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Abstract

The emergence of offsite construction as a pivotal sector within Scotland's house-building industry has been underscored by recent developments. Positioned at the forefront of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), offsite techniques have witnessed significant growth and adoption. This evolution is partly fuelled by substantial investments made by various industry players in establishing new offsite manufacturing facilities. The aim of this paper is to evaluate its appropriateness in augmenting the tripartite facets of sustainability within the Scottish context. The specific objectives are to (1) examine the impact of MMC practices on three strands of sustainability and (2) investigate barriers to its adoption in Scotland. Anchored on qualitative research design, five (5) representatives of construction companies practising in Scotland were interviewed and their responses analysed using thematic analytical tools. Findings reveal that MMC practices have significant positive impact on health and safety (social sustainability); while it also revealed that, while there is some scepticism regarding the upfront financial outlay of MMC, a significant majority recognises its potential for cost-effectiveness, particularly when considering the lifecycle benefits and overall project efficiency (economic sustainability). The result also indicate that waste reduction was seen as a positive aspect of MMC, resulting from improved manufacturing techniques, greater efficiency, and better storage of materials. Moreover, respondents noted a concurrent reduction in emissions associated with MMC practices (environmental sustainability). Findings also reveal that resistant to change, shortage of skilled workers and the consequent challenge of retraining existing workforce, and difficulties associated with obtaining regulatory approvals for MMC technologies are the three most significant barriers to full adoption of MMC practices in Scotland. The paper recommends that among other measures, there should be improved promotion and dissemination of information about MMC's benefits, provision of government subsidies to reduce initial costs, and creation of strong apprenticeship programs to address the current skills shortage in the industry.

Keywords

Social Sustainability, Economic Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Off-Sites Construction, Scotland

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