Infrastructure construction in developing countries: a shared approach to sustainability

The oil and gas and extractive industries face the constant challenge of locating new resources in remote parts of the developing world. Skill shortage, inhospitable locations and outdated engineering practices and technology characterise these projects. Companies operate under fixed-period concessions, which place huge time pressures on the exploration and production cycle. Construction of the associated civil engineering infrastructure is often on the critical path. These projects typically use pools of foreign skilled workers and large volumes of imported materials and equipment. The cost and carbon dioxide emissions associated with logistics alone are enormous. Overcoming these challenges calls for a critical rethink in the way traditional civil engineering construction practice is undertaken. This paper reports on the implementation of a sustainability management and resource training framework by a foreign consulting and advisory firm. The framework examines in-country labour skill sets, natural resource and technology relevant to project needs, identifying constraints and knowledge gaps. Innovative engineering solutions that maximise use of local workforce, materials and technology are subsequently designed in line with project timelines. Case studies from Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, demonstrate that the framework is an effective tool for human resource development and sustainability management.