3rd North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management

A theoretical appraisal of ecologically sustainable practices amongst Engineering and Built Environment Professionals

Mpho Ndou
Publisher: IEOM Society International
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Track: Sustainability
Abstract

For many decades, the desperate need for infrastructure development in developing countries has given birth to premature sustainable practices. This is mainly as a result of inadequate ecologically sustainable designs of projects by engineering and built environment professions. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the integration of ecologically sustainable practices among engineering and built environment professionals in developing countries. The research relied on the use of credible secondary based (literature) sources. The literature revealed that ecological integration can be adopted through the following approaches: voluntary labeling, innovative bidding processes and green branding to mention a few. Moreover, the study explores a possible approach through biomimicry which suggest two forms of adoption, a direct and indirect approach of understanding how the ecosystem model function through environmental processes which have remained sustainable to date. Also, the study contributes to the body of knowledge on how ecological economics could bring about radical sustainable development in developing countries.

Published in: 3rd North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Washington D.C., USA

Publisher: IEOM Society International
Date of Conference: September 27-29, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-5323-5946-0
ISSN/E-ISSN: 2169-8767