
CONSTRUCTION IN 5D: DECONSTRUCTION, DIGITALIZATION, DISRUPTION, DISASTER, DEVELOPMENT
5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2021
THE HILTON HOTEL, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” –William Pollard
There is little doubt that the construction industry has experienced exponential change and development in recent years. The 15th Built Environment Conference will examine five of these cutting-edge concepts to determine their state of the art in the construction sector both in practice and academic research. This conference therefore seeks responses to questions related to current conversations, debates, and empirical research on:
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Deconstruction - the dismantling or ‘unbuilding’ of buildings to maximise reusing and preserving the demolished fragments and involves taking a building apart piece by piece, essentially reversing the order of its construction.
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Digitalization - the conversion and transformation of construction business processes to use digital technologies and embrace the ability of digital technology to collect data, establish trends and make better business decisions.
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Disruption – displacement of well-established construction technologies, techniques or products to disruptively affect the normal operation or function of the construction industry while potentially creating a new industry or market. Artificial intelligence, virtual/ augmented reality, internet of things, blockchain technology, and e-commerce are some of the disruptive technologies that are significantly influencing the future of the construction industry
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Disaster - an occurrence that disrupts the normal conditions of existence and operation causing a level of suffering and challenge that exceeds the capacity of adjustment of the affected community and the construction industry
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Development – in the context of construction refers to an industry that possesses the vision, leadership and capacity to bring about a positive transformation of itself within a condensed period of time
The conference invites papers within the context of its theme that address, inter alia, in both the public and private sectors
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Current trends and developments
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Innovation
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Opportunities and challenges
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Policies and procedures
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Legislation and regulations
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Practices
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Case studies
It is intended that these papers will contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge relative to the science and practice of construction not only in South Africa but everywhere where the products of construction are produced even in these new challenging times of fear and uncertainty.
2021 Conference Fees

ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Prof. Theodore Haupt, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Ms. Mariam Akinlolu, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Dr. Fredrick Simpeh, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Dr. Christopher Amoah, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Mrs. Ferial Lombardo, Conference Secretariat
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Prof Raymond Levitt, Stanford University, USA
Prof Sarvesh Chandra, Indian Institute of Technology, India
Prof. Francois Jacobs, University of Wyoming, USA
Prof. Kathy Michell, University of Cape Town, RSA
Prof. K. Kajimo-Shakantu, University of the Free State, RSA
Prof. David Edwards, Birmingham City University, UK
Prof. A Gibb, Loughborough University, UK
Prof. G Ofori, London South Bank University, UK
Prof. Theodore Haupt, Mangosuthu University of Technology, RSA
Prof. C Cloete, University of Pretoria, RSA
Prof. David Root, University of Witwatersrand, RSA
Prof. C Trois, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, RSA
Prof. PD Rwelamila, University of South Africa, RSA
Prof. John Obas Ebohon, London South Bank University, UK
Dr. S Zulu, Leeds University, UK
Dr. N Chileshe, University of South Australia, Australia
Dr. S Mohamed, Griffiths University, Australia
Dr. O.O. Ugwu, University of Nigeria, Nigeria
Dr. Geraldine Kikwasi, Ardhi University, Tanzania
Dr. Ephraim Zulu, Copperbelt University, Zambia