Creating Capacity and Capability: Embracing Advanced Technologies and Innovations for Sustainable Future in Building Education and Practice

This three-volume book is the proceeding of the 46th Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) 2023 Conference which brings together papers on construction and built environment education and practice. This particular conference theme, “Creating Capacity and Capability: Embracing Technologies and Innovations for Sustainable Future in Building Education and Practice” is closely related to a flagship national research programme funded by the Government of New Zealand, known as the CanConstructNZ research programme, aiming to balance the capacity and capability in the construction industry and the national pipeline of construction projects. The capacity and capability of our construction industry in fulfilling the construction needs of the whole nation are reflected in the national pipeline of construction projects and have long been recognised as one of the main challenges facing the construction sector. The practices and education of building and construction play an important role in determining the capacity and capability of the construction industry. Within the context of achieving sustainable future and embracing advanced technologies to create capacity and capability in the construction sector, various concepts, research, and innovative development have emerged and taken place. This particular conference theme has facilitated more in-depth discourses and discussions on the latest ideas and innovation within the building and construction education and practice, not only from the Australasian region but also from the wider international community, including the USA, the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, China, and Sri Lanka. The contents of this book will be of interest to academic researchers, industry professionals and policy makers alike.

Prof. Monty Sutrisna is a professor of Construction and Project Management and is the head of the School of the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand. As an active researcher, his research expertise includes construction and engineering management, construction productivity, construction procurement and contracts, construction IT, and other advanced technologies applied in construction as well as construction project management, decision making modelling/support, knowledge-based systems, and artificial intelligence. He is the principal investigator of the $ 8.64 Million Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Research Programme in New Zealand known as the CanConstructNZ. Prior to joining Massey University, he was the head of the Construction Management Department at Curtin University in Western Australia and was the Director of PG Research Training & Outreach/Programme Director for the CM Programme at the University of Salford, UK.

A/Prof. Mostafa Babaeian Jelodar is the academic lead and a Associate Professor in Construction Engineering and Management at the School of Built Environment, Massey University, New Zealand. A civil engineer by training, his research focuses on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and automation in the built environment, with expertise in offsite construction, transformative technologies, productivity, and innovation in construction. He is particularly interested in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and the integration of digitalisation, constructability, and sustainability in construction projects. Dr. Jelodar leads the "Modern Methods of Construction and Automation in Built Environment" research group, driving innovation in construction engineering and management at the School of Built Environment, Massey University.

Prof. Regan Potangaroa is a structural engineer with 25 years of experience in design and construction in NZ, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and the USA. He is also well known internationally in the humanitarian aid community, having completed over 200 humanitarian deployments in 22 countries since 1996, most recently with UNHCR as part of their shelter team in Bangladesh with the Rohingya Emergency Response and currently with the IFRC working on capacity training for the incorporation of Housing Land and Property (HLP) issues into existing shelter and settlement programmes for the Asia-Pacific region This humanitarian focus is the core of his research which extends into other areas.

Dr. Chinthaka Atapattu is a lecturer in Quantity Surveying & Construction Law at the School of Built Environment, Massey University, New Zealand. He has completed his Ph.D. in the same school in December 2023. Chinthaka's Ph.D. was on developing a conceptual cost model for New Zealand Road projects. Chinthaka joined SBE staff as a Tutor in 2022 and became a senior tutor in 2023. He also worked as a junior research officer for the CanConstructNZ research project funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment New Zealand and several other projects. His research interests include the reduction of construction carbon emissions, whole life cycle costing, cost management, and contract administration. He has ten years of industry experience as a Quantity Surveyor in Oman, Qatar, and Sri Lanka.

Dr. Don Amila Sajeevan Samarasinghe is a senior lecturer in the Built Environment at Massey University, specialising in construction management, sustainable building practices, and workforce upskilling initiatives. He leads research projects of national significance, including a framework for enhancing Maori representation within New Zealand's construction industry, funded by Te Pukenga. With a Ph.D. in Construction Management and over 12 years of academic and professional experience, Dr. Samarasinghe has an extensive publication record and has contributed to pioneering construction technologies such as 3D printing in residential construction. He leads the People’s Research Group and the Emerging Career Researchers Group at Massey University, fostering collaboration and innovation across academia and industry. A chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), Dr. Samarasinghe is committed to bridging academic research with practical industry applications, regularly engaging industry professionals to provide talks and real-world experiences for his students.