Browsing by Subject "construction"
Now showing items 1-7 of 7
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(2022)A systemic change in the current modes of production and consumption, a so-called sustainability transition, is required to overcome large-scale society-transforming phenomena such as the climate change. This in turn demands changes in socio-technical systems, i.e., the networks of actors, institutions, technologies, material artefacts, and knowledge creation. In this thesis, the Finnish construction and housing sector is used as a case study, and an example of one socio-technical system. By focusing on the socio aspect of the socio-technical, I analyse how actors who are involved in the current system may inhibit or enable a sustainability transition. I seek to answer the following questions: what the relevant definitions of and foci for climate-wise action are among stakeholders in the sector in Finland; how actor-related barriers manifest themselves; and which actors could enable or speed up the transition. This thesis builds on sustainability transition theories, especially multi-level perspective and strategic niche management, to better understand actor roles and relationships. Based on a literature review, I define three actor-related barriers to transition (misaligned vision and focus, small network, and pro-regime actor resistance) and one potential enabler (intermediaries). These are then applied to the Finnish context. In this thesis, I employed stakeholder analysis as the methodology, interviewing a pre-defined set of 21 stakeholders. The results were analysed using content and social network analyses. The results suggest that although the understanding of climate-wise construction and housing is gaining a more holistic perspective, the three barriers all still manifest in the sector in Finland: all the stakeholders are engaged in energy-related topics, but hold differing foci on household choices, low-carbon materials and circularity; the network amongst actors seems relatively dense and inclusive, but improvement points emerge with closer examination; although results suggest that development has happened in the recent years, industries and incumbents are still considered too slow-moving. The importance of intermediation is also recognised by many but defining and picking potential intermediaries out of the crowd is a complex task. Overall, the sector may be moving forward in the transition, but the stakeholders create and uphold both barriers and opportunities in the process.
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(2022)A systemic change in the current modes of production and consumption, a so-called sustainability transition, is required to overcome large-scale society-transforming phenomena such as the climate change. This in turn demands changes in socio-technical systems, i.e., the networks of actors, institutions, technologies, material artefacts, and knowledge creation. In this thesis, the Finnish construction and housing sector is used as a case study, and an example of one socio-technical system. By focusing on the socio aspect of the socio-technical, I analyse how actors who are involved in the current system may inhibit or enable a sustainability transition. I seek to answer the following questions: what the relevant definitions of and foci for climate-wise action are among stakeholders in the sector in Finland; how actor-related barriers manifest themselves; and which actors could enable or speed up the transition. This thesis builds on sustainability transition theories, especially multi-level perspective and strategic niche management, to better understand actor roles and relationships. Based on a literature review, I define three actor-related barriers to transition (misaligned vision and focus, small network, and pro-regime actor resistance) and one potential enabler (intermediaries). These are then applied to the Finnish context. In this thesis, I employed stakeholder analysis as the methodology, interviewing a pre-defined set of 21 stakeholders. The results were analysed using content and social network analyses. The results suggest that although the understanding of climate-wise construction and housing is gaining a more holistic perspective, the three barriers all still manifest in the sector in Finland: all the stakeholders are engaged in energy-related topics, but hold differing foci on household choices, low-carbon materials and circularity; the network amongst actors seems relatively dense and inclusive, but improvement points emerge with closer examination; although results suggest that development has happened in the recent years, industries and incumbents are still considered too slow-moving. The importance of intermediation is also recognised by many but defining and picking potential intermediaries out of the crowd is a complex task. Overall, the sector may be moving forward in the transition, but the stakeholders create and uphold both barriers and opportunities in the process.
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(2009)In this study ecoefficiency of residential buildings is estimated with MIPSmethod. MIPSmethod focuses on the natural resource (so. material) use. Apart from the material efficiency also required energy and carbon dioxide emissions during the construction period and maintenance were also counted in this study. Under the maintenanceperiod only the energy flowed through the building cover was taken into account. The maintenance period was 50 years. The study covered 14 different buildings from which nine where single family houses and five blocks of flats. MIPSindicator is based on material flows. It uses them as criteria of ecoefficiency. The aim is to calculate the hidden material flows caused during the manufacturing of products. MIPSvalues can be calculated with MIfactors published by Wuppertalinstitute. MIPS is rough and simplifying method but on the other hand its advantage is a ability to illustrate one of the important areas of ecoefficiency. Most of the natural resources used by the residential building are related to foundations of buildings. For example more than half of natural resources use caused by wooden houses are related to foundations. Also the maintenance consumes natural resources across the energy use. With maintenance it takes decades to reach the level of construction period. When calculating the carbon dioxide emissions the maintenance is more significant. It takes only around ten years to reach the level of emissions caused by construction period. Wood as a construction material is the most ecoefficient choice. Block of flats is more ecoefficient than single family house with any indicator. According to this study, the wooden blocks of flats are the most ecoefficient choice.
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(2023)The construction sector is a substantial contributor to waste and global carbon emissions due to the extraction and consumption of natural resources. Scholars underscore the critical importance for the construction sector to embrace the principles of the circular economy (CE), with a central focus on the efficient and careful use of natural resources, promoting material reuse and avoiding waste. Previous research conducted on the CE transition within the construction sector has shown a gap in addressing its material perspective. In Finland, the use of wood in construction is actively promoted by the government due to its potential to reduce industry’s carbon emissions. However, most used wood materials and waste from construction end up in energy recovery processes releasing absorbed carbon. This study explores the reasons for the limited wood recirculation within the shortest and most preferable loops in construction sector in Finland. The qualitative research data is based on 12 semi-structured qualitative interviews with professionals working either directly or closely to the construction sector. Employing the method of thematic analysis, this study endeavors to discover barriers, drivers and opportunities associated with recirculation of wood in the construction industry of Finland. While the findings of this study were found to be aligned with previous research that has identified barriers and drivers to CE implementation both within the construction industry and more broadly, multiple new wood-specific challenges were identified. The research findings demonstrate the necessity of adopting a holistic and systematic approach to increasing wood recirculation in construction and underscore the significant role of mediating actors, such as management of material hubs, in facilitating its implementation. This study suggests that supported by mediating actors, the development of the business ecosystem for circulated wood, enhancement of construction industry’s experience beyond internal projects is needed. Harmonization of the industry’s practices within the interplay of CE and bioeconomy thinking would promote wood recirculation in construction.
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(2023)The construction sector is a substantial contributor to waste and global carbon emissions due to the extraction and consumption of natural resources. Scholars underscore the critical importance for the construction sector to embrace the principles of the circular economy (CE), with a central focus on the efficient and careful use of natural resources, promoting material reuse and avoiding waste. Previous research conducted on the CE transition within the construction sector has shown a gap in addressing its material perspective. In Finland, the use of wood in construction is actively promoted by the government due to its potential to reduce industry’s carbon emissions. However, most used wood materials and waste from construction end up in energy recovery processes releasing absorbed carbon. This study explores the reasons for the limited wood recirculation within the shortest and most preferable loops in construction sector in Finland. The qualitative research data is based on 12 semi-structured qualitative interviews with professionals working either directly or closely to the construction sector. Employing the method of thematic analysis, this study endeavors to discover barriers, drivers and opportunities associated with recirculation of wood in the construction industry of Finland. While the findings of this study were found to be aligned with previous research that has identified barriers and drivers to CE implementation both within the construction industry and more broadly, multiple new wood-specific challenges were identified. The research findings demonstrate the necessity of adopting a holistic and systematic approach to increasing wood recirculation in construction and underscore the significant role of mediating actors, such as management of material hubs, in facilitating its implementation. This study suggests that supported by mediating actors, the development of the business ecosystem for circulated wood, enhancement of construction industry’s experience beyond internal projects is needed. Harmonization of the industry’s practices within the interplay of CE and bioeconomy thinking would promote wood recirculation in construction.
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(2017)This thesis examines collaboration in construction industry. Collaboration practices are affected with the emergence of new technologies, as new technologies require new practices. Building Information Modelling (BIM), used for digital 3D modelling of buildings, is such an emerging technology, influencing collaboration. The topic is approached socio-constructively and -culturally, and through the theory of hybrid practices in construction. The thesis addresses the following questions: 1) how BIM is described to influence collaboration practices, and 2) how is collaboration in BIM construction projects conceptualised. The data was collected in 13 individual and group interviews. Content analysis and discourse analysis were used. BIM is found to influence collaboration through emerging hybrid practices, and BIM-based collaboration is conceptualised through four interlinked but conflicting discourses. The results confirm the need for more established collaboration practices in BIM projects. The thesis contributes to the narrow focus given to human perspective and conceptions in collaboration research in construction.
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(2018)For the last 20 years, the state administration of Finland has supported the development of wooden multistory construction (WMC) into the residential housing market. While the number of WMC dwellings has increased, WMC is still not a normalized construction practice. Civil servants—who are responsible for complying with national strategies while being tasked to satisfy the needs of Finnish citizens—are legally entrusted to oversee and approve the planning of all zoning maps. This authority includes the power to compel builders to comply with material preferences through zoning regulations. Regardless of this gatekeeping authority, they rarely enact such regulations. This qualitative study examines the attitudes and perceptions of civil servants regarding WMC. It also examines the civil servants’ interpretation of other stakeholder opinions towards WMC. The aim was to set a precedent for current-day beliefs about WMC from the perspective of this authoritative group, given no such in-depth opinions currently exist in the literature. Semi-structured interviews were held between May 2017-January 2018. 11 civil -servants holding high-level administrative roles in city planning and development from six different municipalities were interviewed. Based on qualitative content analysis of the data, interviewed civil servants held a variety of attitudes towards WMC. Support for the implementation of WMC was due to benefits incurred by the positive qualities of the engineered wood products, which permit flexible construction technologies that directly enhance citizen lifestyles, while supporting local and national economies. Hindrances in the implementation of WMC were a result of an operating environment with poor information distribution, few WMC industry actors and limited government policy measures to support project implementation. These factors trigger high risk and high cost. Material limitations were rarely discussed, but may result in high cost or project risk. The stakeholders whose opinions were most frequently discussed included the municipalities the civil servants represented, municipality residents, and private developers. The opinions of other stakeholders (e.g. end users) were rarely mentioned. Developers are reluctant to take on WMC projects due to bottom-line mentality and perceived development risk. Residents’ opinions are equally colored with interest and skepticism. Municipality opinions were mostly in line with the perceptions shared by civil servants. All stakeholders were perceived to have greater interest in WMC if risk or prejudice were dispelled through positive, real-world experiences or exposure to WMC.
Now showing items 1-7 of 7