Title: Assessment of the construction industry market: a study of the barriers and drivers of sustainability practices

Authors: Julia Carvalho Fernandes de Oliveira; Fagner José Coutinho de Melo; Djalma Silva Guimaraes Junior; Eryka Fernanda Miranda Sobral

Addresses: Mestrado em Gestão do Desenvolvimento Local Sustentável, Departamento de Administração, Universidade de Pernambuco, Av. Gov. Agamenon Magalhães, Santo Amaro, Recife – PE, 50100-010, Brazil ' Mestrado em Gestão do Desenvolvimento Local Sustentável, Departamento de Administração, Universidade de Pernambuco, Av. Gov. Agamenon Magalhães, Santo Amaro, Recife – PE, 50100-010, Brazil ' Mestrado em Gestão do Desenvolvimento Local Sustentável, Departamento de Administração, Universidade de Pernambuco, Av. Gov. Agamenon Magalhães, Santo Amaro, Recife – PE, 50100-010, Brazil ' Departamento de Administração, Universidade de Pernambuco, Av. Gov. Agamenon Magalhães, Santo Amaro, Recife – PE, 50100-010, Brazil

Abstract: This paper aims to analyse the perception of the city of Recife's local market regarding the main barriers that inhibit the adoption of sustainable practices and the main drivers that influence the decision to use sustainable design and construction practices. The survey research was conducted using two questionnaires: one applied to 66 professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction, and another applied to 55 residents. The results to professionals showed that the lack of knowledge and awareness on how to design a sustainable project is the most critical barrier identified. In relation to the public, it was noticed that despite the insecurity regarding the concept of sustainable construction, there is a market demand for sustainable projects in Recife - PE. This paper, therefore, contributes to expanding the knowledge about the factors that either foster or hinder the implementation of large-scale sustainable practices in the construction industry.

Keywords: construction industry; sustainability; barriers; drivers; sustainable projects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2023.131692

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2023 Vol.15 No.2, pp.139 - 166

Received: 15 Apr 2022
Accepted: 14 Sep 2022
Published online: 26 Jun 2023 *