Barriers and Drivers to the Adoption of Sustainable Construction Practices in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Venezuela

Abstract

Several efforts have decreased the environmental footprint from the construction field in developed countries. In contrast, sustainability is often overlooked in developing countries due to unstable economies, monopoly, and inadequate policies, among others. It is evident from recent studies that sustainable construction practices are urgently needed in developing countries to reinstate construction methods, which in their current state deplete resources, damage the environment, and threaten the stakeholders’ health and well-being. Venezuela, a developing country in Latin America, is currently experiencing such issues within the construction industry due to political and economic cataclysms in addition to humanitarian, environmental, and health facets. This study seeks to identify key information that will facilitate the comprehensive understanding of major barriers and drivers to the adoption of proven sustainable construction practices, particularly in Venezuela. To achieve this objective, the study conducted a systematic literature review as well as multiple focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys to construction stakeholders in Venezuela. The analysis of the survey results confirmed that there are delays in the integration of sustainable construction practices due to factors such as inflation, lack of environmental awareness, and corruption, among others. The results also highlighted that professionals with higher academic backgrounds and trained for sustainable construction practices, particularly women professionals, are more likely to advocate for such practices within Venezuela. The findings of this study contribute to two bodies of knowledge: first, the construction management through embracing sustainable planning, design, and construction within the built environment; and second, sustainable construction through encouraging the adoption of integrative project delivery methods as well as sustainable training and practices specifically in developing countries. This paradigm shift toward embracing sustainable practices in developing countries promises the reduction of environmental impacts while nurturing a healthier built environment. Moreover, it also highlights the critical need to encourage solving such barriers and ensuring a sustainable future.