Knowledge Gaps in the Construction Industry to Increase Societal Resilience: A Local and National Government Perspective

Chamindi Malalgoda, Dilanthi Amaratunga, Kaushal Keraminiyage, Richard Haigh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Over the last decade, a series of increasingly devastated natural disasters have been witnessed across the world. The disaster threats were further aggravated due to various social, economic and environmental trends, such as, growing population, urbanisation, inequality and global environmental change. This demanded a more proactive approach to reduce the vulnerability and exposure, and to increase resilience. For proper implementation of resilience measures, various efforts are required from construction practitioners. Accordingly, construction practitioners are expected to play a key role at each stage of the disaster management cycle.

However, recent literature concerning disasters has highlighted the inadequate engagement of the construction industry in reducing the risk of disasters. This emphasises the need to engage the construction professionals adequately, in achieving a resilient built environment. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to provide construction industries with the necessary capacity and capability to plan, design, build and operate in such a way that will reduce vulnerability and exposure, and increase resilience. In order to address this challenge, CADRE (Collaborative Action towards Disaster Resilience Education), which is an EU funded research project, intends to develop an innovative professional doctoral programme that addresses the career needs, and upgrade the knowledge and skills, of practising professionals working to make communities more resilient to disasters. Accordingly, the first phase of the research involved, capturing the needs of 5 stakeholder groups associated in disaster resilience and management as well as current and emerging skills and ultimately knowledge gaps, applicable to construction practitioners towards enhancing societal resilience to disasters. In this context, the paper aims to analyse the current and emerging knowledge gaps of construction practitioners as highlighted by the national and local government stakeholders. Accordingly, the paper provides an
extensive analysis of knowledge gaps, which were captured via 20 semi-structured interviews with national and local government stakeholders. Knowledge gaps were analysed in relation to social, technological, environmental, economic and institutional factors and property life-cycle stages. Some of the key knowledge gaps identified in the study are, business continuation management; damage assessments and claims; financing, budgeting and estimating; building codes, regulations and planning; resilient buildings and infrastructure; community empowerment; stakeholder management; legal frameworks and compliance; disaster risk assessment; environmental impact assessment and management; and knowledge management.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the CIB World Building Congress 2016
Subtitle of host publicationVolume V - Advancing products and services
EditorsNebil Achour
PublisherTampere University of Technology. Department of Civil Engineering
Pages543-556
Number of pages14
Volume5
ISBN (Print)9789521537455
Publication statusPublished - 26 May 2016
EventCIB World Building Congress 2016: Intelligent Built Environment for Life - Tampere Hall, Tampere, Finland
Duration: 30 May 20163 Jun 2016
http://www.wbc16.com/wbc16.html (Link to Conference Website )

Publication series

NameTampere University of Technology. Department of Civil Engineering. Construction Management and Economics. Report

Conference

ConferenceCIB World Building Congress 2016
Abbreviated titleCIB WBC 2016
Country/TerritoryFinland
CityTampere
Period30/05/163/06/16
Internet address

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