A systems and cybernetics approach to corporate sustainability in construction

Sustainability is a complex challenge that has to be met at all levels of society. The construction sector has a particular responsibility to do so, due to its significant sustainability impacts. The purpose of this thesis is to facilitate the effective transition to sustainability of construction sector companies. In order to address the complexity involved, a systems and cybernetics approach is adopted. It is used to describe sustainability and sustainable development as a goal and an adaptive process. At the corporate level, it is used to review a number of sustainability related concepts, methods and tools; the organisational levels for their effective implementation are then identified, using the cybernetic Viable System Model (VSM). The systems approach is also used to review a number of sustainability assessment tools for construction projects and appreciate their different properties. In order to aid the sustainability management of a specific Property Development Company (PDC), an organisational structure is designed based on the VSM. This is combined with sustainability and sustainable construction tools to form a complete management framework. It is also used to identify the intervention points where a PDC, or other type of organisation, can most effectively improve its sustainability performance. Thus, this thesis offers an important step towards the sustainability of the construction sector.