The role of construction project management practices in achieving low-carbon and eco-efficient building delivery in developing economies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62672/hucse.v2i1.28Keywords:
Construction project management, Low-carbon buildings, Eco-efficient construction, Developing economies, Building Information Modelling, Life-cycle assessmentAbstract
The construction sector in developing economies is both an engine of growth and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. This article reviews how construction project management practices shape the delivery of low-carbon and eco-efficient buildings in these contexts. Drawing on recent international and African literature, it synthesises evidence on planning and scheduling, cost and resource management, quality assurance, risk management, and sustainable procurement, alongside low-carbon construction principles such as life-cycle assessment, green materials, energy-efficient design, circular waste practices and water-sensitive solutions. The review highlights that project managers play a pivotal role in coordinating digital tools like Building Information Modelling, LCA and digital twins, as well as lean construction and prefabrication strategies that can significantly reduce embodied and operational carbon. However, widespread implementation is constrained by skills and knowledge gaps, limited technology adoption, fragmented regulations, and weak green finance ecosystems. Emerging opportunities include rapid urbanisation and housing demand, international climate frameworks, green building certification schemes and public–private partnerships that can mobilise finance and capacity for low-carbon delivery. The paper concludes that aligning project management capabilities, supportive policy, and targeted investment in digital and circular practices is essential for transitioning construction in developing economies toward genuinely low-carbon and eco-efficient pathways.
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