2026-03-23
TIMOTHY ADU GYAMFI, Stanley Owuotey Bonney, Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
A paradigm shift towards sustainable urban development is represented by the building industry's adoption of smart city ideas. The construction sector can play a key part in creating cities of the future, as smart city initiatives continue to gain traction. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the approaches to deliver smart cities for sustainable development in the construction industry in Ghana, utilising principal component analysis. The study used questionnaire instrumentation and quantitative research methods. Of the 350 respondents, 317 were purposively sampled to answer the questionnaire. The study found that there are two distinct methods for delivering smart cities: integrated and collaborative service platforms (ICSPs) and technology and data-driven approaches (TDAs). The major discoveries under ICSPs include integrated service delivery platforms, collaborative governance, smart building solutions, and smart health services. Key revelations under TDAs comprise cloud computing, integrated transport systems, co-creation and citizen engagement, and data analytics and artificial intelligence. The study's conclusion is that in order to support long-term scalability, reduce redundancy, and enhance system resilience in response to growing urban demands, industry stakeholders should make investments in adaptable, modular technologies that can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. Players in the building construction sector that support smart cities as sustainable construction practices may find the survey's findings intriguing. The current study contributes to the body of knowledge about approaches to smart city delivery in the Ghanaian construction industry, which is important, given the dearth of prior research on this topic in Ghana.
2026-03-22
Leen Alsyouf, Ragd Al Harbat, Shoib Maabdeh, Emad S. N. Mushtaha
Improving the energy efficiency of buildings has become a critical priority, particularly in hot–humid climates where cooling demands are exceptionally high. Hence, due to buildings being considered one of the biggest contributors to energy consumption, utilizing feasible retrofitting strategies is critical. This study assessed the impact of three retrofitting strategies—enhanced glazing, enhanced roof insulation, and reflective cooling paint on exterior walls—on the cooling load, energy consumption, and economic feasibility of a residential townhouse in hot–humid climates in Sharjah. The methodology involved simulating various retrofitting scenarios using DesignBuilder to assess their impact on energy consumption and cooling load, followed by an economic analysis to evaluate feasibility in terms of cost, energy savings, and payback periods. It was found that using reflective paint achieved the highest reductions in energy consumption (8%) and cooling load (13%), while combining reflective paint with glazing upgrades offered up to 10% energy savings and 16% cooling load reduction. These results highlight that reflective paints and their combinations with other strategies provide a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for retrofitting older buildings in hot–humid climates, making them a sustainable choice for reducing energy demand and promoting thermal comfort. The findings offer practical insights for replicable interventions in similar hot–humid urban contexts and contribute to the regional transition toward nearly net-zero energy buildings.
2026-03-22
Katrin Leifels, Julia Zeller-Lanzl, Azizur Rahman, Philipp Knöpfle, Brent Sandlant, Sascha Dreher, Stephan Dreyer
Digital technologies can enhance health and safety on construction sites. However, despite their benefits, only few of these technologies have been implemented. This study explores how construction health and safety stakeholders perceive the benefits and challenges associated with digital technologies to enhance health and safety on construction sites. Based on a literature review, digital technologies in the construction industry were categorised into nine distinct types, namely, Personal Communication Technologies, GPS-based Technologies, Planning & Simulation Tools, Visualisation Technologies, Training Programs, Wearables & Smart Tools, Additive Manufacturing, Robotics & Exoskeletons, and Vision-based Surveillance. Utilising semi-structured interviews, this research gathers insights into perceived benefits and challenges associated with these technologies from construction health and safety stakeholders, health and safety professionals, and construction specialised academic industry experts in Germany and Australia. Each type of technology was further analysed to understand its perceived benefits and obstacles. The findings indicate that some technologies offer significant benefits, notably in automating construction processes and pre-emptively identifying potential incidents. However, the study also uncovers critical obstacles, particularly concerns about data protection and the financial burdens of development and implementation. This study provides unique insights into the perceptions of construction health and safety stakeholders regarding digital technologies. It highlights the dual nature of technology as a tool for advancement and a source of new challenges, specifically in terms of health and safety efficiency in the construction industry. The identification of specific benefits and obstacles offers a foundational understanding for further research and practical application in enhancing health and safety practices through digitalisation in construction.
2026-03-22
Cedomir Gladovic
This conceptual paper introduces the responsive scaffold model (RSM), a theoretically grounded pedagogical and assessment framework designed to enhance soft skills development in construction management education. Using theoretical synthesis methodology, RSM integrates scaffolding theory, cognitive apprenticeship, and experiential learning into a cohesive framework. The model's theoretical foundations are well-established in educational literature, with each component drawing upon substantial research evidence from related contexts. Although developed within Australian higher education, the paper illustrates RSM's broader applicability across disciplines and international contexts. The model's responsiveness ensures tailored support that adapts to learners' evolving abilities, systematically reducing cognitive overload whilst maintaining academic rigour. Comparisons with problem-based and simulation-based learning highlight RSM's distinctive approach to balancing structured guidance and learner autonomy. Implementation guidelines cover curriculum design, faculty development, and authentic assessment, demonstrating RSM's scalability in large classes and digital settings. By aligning with educational standards and industry expectations, RSM offers a sustainable, learner-centred approach that bridges theoretical knowledge and real-world practice, advancing construction management education to enhance graduate employability and professional readiness. Future research directions are outlined to guide empirical validation of this conceptual framework.
2025-12-18
Muath Alyileili, Alex Opoku
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly used to improve the efficiency of public services such as building permit approvals, zoning management, and infrastructure inspections. However, this rapid integration has raised ethical concerns related to algorithmic bias, transparency, accountability, and data privacy. For example, automated zoning systems may inadvertently prioritize certain areas owing to biased data inputs. This paper presents a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis focused on ethical AI frameworks in municipal and construction-related services, particularly focusing on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where smart city initiatives are rapidly advancing. The review followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and drew on 102 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and EBSCOhost using keywords such as “AI ethics”, “smart cities”, and “public services”. The analysis highlights recurring ethical gaps in existing global frameworks, including limited adaptability to local cultural and regulatory environments. Drawing from best practices in the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Artificial Intelligence Principles, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Artificial Intelligence Ethics Guidelines, this study proposed a culturally sensitive governance framework tailored to the UAE context. The framework offers guidance for implementing ethical audits, transparency standards, and citizen feedback mechanisms. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers—such as the development of regulatory sandboxes—and industry stakeholders deploying AI in construction-related municipal services. This study supported the development of responsible AI practices that align with both global ethical standards and local governance needs, ultimately contributing to more trustworthy smart city services.
2025-11-04
Alex Opoku
Retraction Notice Title: Risk Pricing in Construction Tenders - How, Who, What Authors: Marcus Towner and David Baccarini Journal: Construction Economics and Building, Volume 7, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 12-25 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v7i2.2987 Reason for Retraction: This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and the publisher. Following publication in 2007/2008, concerns were raised recently regarding the duplication of the above paper. There's a major error in the 2007 version of the above-mentioned paper in that it was cut short soon after the 'Risks Considered' subheading of the results section, and the text from an entire article from the previous issue was copied in its place. Even though the correct version was published in Vol. 8 No. 1 (2008), the error wasn’t declared in the 2008 version article or in the editorial, and there's no other indication to a reader that the 2007 version is flawed. An investigation confirmed that portions of the article published in 2008 contained substantial overlap with previously published works by the same authors in 2007 without retracting the first paper published in 2007. Unfortunately, the authors could not be contacted to acknowledged these issues and therefore the Editor-in-chief and the publisher have decided to retract the paper. Statement: This retraction serves to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record of the Construction Economics and Building journal and upholds the highest standards of publication ethics. The online version of this article has been marked as “Retracted.” Date of Retraction: 05/11/2025