Construction Professionals' Perception of Sustainability in Developing Countries

Sustainability has been defined in various ways within the academic literature. Definitions vary depending on the country of origin and the disciplinary focus of the author (s). Some view sustainability as a process, while others see it as the management of a process to ensure its longevity. Within the construction industry, sustainability has also been the subject of much debate. Decisions made by construction professionals about sustainability are likely to be based on their perceptions. A perception is the way a person understands something and no two people perceive the same situation in exactly the same way. Much of the literature about sustainability draws on the experiences and perceptions of researchers in developed countries. However, the challenges facing those in developing countries are arguably very different. This paper provides background to a study that seeks to establish construction professionals’ perceptions of sustainability in developing countries. It reviews existing literature from both developed and developing countries to identify research gaps. The paper concludes by identifying questions that will provide an insight into perceptions of sustainability among construction professionals in developing countries.