New Perspectives on Construction in Developing Countries

Developing countries face the challenge of maintaining economic growth and socio-economic development, at the core of which sits the construction industry. Considerable research on construction in developing countries took place in the 1970's and 1980's, but little since, a gap which this book fills.
Including contributions from prominent academics and practitioners in Australia, China, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UK, this is a truly international analysis of a subject of global interest. The most insightful and relevant of recent research on topics such as Millennium Development Goals, the informal construction sector, human resource development, technology, finance and social change, are all addressed in the context of the construction industry in the developing world. Also considered are other key aspects of construction industry development such as institution building, nurturing of contractors and consultants and championing of industry development programmes.
While the challenge has grown and the needs have become even more pressing, the research to date has rarely presented effective solutions. Focussing on those aspects of the construction industry most crucial to development, this is a much needed up-to-date study that sheds new light on a variety of concepts and issues.
This is essential reading for researchers, professionals and students interested in the construction industry in developing countries. Readers of this book will be interested in its companion volume; Contemporary Issues of Construction in Developing Countries.

George Ofori is Professor at the National University of Singapore. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Society of Project Managers. His research is on construction industry development, international project management and leadership. He has been a consultant and adviser to several international agencies and governments.

1. The construction industries in developing countries: strategic review of the book (George Ofori) Part I: Construction and Economic Development 2. Changes in societies and economies: new imperatives (Les Ruddock and Steven Ruddock) 3. Construction in the economy and its role in socio-economic development (Jorge Lopes) Part II: Construction Industry Developent: macro-level issues 4. Construction and Millenium Development Goals (George Ofori) 5. Institution building in construction industries in developing countries (Rodney Milford) 6. Championing of construction industry development programmes and initatives (George Ofori and Patricia Lim Mui Mui) 7. Informal construction activity in developing countries (Jill Wells) Part III: Construction Development Issues: key areas 8. Construction Technology development and innovation (Emilia van Egmond) 9. Human resource development in construction (Ellis L.C. Osabutey, Richard B. Nyuur and Yaw A. Debrah) 10. Contractor development (Winston Shakantu) 11. The critical role of consulting firms in the acceleration of infrastructure delivery and the improvement of the quality of life (Ron Watermeyer) 12. Financing construction projects in developing countries (Akintola Akintoye and Suresh Renukappa) Author Index. Subject Index