Sustainable construction has become a global mantra, seeking to achieve the minimization of resource depletion, the minimization of environmental degradation, and the creation of a healthy built environment. The literature evidence, however, shows that building projects have often been carried out without adequate consultation with quantity surveyors, who are knowledgeable about the legal and financial facets of sustainable construction. This study evaluates the role of quantity Surveyors (QS) in sustainable construction, exploring their contributions and effectiveness in implementing sustainable practices within the construction industry. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey focused on Rivers State due to the current vibrant property activities and market. A selective sampling technique was adopted in selecting a sample size of eighty-six (86) quantity surveyors in the study area. The study employed a questionnaire survey tool for data collection. Based on the analysis, the findings from the study suggest that quantity surveyors are actively engaged in sustainability assessment practices, performance evaluation, and value integration in the context of sustainable construction. The findings also reveal that Quantity surveyors proficiently incorporate green costing principles, utilize carbon footprint analysis, implement life cycle costing methodologies, and effectively engage with Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems in sustainable construction. The results of the study thus indicate that Quantity surveyors play a significant role in contributing to achieving zero carbon goals, enhancing property value, and attaining sustainability values in construction.

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1. Adewo A. Emerging developments in Nigerian construction industry: the roles of quantity surveyors. Akure: Dept. of Quantity Surveying, Federal University of Technology; 2016.
2. Babalola B. Harnessing the opportunities at the grassroots to make the quantity surveying profession competent in the national and international markets. In: NIQS Biennial Conference; 2006 Nov 22–25; Calabar.
3. Awodele OA, Ogunsemi DR, Adeniyi OO. An appraisal of private sector participation in infrastructure development in the Nigeria construction industry. Quantity Surveyor. 2012.
4. Oke A, Ogunsemi D, Awodele O. An examination of the management of quantity surveying firms in Nigeria; 2017.
5. Jagun O. Climate change and global disasters; developing sustainable infrastructures to achieve economic growth amidst declining economic resources. In: NIQS Biennial Conference. Abuja; 2021 Nov 17–20.
6. Ashworth A, Perera S. Cost studies of buildings. London: Routledge; 2015.
7. Hartenberger U, Lorenz D, Lützkendorf T. A shared built environment professional identity through education and training. Build Res Inf. 2013;41(1):60–76.
8. Dutta K, Chen H-Y, Wang X, Zekavat PR. Achieving sustainable construction through building information modeling over the complete life cycle. London: RICS; 2016.
9. Opoku A, Egbu C. Reflections on the relevance of sustainability literacy in a postgraduate built environment program. Int J Constr Educ Res. 2017;1–13.
10. Cartlidge D. New aspects of quantity surveying practice. London: Routledge; 2017.
11. Ma T, Luu HT. The changing role of quantity surveyors in the green building development in South Australia [dissertation]. Australasian University Building Educators Association; 2013.
12. Wong YM. The expanded role of quantity surveyors in green buildings. InProceedings for the 21st Annual Pacific Association of Quantity surveyors Congress (PAQS 2017). 2017 Jun;14:1–13.
13. Olowookere EO. Construction industry in Nigeria. J Build Civ Eng Contract Nigeria. 1985;2(2):6–10.
14. Idoro GI. Influence of quality performance on clients’ patronage of indigenous and expatriate construction contractors in Nigeria. J Civil Eng Manag. 2009;16:65–73.
15. Mbamali I, Okotie AJ. An assessment of the threats and opportunities of globalization on building practice in Nigeria. Am Int J Contemp Res. 2012;2(4):143–150.
16. Osofisan AO. Innovation as an agent of change in the Nigerian building industry. J Nigerian Inst Build. 2017;17–22.
17. Globalization and construction: meeting the challenges; reaping the benefits. Write-up for the call for papers; 2004. Available from: http://www.sce.ait.ac.th/GC2004.
18. Ameh OJ, Odusanmi KT. Professional ambivalence towards ethics in the Nigeria construction industry. J Prof Eng Educ Pract. 2010;136(1):9–16.
19. Blayse AM, Manley K. Key influences on construction innovation. Coop Res Centre Constr Innov Publ. 2017;4(3):143–154.
20. Babatunde SO, Opawole A, Ujaddughe IC. An appraisal of project procurement methods in the Nigeria construction industry. Civil Eng Dimens. 2016;14.
21. Debbattista M. The public-private partnerships procurement process: Concept and procurement stages. 2005.
22. Stephenson P, et al. E-procurement: an assessment of UK practice in construction. Constr Ind Board Publ. 2006;32–226.
23. Pakkala P. Innovation project delivery methods for infrastructure: An international perspective. 2020.
24. Tay WD. The transition of paradigms of the quantity surveying profession: relevancy, competencies and beyond. In: Proceedings of the HKIS and AIQS Joint Conference–How QS Will Succeed in Tomorrow’s World. Hong Kong; 2015 Nov. p. 10–16.
25. Cartlidge D. Quantity surveyor’s pocketbook. London: Routledge; 2012.
26. Dastbaz M, Gorse C, Moncaster A, editors. Building information modelling, building performance, design and smart construction. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2017.
27. Oke A, Aigbavboa C, Ibitoye O. Effect of globalisation on quantity surveying practice in an emerging economy. In: FIG Working Week 2017: Surveying the World of Tomorrow—Digitalisation to Augmented Reality; 2017.
28. Udeaja C, Aziz Z. A case study of fostering multidisciplinary in the built environment using BIM. In: Proceedings of the Annual ARCOM Conference; 2015 Sep; p. 701–710.
29. Olanrewaju A. Measuring the service gaps in the roles of quantity surveyors in the emerging market. Benchmarking. 2016;23(5):1111–1131.
30. Oyerinde A, Kolo BA, Gandu YJ, Minin SM. Where exactly are we on sustainable construction? The role of the quantity surveyor. Dept. of Quantity Surveying, Baze University & Ahmadu Bello University; 2020.

Sustainable construction has become a global mantra, seeking to achieve the minimization of resource depletion, the minimization of environmental degradation, and the creation of a healthy built environment. The literature evidence, however, shows that building projects have often been carried out without adequate consultation with quantity surveyors, who are knowledgeable about the legal and financial facets of sustainable construction. This study evaluates the role of quantity Surveyors (QS) in sustainable construction, exploring their contributions and effectiveness in implementing sustainable practices within the construction industry. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey focused on Rivers State due to the current vibrant property activities and market. A selective sampling technique was adopted in selecting a sample size of eighty-six (86) quantity surveyors in the study area. The study employed a questionnaire survey tool for data collection. Based on the analysis, the findings from the study suggest that quantity surveyors are actively engaged in sustainability assessment practices, performance evaluation, and value integration in the context of sustainable construction. The findings also reveal that Quantity surveyors proficiently incorporate green costing principles, utilize carbon footprint analysis, implement life cycle costing methodologies, and effectively engage with Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems in sustainable construction. The results of the study thus indicate that Quantity surveyors play a significant role in contributing to achieving zero carbon goals, enhancing property value, and attaining sustainability values in construction.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Adewo A. Emerging developments in Nigerian construction industry: the roles of quantity surveyors. Akure: Dept. of Quantity Surveying, Federal University of Technology; 2016.
2. Babalola B. Harnessing the opportunities at the grassroots to make the quantity surveying profession competent in the national and international markets. In: NIQS Biennial Conference; 2006 Nov 22–25; Calabar.
3. Awodele OA, Ogunsemi DR, Adeniyi OO. An appraisal of private sector participation in infrastructure development in the Nigeria construction industry. Quantity Surveyor. 2012.
4. Oke A, Ogunsemi D, Awodele O. An examination of the management of quantity surveying firms in Nigeria; 2017.
5. Jagun O. Climate change and global disasters; developing sustainable infrastructures to achieve economic growth amidst declining economic resources. In: NIQS Biennial Conference. Abuja; 2021 Nov 17–20.
6. Ashworth A, Perera S. Cost studies of buildings. London: Routledge; 2015.
7. Hartenberger U, Lorenz D, Lützkendorf T. A shared built environment professional identity through education and training. Build Res Inf. 2013;41(1):60–76.
8. Dutta K, Chen H-Y, Wang X, Zekavat PR. Achieving sustainable construction through building information modeling over the complete life cycle. London: RICS; 2016.
9. Opoku A, Egbu C. Reflections on the relevance of sustainability literacy in a postgraduate built environment program. Int J Constr Educ Res. 2017;1–13.
10. Cartlidge D. New aspects of quantity surveying practice. London: Routledge; 2017.
11. Ma T, Luu HT. The changing role of quantity surveyors in the green building development in South Australia [dissertation]. Australasian University Building Educators Association; 2013.
12. Wong YM. The expanded role of quantity surveyors in green buildings. InProceedings for the 21st Annual Pacific Association of Quantity surveyors Congress (PAQS 2017). 2017 Jun;14:1–13.
13. Olowookere EO. Construction industry in Nigeria. J Build Civ Eng Contract Nigeria. 1985;2(2):6–10.
14. Idoro GI. Influence of quality performance on clients’ patronage of indigenous and expatriate construction contractors in Nigeria. J Civil Eng Manag. 2009;16:65–73.
15. Mbamali I, Okotie AJ. An assessment of the threats and opportunities of globalization on building practice in Nigeria. Am Int J Contemp Res. 2012;2(4):143–150.
16. Osofisan AO. Innovation as an agent of change in the Nigerian building industry. J Nigerian Inst Build. 2017;17–22.
17. Globalization and construction: meeting the challenges; reaping the benefits. Write-up for the call for papers; 2004. Available from: http://www.sce.ait.ac.th/GC2004.
18. Ameh OJ, Odusanmi KT. Professional ambivalence towards ethics in the Nigeria construction industry. J Prof Eng Educ Pract. 2010;136(1):9–16.
19. Blayse AM, Manley K. Key influences on construction innovation. Coop Res Centre Constr Innov Publ. 2017;4(3):143–154.
20. Babatunde SO, Opawole A, Ujaddughe IC. An appraisal of project procurement methods in the Nigeria construction industry. Civil Eng Dimens. 2016;14.
21. Debbattista M. The public-private partnerships procurement process: Concept and procurement stages. 2005.
22. Stephenson P, et al. E-procurement: an assessment of UK practice in construction. Constr Ind Board Publ. 2006;32–226.
23. Pakkala P. Innovation project delivery methods for infrastructure: An international perspective. 2020.
24. Tay WD. The transition of paradigms of the quantity surveying profession: relevancy, competencies and beyond. In: Proceedings of the HKIS and AIQS Joint Conference–How QS Will Succeed in Tomorrow’s World. Hong Kong; 2015 Nov. p. 10–16.
25. Cartlidge D. Quantity surveyor’s pocketbook. London: Routledge; 2012.
26. Dastbaz M, Gorse C, Moncaster A, editors. Building information modelling, building performance, design and smart construction. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2017.
27. Oke A, Aigbavboa C, Ibitoye O. Effect of globalisation on quantity surveying practice in an emerging economy. In: FIG Working Week 2017: Surveying the World of Tomorrow—Digitalisation to Augmented Reality; 2017.
28. Udeaja C, Aziz Z. A case study of fostering multidisciplinary in the built environment using BIM. In: Proceedings of the Annual ARCOM Conference; 2015 Sep; p. 701–710.
29. Olanrewaju A. Measuring the service gaps in the roles of quantity surveyors in the emerging market. Benchmarking. 2016;23(5):1111–1131.
30. Oyerinde A, Kolo BA, Gandu YJ, Minin SM. Where exactly are we on sustainable construction? The role of the quantity surveyor. Dept. of Quantity Surveying, Baze University & Ahmadu Bello University; 2020.