An investigation into building material and waste logistics: the case of cape town

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to establish a base level of understanding of building material and construction and demolition (C&D) waste logistics.  The methodology used included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted on seven sites in Cape Town, whose main tasks were to establish the dynamics of construction logistics and deliver a set of criteria for the assessment of vehicle utilisation efficiency and to establish a benchmark for future policy.  The field study used principles of naturalistic enquiry and purposive sampling.  The critical finding from the literature review was that by adopting supply chain management (SCM), construction could reduce waste at all stages of the construction process.  Analysis of the findings lead to the conclusions that vehicle utilisation is sub-optimal; there is spare capacity in both material delivery and waste removal; material delivery and waste removal are not integrated; reverse logistics could be developed to integrate material delivery and C&D waste removal.  The implication of the conclusions is that by utilising the spare capacity of delivery vehicles, 26% of vehicle movements in Cape Town can be removed.  The recommendations for industry include that, logistics and sustainability should be used as criteria for contractor selection and that contractors should rationalise their staff transport.  The recommendations for academia include the need to conduct a city wide simulation of logistics to highlight potential for synchronisation; extensive statistical testing to establish generalisability of the results and development of a prototype multiple use construction vehicle.  By developing a theoretical best practice for construction logistics using bespoke methodology, the research has contributed to the enhancement of the understanding of construction logistics as the industry moves into the 21^st century.