Construction Clients Challenges – Emphasizing Early Stages

Journal article, 2014

The built environment sector faces many challenges in terms of urbanization, energy efficiency, climate and demographic changes, etc. In addition, future today unknown challenges. Meeting these - and create sustainable, attractive cities and regions - cannot be done without the knowledge of architects, engineers and urban planners. Characteristic of a sustainable built environment is that there are many actors involved, both for professionals, policy makers and concerned parties. Among all these, the construction client has a significant role, a position that largely allows for the influence and change in attitudes, behaviors and procedures required for managing a sustainable transition. The paper consists of three parts, a basic survey of client's role's future challenges in managing construction projects based on questionnaire and interview studies, and a part where national and international examples are investigated. The third part develops new models of explanation. Although there is consensus on the importance of long-term and sustainable approach to urban development, much remains before this is reflected in the processes and patterns of organization for project implementation and management of the built environment. Ex. the short-term effectiveness in individual construction projects combined with long-term innovation to support sustainable development. An important question is how the understanding of social structures and activities can be integrated with technical and scientific knowledge for the assessment of costs in relation to public benefit.