Research Framework for Identification of Waste and Inefficiencies in Existing Public Office Buildings in Developing Nations for Sustainability

Aims: Many countries, especially in the developing world, did not meet the UN target of 2002 to achieve sustainable development (SD) in their built environment mainly because the issue of existing buildings which form the bulk of building stock were not adequately addressed. This research paper examined the improvement of existing public office buildings in developing countries, using the Lean Thinking strategy for the identification of perceived waste and inefficient facilities for sustainability.
Study Design: The paper did a literature review on improvement models for sustainability.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Real Estate Management, UTHM, Johor, from May, 2013 to date.
Methodology: The identified improvement models were examined from the perspective of their scope; the triple bottom lines of SD addressed; research framework; philosophies, paradigms; and their applications to decide an appropriate model for improvement of existing buildings for sustainability. A research framework was subsequently developed for the adopted model.
Results: The lean model and the diagnostic post-occupancy evaluation (POE) tool were adopted for the study, with a working depth limited to the systematic evaluation of opinion to determine waste and inefficiencies in the building from the perspective of the occupants, in order to assess how well the building match their satisfaction, expectancies and needs, and identifies ways to improve the building design standard, performance and fitness for purpose.
Conclusion: There is no doubt that there are a number of other factors and barriers that affect our ability to make existing building stock more sustainable. However, until these two major issues of waste, and inefficient facilities are addressed in built assets, the pace of SD in the developing countries may remain slow. The paper also revealed that the improvement of existing buildings is cheaper and more environmental friendly than rebuild, and will also reduce maintenance cost.