Globally, higher education institutions (HEIs) have continued to record varied sustainable development (SD) implementation performances. This variance has been attributed to the presence of certain organisational factors. Whereas previous studies have successfully identified the factors influencing SD implementation performance in HEIs, few studies have attempted to explore the relationship between these factors and the influence of such a relationship on the management of SD implementation in HEIs. This is the objective of this study. Understandably, knowledge of such relationships will facilitate the development of appropriate frameworks for managing SD implementation in HEIs. Relying on a case study of a South African University of Technology (SAUoT), this study elicits data through a focus group discussion session. An interpretative structural modelling (ISM) focus group protocol indicating extant pair-wise relationships between identified organisational factor categories was extensively discussed. The emergent data was recorded, transcribed verbatim and subsequently analysed. The findings suggest that communication was critical to the prevalence of other factors, hence indicating its centrality to the effective management of SD implementation in HEIs. These findings will guide implementing agents in HEIs towards developing appropriate mechanisms for communicating SD implementation strategies.

Purpose: Green business models (GBMs) in the construction sector represent the logic of green value creation and capture. Hence, the call to examine GBMs is growing ever louder. The aim of this paper is to identify benefits of GBMs by adopting five essential elements of the GBM from the literature: green value proposition; target group; key activities; key resources (KR); and financial logic. Design/methodology/approach: In all, 19 semi-structured interviews are conducted with construction sector practitioners and academics in the UK. Thematic analysis is used to obtain benefits of GBMs. Further, the interpretive ranking process (IRP) is used to examine which elements of the GBM have a dominant role in providing benefits to construction businesses. Findings: The benefits are grouped into three themes: credibility/reputation benefits; financial benefits; and long-term viability benefits. The IRP model shows that the element of KR is the most important when evaluated against these three benefit themes. Practical implications: Linking GBM elements and benefits will help companies in the construction sector to analyse the business case of embracing environmental sustainability. Originality/value: This research is one of the few empirical academic works investigating the benefits of GBMs in the construction sector. The IRP method is a novel contribution to GBMs and construction research.

This paper presents a user-centred design method for developing prototype housing designs in the Paipe community of Abuja, Nigeria, addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). UCD is a qualitative methodology that prioritises end users in the design process. This study employs qualitative methods to collect data through interviews, field surveys, and site analysis using a single case study. The UCD approach was used to develop a profile of residents and identify their needs and preferences. Thematic analysis of the data led to the creation of design specifications and prototype designs. Two design options were developed: a cluster design based on field survey observations and an enclosed modern design based on residents’ preferences. This study contends that user-centred design (UCD) is essential for sustainable housing provision in LMICs, aligning with the United Nations’ adequate-housing programme.

The energy efficiency potential of a considerable number of Europe’s historical buildings is noteworthy. However, policymakers often express concerns about energy retrofits that may compromise the integrity of these structures and their surroundings. On the contrary, various strategies exist for enhancing energy efficiency in historic buildings without compromising their architectural constraints. The main aim of this study is to examine energy efficiency and retrofit strategies for historic commercial buildings in the UK. The case study that was selected is a historical building constructed in 1865 for the Water Works Company in the UK, whose function has changed through the years. The research methodology employed a combination of techniques that incorporated literature reviews, a case study, semi-structured interviews, and dynamic thermal simulations. For the purpose of obtaining reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and consumption of energy, the energy performance of five different retrofit treatment methods that have the smallest damaging effect on historical significance was examined. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating advanced building performance strategies, including wall enhancements, the optimisation of HVAC systems, and the implementation of minimally intrusive photovoltaic solutions. These interventions collectively contributed to achieving remarkable reductions in energy consumption, with electricity usage reduced by 100% and natural gas consumption decreased by 88.2%. Applying retrofit strategies reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 95% from 20,493.51 kg to 1274.76 kg per year. The findings underscore that, despite the considerable potential for enhancing energy efficiency in historic structures, there exists an extensive absence of understanding among homeowners concerning accessible regulations, grants, and practical energy-saving measures.