The construction business has been hit hard, with various negative impacts on cost, implementation timelines, profits, and others. Increased and smart adoption of technology, however, can transform the sector to make it more sustainable.

This is the belief of Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu, Head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

As president of the Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA), she delivered the welcoming address of the 14th Built Environment conference that was held recently. Prof Kajimo-Shakantu is the sixth president of ASOCSA.

The theme of this year’s built-environment conference, presented for the very first time in a virtual format, was Technology, Transformation and Sustainable Construction.

Identify and harness opportunities

“It is clear that while COVID-19 remains a challenge, opportunities can be identified and harnessed even by our own construction industry through the exploitation of technological, transformative, and sustainable practices. The technology and transformation taking place now – in South Africa and beyond this COVID-19 situation – should be embraced for competitive advantage, even after the pandemic disappears,” said Kajimo-Shakantu.

She also provided some practical suggestions: “Technologies such as remote monitoring of construction sites and selected construction site operations through high-definition cameras and robust software should be encouraged as a way of minimising health and safety risks and mobility costs during the project duration, and at the same time ensuring an all-time virtual presence on site for various purposes.”

“Virtual contract progress meetings, site meetings, and supervision of specialised work are some of the benefits that the construction industry could gain if they adopt technology that can lead to sustainable construction beyond the COVID-19 era,” she added.

Encourage meaningful partnerships

It is no longer a case of business as usual. Prof Kajimo-Shakantu believes stronger collaboration and meaningful partnerships must be encouraged among all stakeholders if the conference theme is to be fully actualised for the benefit of the construction industry, as it races towards attaining sustainable construction.

She said: “Clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers of materials and services can wholly embrace technology and transformation for sustainable, cost-effective, less wasteful, and cleaner construction processes.”

Many insightful and thought-provoking papers touching on construction industry challenges and opportunities, as well as the teaching and learning of students, were delivered by both local and international delegates.

The conference is believed to be one of the major cutting-edge built-environment conferences on the African continent.

A guest of honour at the event was the Vice-Rector: Academic at the University of the Free State, Dr Engela van Staden. In her welcome address, she challenged delegates to establish a consistent channel for disseminating some of the research outcomes to industry stakeholders, including the respective government departments. “It is time to go beyond building rich databases and prestigious publications for our universities,” she said.

Keynote speakers included Prof Monty Sutrisna, Professor of Construction and Project Management and the Head of the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand; Prof Obas John, Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Law and Director of Internationalisation at London South Bank University; Prof David Edwards, Professor of Plant and Machinery Management, Birmingham City University, England; and Dr Reza Hosseini, the Associate Head of School (research) in the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Australia.

The various interesting peer-reviewed research papers that were delivered, addressed topical issues that affect the built environment not only in South Africa, but also in the regions beyond.