Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

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Assessment of emerging technologies enhancing project delivery among medium and large construction firms in Durban
(2022-07) Mchunu Johannes S’thembiso; Anugwo, Iruka C.
The objective of this research was to assess the potential of emerging ICT technologies to enhance construction project design, procurement, and delivery among medium and large construction firms registered on the Durban Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) under grade 4-6 and grade 7-9 c. The study explored how construction companies can use various emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Printing, Virtual Reality (VR), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Robotics and wireless sensor technology, to improve construction project delivery in the eThekwini region. This study focused on one province, KZN and the eThekwini District Municipality, located on the east coast of South Africa. The questionnaires were formulated to evaluate construction contractors’ level of awareness, understanding, knowledge, and commitment to advance business operations using new emerging technologies presently linked to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Data collection instruments used for this study comprised an online survey as well as paper-based questionnaires. The data was analysed using percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations, and each question was ranked using the SPSS Statistical Package. The analysis shows that awareness, and knowledge of, new emerging technologies among construction companies in Durban was significantly high within offices. However, awareness, and knowledge of, new emerging technologies was significantly low on construction sites. The study revealed that a remarkable number of respondents were of the opinion that the implementation of emerging ICT technologies and the 4IR would benefit project design, procurement and construction delivery. The study concluded that there is a high level of commitment to implement new emerging technologies among construction companies in Durban. The study recommended that construction companies in Durban should acknowledge the need to enhance business processes in construction and improve levels of performance and competitiveness by implementing new emerging technologies on construction sites. The study proposed that construction companies in Durban should implement new emerging technologies to improve the performance of the sector in KwaZulu-Natal.
Evaluation of water resource management systems in eThekwini Municipality
(2024-05) Faya, Nosipho Buhle; Anugwo, Iruka C.; Twala, Bhekisipho
Water is an essential and critical resource for human, animal and plant survival and our continuing existence on planet earth. Water is increasingly becoming a scarce resource, and the issue of water scarcity has been exacerbated in intensity by climate change, as well as aging water resource infrastructure in many countries; such as the republic of South Africa. This study aimed at evaluating the water resource management systems, in that is rooted in a qualitative research method and phenomenological paradigm. Thus, primary data were collected from personnel in high and strategic positions in the government entity, eThekwini Municipality Water and Sanitation. This qualitative data was then subjected to content analysis and themes. The study findings are based on the eThekwini region and its resiliency and adaptability to climate change. In order to achieve that, this study utilized an in-depth interview and semi-structured interview approach to garner respondents’ perceptions, opinions, expertise, judgement and experiences on issues of water resources management systems and infrastructure resiliency and adaptability to the impact of climate change in Durban. The data revealed that the current state of water resource infrastructure is not satisfactory, or resilient enough to withstand the impact of climate. The study findings also indicated the urgent need for the eThekwini municipality’s water resource infrastructure to be upgraded for optimal operation and for resiliency to environmental and technical challenges. The study further reveals that the eThekwini municipality is considering embarking on joint venture projects that would adopt the innovative concept of reusing, remixing and recycling treated wastewater, as well as the installation of desalination plants for effective water resources management. From our findings, we saw that eThekwini municipality needs to adopt new technologies that would enable integrated and adaptive, resilient components in their water resource management systems. The study recommended that eThekwini municipality should endeavour to strive towards upgrading the current state of its water resource infrastructure so that it is in a satisfactory state, and resilient enough to withstand impact of climate change.