by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect

Improving the sustainability of urban development will rely on integration of green construction. Economic growth, ecological balance, and social equilibrium are the core principles for any stable urban area [1]. This can be achieved by focusing on energy and water efficiency, reducing operating cost, saving non-renewable resources, and improving environmental friendliness. Government standards have been set in many of these areas, and more people—both in and out of the industry—have adopted the mindset towards sustainable development.

Total Quality Management (TQM) is the idea applied across service and manufacturing sectors to enhance the quality in all areas. There has been resistance by construction industry to adopt this principle in favor of traditional methods [2]. To be competitive in the market, it is essential for construction companies to add quality and value for their clients and consumers. This requires more attention to building and maintaining client relationships while encouraging teamwork on the job site to produce better quality work. That aim towards continuous improvement is the exact point of TQM. Senior management must catch up with current innovations and technological developments that are being incorporated to every other market sector.

As the ISO 9000 standards gaining popularity in manufacturing worldwide, TQM became the strategic approach towards survivability of most companies. The management philosophy emphasizes overall satisfaction through continuous improvements of processes and to products [3]. Design and construction share many characteristics to service and manufacturing sectors, including customer demands, contractual obligations and professional responsibilities, yet problems with workmanship, time constraints and cost overruns plague the industry. Changes in the management of organizations will require the participation of all members aimed at long-term success through customer satisfaction and benefits to both stakeholder and the rest of society.

Effective implementation of TQM is centered around major six components: ethics, integrity, training, communication, leadership, and recognition [4]. Trust in any organization is built on faith in the skills, engagement, and participation of employees. This is achieved by establishing, maintaining and adhering to a code of ethics and professional conduct. Training programs for supervisors and staff creates an environment and culture of success. Communication is enhanced by improving interpersonal skills and abilities to work as a team, while searching for problem solving strategies leading to better decision-making. Leadership at various levels becomes a two-way processes of identifying issues and addressing them accordingly to achieve the most desirable outcomes. Finally, recognition for the positive contributions of individuals and teams of workers through respect and merits encourages them to strive for higher achievement and increase overall morale.

With the rapid growth in urban development around the world, the need for green construction has become readily apparent to counter the negative impact caused by environmental degradation and global warming [5]. Construction activities can no longer be focused solely on economic interest, and must address public health by enhancing the environment and reducing wasted of materials and energy. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has been developing and promoting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards as guidelines for current and future construction and development for the past twenty years.

Recent disasters and climate events are bringing finally bringing these issues to the forefront. The concerns of sustainable growth and its potential impacts on the future of society are becoming obvious. Though many stakeholders have been overly concerned with financial gains, public demands for green construction and sustainable design are behind the paradigm shifts in city planning, building development and human welfare [6]. Reducing environmental damage from construction while introducing energy efficiency and resource-saving technologies are driving principles toward a better tomorrow.

References
[1] Baronin, Sergey & Guschina, Ekaterina & Romanova, Anna. (2023). Integrated green construction as a prerequisite for sustainable urban development. E3S Web of Conferences. 403. 10.1051/e3sconf/202340302013.
[2] Nouban, Fatemeh & Abazid, Mohammad. (2017). An Overview of the Total Quality Management in Construction Management. Academic Research International. 8. 68-74.
[3] Pohutezhini, B & S Dr, Arulkumar. (2022). A Study of Factors Influencing Total Quality Management Practices in Construction Industry. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research. vol 5, iss 11, pg 2101-5.
[4] Al Salihi, Rasha & Ghasemlounia, Redvan. (2021). Total Quality Management Benefits and Barriers in Construction Industry. International Journal of Engineering and Management Research. 11. 193-199. 10.31033/ijemr.11.1.26.
[5] Wijayaningtyas, Maranatha & Hutama, Renaldy & Winanda, Lila & Meliala, Jericho. (2023). The Success Factors of Green Construction Management Implementation on Building Projects. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 1165. 012003. 10.1088/1755-1315/1165/1/012003.
[6] Mottaeva, Angela & Epkhiev, Oleg & Moiseev, Aleksandr. (2023). Factors of the “green” construction development from the point of view of different stakeholder. E3S Web of Conferences. 402. 10.1051/e3sconf/202340207031.