers to sustainable building designs were the perceived higher cost of the materials as well as the lack of training and knowledge consultants have on material choices. The research concludes that Quantity surveyors are aware that they play a minor role player on project teams when it comes to providing alternative building specifications. It was acknowledged that quantity surveyors have limited experience on sustainable technologies and that further training and education in this regard is essential for them to add value to projects.
CHAPTER ONE
Sustainable development and construction seek to improve the quality of human life (Hill and Bowen, 1997). As the importance and awareness of sustainable development is growing (Ekundayo et al., 2011), it is important to consider what attributes can be managed to achieve the sustainability goals. Mora (2007) considers the management of materials as one of the main solutions to achieving sustainability. According to Treloar et al. (2001), the following principles are considered when specifying appropriate building materials for green buildings:
- Using materials with considerable amounts of recycled content such as bricks, timber and steel materials;
- Considering the possibility of a second use for the materials at the end of the buildings life although there is no guarantee that they will be reused;
- Making use of reused products;
- Having minimal construction waste from inception to project closeout;
- Choosing products with a long life. Selecting materials that are more durable in the long run will have a reduced environmental impact as compared to remanufacturing the same product again; and
- Applying financial life cycle costing on the selection of materials with the aim of having a minimal life cycle
The above criteria is further supported by Mora (2007) who argues that in order for the built environment to comply with sustainability, projects should involve the use of renewable and recyclable materials.
The research problem can be stated as follows:
Informed quantity surveyors have the opportunity to provide not only financial advice at the design stage which considers the capital costs, risks and value aspects but, factors that drive sustainability as well as the impact of the building’s lifecycle costs. Quantity surveyors arguably have sufficient knowledge and skills to advice clients and consultants on sustainable issues but fail to do so.
1.3 Research Question
The research question has a primary question with four subsidiary questions:
Do quantity surveyors have sufficient knowledge in sustainable building developments to effectively engage and advise on strategies for sustainable specifications at a project planning level?
From the above primary question, four subsidiary questions need to be subsequently addressed:
- How can we identify quantity surveyors who are sufficiently knowledgeable and can provide sustainability advice?
- Where do quantity surveyors attain the knowledge regarding sustainable building developments?
- What is the quantity surveyors’ impression to giving advice on alternative building materials based on their knowledge of the building industry and previous experience?
- To what extent do quantity surveyors perceive themselves to be able to influence project changes at planning stages in favour of sustainability?
- What are the factors that influence quantity surveying practices to adopt a different mind-set to sustainable thinking and pricing?
1.4 Research aim and objectives
This research aims to provide insight into the perceptions of quantity surveyors on their ability advising sustainable building developments at the project planning phase in Lagos.
The following objectives of this research to:
- Determine the self-perception of quantity surveyors towards advising on alternative building specifications for sustainable buildings designs;
- To understand how to recognize quantity surveyors with the appropriate knowledge to provide insights on sustainable building;
- Establish to which degree, their willingness to give advice on sustainable building materials based on their knowledge of the building industry and previous experience;
- Gauge the ability of quantity surveyors to influence project changes at planning stages in favour of sustainability; and
- Identify factors that influence quantity surveying professionals to adopt a different mind-set to sustainable thinking and material
1.5 Limitations
This study did not focus on the perceptions of quantity surveyors towards sustainability aspects outside Lagos. Furthermore, the research was limited to the role quantity surveyors played in the initial pre- contract stage in projects and not during project execution.
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