Factors That Hamper the Implementation of Constructability in the Gaza Strip

Abstract

The subject of this research is about the barriers of constructability implementation in the Gaza strip. Therefore, this research aims at identifying the current implementation of constructability in the Gaza strip, clarifying the essential factors that hamper the implementation of constructability in the Gaza strip and clarifying solutions, whenever possible, that would help the participants to apply the constructability principles, in addition to develop guidelines for the practitioners of the construction industry. The present investigation consists of literature review in subjects related to constructability to determine the hampering factors. Interviews with experts and from the researcher experience a questionnaire was designed incorporating all possible hampering factors in theGazastrip. The questionnaire is divided into two parts: The first part is related to the importance and affect of the barrier factors in construction industry in general. This part was completed by one of the main players of a project (Contractor, Consultant, Owner or their representatives). The second part is related to the degree of existence of these barrier factors in the project under study. This part is completed by the researcher, from the project documents and through interviews with one or more of those who engaged in the project under study. This research includes 28 case studies (projects), the result of data analysis of the respondents' answers and the case studies showed the followings: All hampering factors were given a high rating by respondents in terms of the importance and affect of the barrier factors in construction industry. About 54 % of the respondents have never heard of the constructability and its concepts before. The political factors and project management factors have scored the highest rate amongst the nine main factors that hamper the implementation of constructability in theGazastrip. Nature of the project factors and knowledge & experience factors has scored the lowest rate amongst the nine main factors that hamper the implementation of constructability in theGazastrip. Recurrent closure of crossings and absence of preassembling before project's execution have scored the highest rate amongst the 56 sub-factors that hamper the implementation of constructability in the Gaza strip. Project remoteness & lack of utilities and type of contract have scored the least rate amongst the 56 sub-factors that hamper the implementation of constructability in theGazastrip. Finally, the researcher has designed a framework that acts as a guideline for the construction industry's practioners to overcome barriers of constructability, in accordance with the appearance of the barrier factors in the project life cycle, in order to achieve the desired project objectives.