– Dr. Gautam Pant, Associate Director Programmes, School of Construction, RICS School of Built Environment, Amity University, Noida
Enhanced mechanization is the hallmark of the economic growth of human civilization. Initially, efficiency drove the demand for mechanization. Subsequently, the focus of the business shifted to effectiveness driven by customer focus. Increased economic growth was accompanied by its fallouts, owing to a focus on the shareholders. Environmental changes are forcing businesses to increasingly realize the importance of sustainable growth.
The construction sector also mirrors the growth in the industry with increased automation of processes. The scenario in India however is typical. Growth in infrastructure is wanting to propel the growth of the industry and GDP. Ironically, construction activities are noted to be a source of pollution, particularly in Indian metros. The level of digitalization is not uniform in India. Enhanced digitization would enhance both the effectiveness and efficiency of the construction processes, but sustainability requires us to go beyond, towards value engineering of the processes and reconceptualization of the structures and the materials used. Moreover, the issue associated with the utilization of demographic dividend available in India, and redeployment and reskilling of the manpower is another challenge that accompanies the digitization process.
Various research papers have documented that India lags behind the world in the digitization of the construction process. The progress is there but it is fragmented. The engineering process witnesses the adoption of BIM and other technologies. However, the growth is limited because of the cost involved for small projects and lack of skilled manpower. BIM is a lean philosophy that also requires a shift in working culture and associated work processes. The UK has been able to move towards a regime guided by BIM and an associated framework. A review of the Indian construction processes and policies and associated monitoring mechanism is also needed to be made to plan the road towards aligning the construction towards BIM. This would ensure lean construction practices and enhanced construction quality and speed.
A cultural shift towards treating contracting agencies as partners would also be required. The classical approach of the power balance shifted towards the client, needs to be relooked. The construction industry is also driven primarily by hierarchical organizations, which value experience. Adoption of technology would be quicker by the younger generation joining such organizations at the bottom of the hierarchy. Lack of reverse mentoring, a fall out of power distance, associated with hierarchy, would slow down the pace of change. At the same time, one needs to recognize the underlying beliefs of the leaders, who might associate open systems with loss of power and authority.
On the other hand, we are still moving ahead with the use of classical construction materials, such as steel and cement. Fly ash utilization, though has been increasing with the use of portland pozzolana cement, is yet to reach the desired levels, despite the proven benefits of enhanced workability and durability of the resultant concrete. The growth in the renewable energy sector has been appreciable, but we still have a long way to go, in terms of reduction in the production of fly ash. Recycling of plastic and use of resultant material and other solutions have been demonstrated to reduce the carbon footprint, but the large scale adoption, typically in the construction of the multi-stories and infrastructure-related structures, which are the demand of rapid urbanization, is still wanting.
The scenario about sustainable construction in the Indian context is therefore not dismal but is surely challenging. The approach has to be to have a holistic strategy that addresses all the issues, enhance affordability, usage of technology, and value engineering of the entire construction process. The key lies in addressing the cultural mindset regarding technology adoption and value engineering by requisite training and development. In my opinion educational institutes have a large role to play by providing thought leadership and training to create a conducive mindset and environment.
Also read: Amity University webinar on “Climate Action for Sustainable Planet”.
