An examination of green building development in China from the perspective of employees

Abstract

Although China's construction industry has seen rapid growth and expansion, it has simultaneously exhausted natural resources and obstructed initiatives aimed at fostering a more sustainable economy and society. Green buildings (GBs) are an innovative concept that may address this problem. Green buildings not only contribute to environmental conservation and energy efficiency, but they also improve quality of life by reducing administrative and operational expenses over time. Notwithstanding the achievements of GBs growth in China, there are unresolved enquiries that want clarification. This research examines the expansion of GBs in China from the perspective of construction employees, exploring their perceptions and sentiments on GBs. Employees of construction firms centered on Great Britain are questioned via a questionnaire. This audience offers a comprehensive perspective on contemporary GB development, since they are actively engaged in the design, construction, and management of GBs.
Employees of ten prominent Chinese construction companies in Shanghai, the nation's most populated city, completed a total of 200 questions. They are occupying several different work roles, including designers, engineers, sales representatives, and managers. The 20 questions include several subjects, including profiling, the current status of GBs in China, and their forecasts and recommendations for the future of GB growth. The study findings, derived from 178 valid questionnaires, indicate that construction industry workers are optimistic about the strategic objectives of GBs and possess a solid understanding of the concept and its practical implementations. Construction sector workers today encounter elevated expectations and see a significant transformation in the nature and scope of their roles due to the many changes required by the transition from traditional to sustainable structures. Maintaining compliance with the ever-evolving laws and evaluation criteria for GBs is an additional burden. Simultaneously, the construction industry must consistently modify its protocols for risk assessment, management systems, and interdepartmental coordination when executing GB projects. The Chinese government, corporate entities, and other stakeholders must collaborate to advance GBs nationwide. In the future, China's construction industry will be guided by sustainable development laws, which will undoubtedly result in green buildings.