In this issue of Engineering Sustainability, we have three papers related to construction with an interest in how to engage stakeholders and encourage them to consider sustainability issues. The first two papers investigate how to better inform the construction industry about sustainability issues and change practice. The third provides persuasive evidence that sustainable construction need not compromise the quality or performance of the materials used.
The first of these papers (Siew, 2015) takes an industry-wide perspective and aims to understand more about the preparedness of the construction sector to adapt to current and future sustainability threats. Siew identifies the major sustainability ‘megaforces’, such as climate change, resource scarcity, ecosystem decline, and so on, that are most relevant to the construction industry in Australia and then evaluates the degree to which firms are responding to them. Further, the paper attempts to understand what is motivating firms to manage their risks, adapt and change. As one might expect, Siew finds that many firms are slow to take action and the author concludes that there is a lack of understanding about sustainability issues in the construction sector.
On the other end of the spectrum, the paper by Galiotto, Heiselberg and Knudstrup (2015) focuses on the process of improving sustainability actions by individual homeowners. With an eye toward adapting existing buildings to be more energy efficient, the authors introduce the Integrated Renovation Process for Homes (IRP4homes). This is a holistic methodology to engage owners of single-family homes in the sustainable renovation process. The paper outlines the multiple-criteria decision-making methods that intend to provide the homeowner with more information and interaction with professionals and agencies to frame problems and selection options. Then, the authors describe the successful application of IRP4homes to two case studies of single-family homes in Denmark. Based upon these case studies, this tool shows promise for increasing energy efficiency of homes by overcoming some of the major barriers that homeowners face when considering renovations.
The last paper provides a specific and more technical view of construction materials. Aghaee, Yazdi and Yang (2015) analysed the mechanical properties of gypsum panels with textile waste fibres and glass fibre mesh inserted in the core of gypsum panels. Their results are encouraging because the use of these recycled materials improves the performance of the panels. Thus, their research provides evidence to support sustainability efforts that encourage the re-use of materials, reducing landfill waste and conserving virgin materials while at the same time providing a higher performing construction material.
These papers address some dimension of the issue of how to prompt the construction industry to embrace sustainability by emphasising the links between this industry and specific threats, engaging and educating homeowners in the process of sustainable renovations, and demonstrating that recycled materials can have higher performance. I enjoyed reading these papers, which are outside my professional domain of transportation. They introduced me to new aspects of sustainable engineering and as such, broadened my awareness of the issues. For me, these papers were seemingly unrelated at first glance. Upon further reflection, I was able to draw new connections and insights and they emphasised the need for the engineering profession to consider the sustainability issues at the various scales and domains in which we operate. I hope that you enjoy reading and reflecting upon these papers as much as I did.
