Short answer
Focus on bridging knowledge and awareness gaps through targeted education and communication strategies, as these are perceived as more significant impediments to sustainable construction than upfront costs.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies (2020)
- Method
- Survey-based quantitative research and scale development.
- Sample
- Not explicitly stated in the abstract, but implied to be a significant number of professionals within the Turkish construction industry.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Designers and construction professionals perceive a lack of knowledge and awareness as more significant obstacles to implementing sustainable practices than the initial investment costs. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies. Using Survey-based quantitative research and scale development. with Not explicitly stated in the abstract, but implied to be a significant number of professionals within the Turkish construction industry., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on bridging knowledge and awareness gaps through targeted education and communication strategies, as these are perceived as more significant impediments to sustainable construction than upfront costs.
Information and Awareness Gaps are Greater Barriers to Sustainable Construction Than Cost
Designers and construction professionals perceive a lack of knowledge and awareness as more significant obstacles to implementing sustainable practices than the initial investment costs.
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Information deficiency barrier
- 02Education disability barrier
- 03High investment cost barrier
- 04Awareness barrier
- 05Academic inadequacy barrier
Application
Design takeaway
Focus on bridging knowledge and awareness gaps through targeted education and communication strategies, as these are perceived as more significant impediments to sustainable construction than upfront costs.
How to apply
When designing sustainable building projects, consider incorporating comprehensive educational components for the project team and end-users, and develop clear communication strategies to highlight the benefits and feasibility of sustainable approaches.
Project actions
- 01When researching sustainable design, consider surveying professionals to understand their perceived challenges.
- 02Develop a scale or questionnaire to measure specific barriers related to your design project's context.
- 03Analyze the results to see if awareness or cost is a bigger issue for your target users or industry.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Develops a specific scale for measuring barriers to sustainable construction.
- +Identifies distinct categories of barriers through factor analysis.
- +Provides empirical data from a specific industry context.
Limitations
This study focused on one country; barriers might differ in other regions. The study relies on self-reported data, which can be influenced by personal biases.
Reliability & validity
The use of explanatory factor analysis suggests a rigorous approach to scale development, aiming for construct validity. Reliability would typically be assessed through internal consistency measures (e.g., Cronbach's alpha) for the developed scale, though not detailed in the abstract.
Think critically
If awareness and education are bigger barriers than cost, what innovative design strategies can be employed to increase both knowledge and perceived value of sustainable construction, beyond traditional marketing or cost-saving arguments?
Design Principles
"Effective sustainable design implementation requires addressing both the knowledge and motivational aspects of stakeholders, not just the economic factors."
Understanding the primary drivers that hinder sustainable construction is crucial for developing effective strategies. This insight suggests that efforts focused on education, training, and public awareness campaigns may yield greater returns in promoting sustainability than solely addressing financial incentives or cost reductions.
What This Means for Your Design
People building things think it's harder to be 'green' because they don't know enough or aren't aware of the benefits, rather than just because it costs more money.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the importance of addressing specific barriers in your design project's context.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing the challenges of sustainable design implementation.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that professionals in the construction industry perceive a significant gap in information and awareness as greater barriers to sustainable practices than the initial investment costs. This suggests that educational initiatives and targeted communication campaigns are critical for fostering the adoption of sustainable methods, alongside addressing financial considerations.
Source
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
Potential Barriers to Sustainable Construction: A Model Proposal
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about information and awareness gaps are greater barriers to sustainable construction than cost?
- Focus on bridging knowledge and awareness gaps through targeted education and communication strategies, as these are perceived as more significant impediments to sustainable construction than upfront costs. Evidence: Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies (2020).
- Why does "Information and Awareness Gaps are Greater Barriers to Sustainable Construction Than Cost" matter for design?
- Understanding the primary drivers that hinder sustainable construction is crucial for developing effective strategies. This insight suggests that efforts focused on education, training, and public awareness campaigns may yield greater returns in promoting sustainability than solely addressing financial incentives or cost reductions.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Focus on bridging knowledge and awareness gaps through targeted education and communication strategies, as these are perceived as more significant impediments to sustainable construction than upfront costs.
- What were the main findings?
- Information deficiency barrier. Education disability barrier. High investment cost barrier. Awareness barrier
- What research method was used?
- Survey-based quantitative research and scale development. with Not explicitly stated in the abstract, but implied to be a significant number of professionals within the Turkish construction industry..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing sustainable building projects, consider incorporating comprehensive educational components for the project team and end-users, and develop clear communication strategies to highlight the benefits and feasibility of sustainable approaches.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the Turkish construction industry and may not be universally applicable. The study relies on self-reported perceptions, which can be subjective.