The construction sector is lagging behind other industries in terms of efficiency and value achievement. Several building sector initiatives are introduced to improve productivity and project value enhancement. Significant developments such as Lean principles and BIM tools have been applied in the construction sector to achieve efficiency and enhanced productivity while minimizing waste. Lean principles in construction practice are a developing research area, and BIM tools have been widely used in construction project delivery and communications. Although these concepts are beneficial, barriers to their integration and joint implementation have not previously been explored. The paper investigates barriers to implementing Lean and BIM and their interrelationships in the New Zealand construction industry. A three-step triangulation methodology was used in the study to validate the findings. The study used an extensive literature review process, case studies, and expert interviews to consolidate the findings. Barriers to Lean and BIM implementation in construction practice were identified, which include strong cultural resistance, lack of Lean-BIM understanding, resistance to change, lack of knowledge of the Lean-BIM method, and lack of support from senior staff in New Zealand organizations. The effect of implementing Lean-BIM principles is discussed, as are recommendations for implementing the method in construction practice.

Purpose: This study proposes a guideline for integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology and lean construction practices to address the construction industry’s challenges in transitioning to environmentally friendly developments.Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a qualitative research method, integrating and validating lean principles with BIM tools by extensively analysing previous studies. Subject matter expert interviews were conducted to validate the findings and create conceptual maps. Thematic and content analyses were performed to develop the proposed guidelines and recommendations.Findings: The study highlights the potential of integrating BIM and lean construction practices to enhance productivity and reduce waste. The proposed guidelines provide practical recommendations for improving the implementation of BIM and lean practices, offering a structured approach for stakeholders to address critical challenges.Research limitations/implications: While this study provides valuable insights, it primarily focuses on the New Zealand (NZ) context. Future research could explore the applicability of the proposed guidelines in different regions and consider quantitative validation methods to strengthen the findings.Originality/value: This research contributes to the field by providing a novel guideline for integrating BIM and lean construction practices, addressing critical implementation challenges. The study offers valuable insights for global construction practices aiming to adopt advanced management approaches.

This study addresses the urgent need for comprehensive climate education amid a climate emergency. Human (energy) behaviors are developed from childhood and early adulthood. This study hypothesizes that transcending a nation’s net-zero energy ambition can be accomplished through experiential education. An Urban Governance Lab plus nEt-Zero Energy league model is introduced. Various behavioral interventions are designed based on the principles of serious games. Discussions provide rich narratives on how a nation with so many diverse communities can forge a rapid net-zero transition. The blended multi-disciplinary STEM education can drive energy citizenship in campus-like communities. A scenarios-based analysis demonstrating the potential of the proposed model in shaping energy behavior in young citizens leading to net zero is presented. The results from the scenario analysis present optimistic evidence underlining how campus-like communities driven by bottom-up initiatives can realize net-zero ambition beyond hope.