The construction industry is a vital part of every nation’s economy. Construction activities influence the social, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainability. There are so many barriers to sustainable construction and demolition waste management (C&DWM). This study aims to identify barriers for effective sustainable C&DWM in developed and developing countries. To achieve the objective, 11 barriers have been selected and identified based on an excessive and comprehensive literature review, and then reviewed by experts. These reviewed barriers were further examined by various experts within different organizations using a questionnaire survey. Ranking of the barriers was carried out using the Relative Importance Index (RI), and the results were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Practical solutions were proposed to overcome the identified barriers. The overall ranking of barriers by RI indicates that insufficient attention paid to C&DWM, lack of law enforcement, lack of regulation, and financial constraints represent the four major barriers to sustainable C&DWM in these countries. The findings of this study and the proposed solutions are enablers for decision-makers to develop effective strategies to tackle construction and demolition wastes in sustainable manners.

The global building and construction industry faces increasing challenges related to efficiency, performance, and sustainability, which significantly impact project success, particularly in developing economies. The timely and successful completion of building and construction projects is crucial for economic development; however, various barriers hinder effective project execution. This study identifies and empirically analyzes the critical barriers affecting building and construction project performance in two developing countries with distinct economic profiles, Ghana and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A comprehensive literature review and expert interviews identified fourteen key barriers to project performance, ensuring clarity and technical relevance. Using an empirical questionnaire survey targeting experienced professionals, including contractors, clients, and consultants, the study employed the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Spearman’s correlation analysis to rank and examine the interrelationships between these barriers. The findings reveal that poor communication (RII = 0.831, ranked 1st), project cost and schedule constraints (RII = 0.806, ranked 2nd), and inadequate monitoring and evaluation (RII = 0.786, ranked 3rd) are the most significant barriers to project success in both contexts. These challenges align with global sustainability concerns, particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which emphasize resilient infrastructure and sustainable urban development. The study highlights the crucial role of decision makers, regulatory frameworks, and financial planning in overcoming these barriers and enhancing project outcomes. By addressing these constraints, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers, project managers, and industry stakeholders to improve project execution efficiency and foster sustainable building and construction practices. Future research should explore adaptive mitigation strategies and technological innovations that enhance project delivery efficiency in developing economies.

Background. The generation and management of solid waste pose potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Objective. The present study examines the operational performance of mun...

The development and management of irrigation in many developing countries have been characterized by many challenges, which have led to irrigation capacity utilization on some existing schemes being very low. This study assesses small-scale irrigation scheme infrastructure in the Upper West Region of Ghana, using Yeleyiri irrigation scheme in the Wa West District and Pulima irrigation scheme in the Sissala West District as case studies. The focus of the assessment was on the status and an analysis of the rehabilitation requirements of the two schemes. In conducting the evaluation, transect walks, topographic surveys, field observation, field measurement, interviews, focused group discussions, and questionnaire surveys were the approaches and methodology adopted. The results showed that the head works, slopes, inlet and outlet structures, water distribution systems, and drainage in both schemes were in a deplorable state and thus, required maintenance to ensure the optimization of the utilization of both schemes. In addition, the absence of a farmhouse and storage facilities in both schemes made the effective management of the schemes a major challenge. The study, therefore, proposes some interventions for the rehabilitation and efficient optimization of the two small-scale irrigation schemes.

Hydropower is one of the most commercially developed renewable energy sources globally. This study assessed the hydropower generation potential of the Pwalugu River section of the White Volta River in Ghana using the depth-averaged shallow-water equations (SWEs) hydrodynamic model. Various topographic models of the seabed were engineered to assess the topographic response to hydrodynamic flow, including the formation of whirlpools. The modelled equations were discretised using the Lax-Wendroff iteration scheme, and Python 3.07 was employed to implement the algorithm. The computed hydropower associated with the flowing fluid showed a significant difference before and after interacting with the engineered bottom-topographic structures. The topographic response to the flow led to increased mass flow rate, instigated by the developed flowing whirlpool, which served as a dynamic energy storage system for the flow channel. The topographic model with two mounts arranged along the river channel could produce power within the range of 1.8 MW - 2.9 MW. These were observed at locations x = 240 m, x = 481 m, and x = 962 m from the source of disturbances. The study, therefore, showed that the Pwalugu River section of White Volta River has the potential of generating hydropower if turbines are sited at these locations to enhance power generation capacity for the electrification of rural communities and the utlisation of the spillage from the Bagre dam in Burkina Faso, which causes perennial flooding in low-lying communities along the White Volta and the Black Volta in Ghana.

Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, with sub-Saharan Africa being one of the most vulnerable regions. Ghana, a biodiversity hotspot, faces increasing pressure from climate change, which threatens its diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and coastal areas. This study assessed the current state of biodiversity in Ghana using ten (10) biodiversity indicators. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. Additionally, the study employed a convenience sampling technique to select 50 respondents, and the data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated using Cronbach’s Alpha to ensure reliability, and the results were presented using minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation values for the assessed biodiversity indicators. The study revealed a generally low to moderate level of health across the assessed biodiversity indicators, with significant concerns highlighted in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to forest degradation, habitat loss, and climate change. Forest degradation emerged as a critical concern, with a mean score of 2.55 and a high standard deviation of 1.472, indicating significant variability across the country. The low mean scores for the remaining indicators suggest that Ghana’s ecosystems were under considerable stress. The study proposes the strengthening and enforcement of policies to curb overexploitation of natural resources, particularly illegal logging and unsustainable mining practices, and the development and implementation of coherent climate policies that will integrate biodiversity conservation with climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in Ghana.