Agency and sustainability in the construction industry

Abstract

The construction industry is responsible for major environmental impact, particularly in terms of energy consumption, biodiversity and waste. As a sector, construction has unique characteristics including dependence on the temporary structure of the project for the delivery of its product, the built environment, and the requirement for joint working of many organisations, from micro to large. The lens of agency offers a valuable perspective with which to examine how individual professionals, projects and organisations can contribute to more sustainable outcomes. The chapter draws on the literature, primarily from psychology and construction research, to offer a review of relevant research from 2005. It explores conceptualisations of agency, and the role of agency in driving towards greater sustainability in construction. The findings note the dearth of research focusing directly on agency, and the evidence for mechanisms through which agency may exert influence, including professional and collective identities, professional and personal commitment to sustainability, narratives and framing, and the construction of knowledge. The chapter suggests questions for a future research agenda including examining success stories of sustainable construction through the lens of agency; exploring non-human agency such as materials, buildings and organisations; and the potential of altered discourses including visionary, future-oriented narratives.