The Practice of Sustainable concepts in high density residential projects in Sri Lanaka

Abstract

There is a rapid interest in building sustainable green homes at present, but developers and contractors are reluctant to implement these practices, as the general perception is that the initial costs are high to use in smaller buildings such as residential builds. The study conducted was to determine the decision making process of developers and contractors on sustainable practices in large-scale residential projects. A residential sustainability survey was conducted to ascertain certain factors that relate to sustainability. The participants were members of the ICTAD (Institute of Construction Training and Development), Grades C1 and C2 developers and contractors and also non ICTAD members selected through Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) registered members and firms. The sustainability survey was categorized in to different levels by experience with sustainability, frequency of use, familiarity with sustainable practices, importance of implementing sustainability within the company or individuals, experience and opinions on the subject.By conducting the survey the purpose was to compare and analyse and thereby identify the hesitations, cost conflicts, confusion with regard to residential sustainability and levels of integrations. The study revealed that the respondents believed that the cost was most important but also indicated that they believed that it is important to build green to help the environment. They all agreed that sustainable builds were more complicated to design and build and cost more.Based on the survey there was an indication that developers and contractors had experience and was familiar with sustainability. This study was also built upon existing research on rating systems that are applicable on sustainable practices and other sustainable practices present in the residential sector.