Moving towards a more sustainable construction practice: advocate deconstruction in Singapore construction industry

Abstract

In this study, an extensive literature review was done to review the critical points of current knowledge with regards to deconstruction. Various case studies were also used, namely, one overseas example to study the cost-effectiveness of deconstruction and two local examples to understand the local demolition and deconstruction scene. In addition, surveys and interviews were conducted to determine the level of awareness for deconstruction, learn the possible motivators and challenges for deconstruction implementation, forecast the prospect of deconstruction in Singapore and draw up the possible recommendations to advocate deconstruction. However, due to the unfamiliarity of the local construction industry towards deconstruction, absence of local deconstruction case studies for reference and limited information available on deconstruction, the whole study journey on this topic has been a very challenging one. Usually construction and demolition professionals are accustomed to constructing and/or removing buildings without considering beyond the building’s lifetime, the value of materials in the existing structures or the value of reducing disposal costs; this is particularly so in Singapore, where quick demolition seems to be a more viable choice for rapid urban development. With deconstruction proving to be an effective way for diverting construction and demolition (C&D) waste away from landfills and reducing the need to extract virgin resources, it may be one feasible approach that can contribute to the substantial environmental footprints of Singapore. Given the awareness level of deconstruction was extremely low, it is yet to be extensively practiced here despite it has proofed to be feasible overseas. Moreover, there is not much advocate for deconstruction locally. Various industry players had expressed the high gross costs of deconstruction and high time input as the main deterring factors for the deconstruction implementation, though generally deconstruction is acknowledged by the majority as environmentally beneficial and the industry is optimistic about the prospect of deconstruction. However, for new practice that has not taken root in Singapore, it requires a lot more time for it to establish its foundation and to mature. And in order to advocate deconstruction successfully, industry players felt that the government has a crucial role to play.