RESOURCE FLOW ANALYSIS: MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION

The construction industry is a major user of natural resources and as such has the potential to play a significant role in delivering sustainable development in the UK. Sustainability is discussed in reference to resource productivity. To measure progress towards resource productivity robust data and indicators of success are required. This paper introduces the concept of resource flow analysis as a tool and describes a study adopting this methodology to quantify the resource use of the construction industry. The total annual material resource requirement for the construction industry was identified to be over 420 million tonnes (Mt) in 1998. Data are presented on the material use, waste and emissions from the construction industry. Trends and influences on the industry in terms of resource use were examined. Design was identified as the area where the greatest degree of positive influence lies for the industry. Engineers, specifiers and product designers are ideally placed to move the resource productivity debate forward by focusing on factors such as design for longevity, flexibility of use and lean design. Recommendations are made to improve the resource productivity of the industry. It is concluded that the absence of a body able to provide strategic direction specifically for the construction industry is a fundamental obstacle to achieving resource productivity. (A)

• Corporate Authors:

  Thomas Telford Limited

  London,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • GRIFFITHS, PIJ
  • Smith, R A
  • KERSEY, J
• Conference:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. ENGINEERING SUSTAINABILITY
• Publication Date: 2003-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 147-55
• Serial:
  • Volume: 156
  • Issue Number: ES3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building materials; Construction; Design; Pollutants; Sustainable development
• Uncontrolled Terms: Use
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 3655: Construction; 9011: Design (overall design); 2442: Emission; 4555: Material (constr); 2427: Sustainability; 8119: United Kingdom; 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00968989
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Feb 6 2004 12:00AM