1. Introduction

Sustainable development can be defined in terms of approaches that reduce negative environmental impacts while creating beneficial social and economic impacts. The Sustainable Development Goals developed by the UN define desired impacts in terms of 17 goals and sub-targets that countries should achieve by 2030 ^[1].

However, progress in achieving the SDGs has been poor and current trajectories indicate that many targets will not be achieved ^[2]. It is therefore important to identify and adopt approaches that more effectively integrate the achievement of the SDGs in industry practices^[3][4].

Within the construction sector, environmental impact is addressed by legislation such as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and green building rating tools such as BREEAM, LEED and CASBEE. These green building rating tools were developed in the UK, USA and Japan and are well established.

However, reviews indicate that some green building rating tools only partially address the SDGs and have a limited focus on social and economic sustainability impacts^[5][6][7].

In developing countries, social and economic issues such as unemployment, health and education are important priorities. Developing countries also tend to have large infrastructure backlogs that need to be addressed and the construction of new housing and education and health facilities is likely to continue in the short to medium term^[8]. Carrying out these construction projects provides a valuable opportunity to create beneficial social and economic impacts such as local employment and support the achievement of the SDGs.

2. Implications of the Sustainable Development Goals for Building Construction

An analysis of the SDGs indicates that some goals, such as those related to water, energy and cities have direct implications for construction. For others, such as those on poverty and inclusion, the implications are less clear and may be indirect. Implications for construction derived from the SDGs are shown in the table below.

3. What Measures Are Currently Undertaken To Create Beneficial Social and Economic Impacts Through Construction?

Creating beneficial social and economic impacts through construction requires social and economic impacts to be specified as outcomes and planning and investments made to achieve these. This approach can be illustrated through the example below.

From a government’s point of view, marginalization and unemployment have substantial impacts and costs and have to be addressed. Therefore, if construction provides a way of addressing this effectively it is worth pursuing this and making investments that create both beneficial social and economic impacts as well as the asset itself^[9].

Examples of construction methods used to create beneficial social and economic impacts are outlined below.

Labour-intensive construction

Labour-intensive construction describes construction approaches which pursue opportunities to create employment and work opportunities for people. Thus, building designs, the selection of materials, and construction methods aim to maximize the use of manual methods rather than the use of equipment to create and sustain jobs^[10].

Small enterprise development

Small enterprise development describes approaches in which services and products are procured from small enterprises during construction projects to support and develop these. This can be achieved through procurement processes that require the main, or large contractors, to source goods and services from small enterprises. Alternatively, contracts may be broken down into smaller packages which can be procured from smaller enterprises instead of one large contractor.

Health and safety

Health and safety describes processes that ensure that construction workers are healthy and safe. While health and safety are increasingly addressed in legislation and policy, this is not always carried through into everyday practices on site. In addition, conventional health and safety measures focus on issues such as injuries that may occur on-site. In developing countries, it may be necessary to go beyond this and address conditions that are prevalent locally, such as HIV/AIDS^[11].

Education and training

Education and training describe capacity development activities that are conducted to improve the knowledge and skills of people who work on construction and buildings^[12]. These activities aim to ensure that the people receiving them can access further work and self-employment activities after the completion of the work on site.

The selection of materials and products

The selection of materials and products specified in buildings can be used to increase employment in several ways. Materials and products that are produced locally can be specified instead of those imported from another country. This supports the creation of local jobs and businesses^[13].

Inclusion

Inclusion refers to a focus on ensuring that benefits from construction, such as employment, can be accessed by everyone. This means that there is an emphasis on ensuring that people such as women, youth and people with disabilities who may be marginalized can access opportunities^[14].

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

The examples show that construction can make substantial beneficial social and economic impacts and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Further research on the integration of SDGs into construction processes is recommended. In implementing construction projects that aim to achieve social and economic sustainability benefits, the following recommendations are made:

Awareness and training

An important initial step for achieving social and economic beneficial impacts through construction is awareness and training. Planning and a structured approach also need to be in place so that the client, built environment consultants and contractors understand social and economic impact objectives and their role in achieving these^[15].

Procurement and the administration of contracts

Effective procurement and contract administration processes are required to ensure that social and economic targets are achieved in practice. Targets must be integrated as deliverables in contracts and their achievement tracked^[12].

Support

While making sustainable construction targets a contractual commitment helps ensure they are achieved, structured responsive support also helps increase the chances of success. For example, support can be provided to local communities before construction projects start to ensure they are prepared and can benefit optimally from opportunities.