Sustainable Construction in Conflict Zones; Palestine as a Case Study

It is argued that wars are sometimes accompanied with population growth, poverty, lack of security, instability, natural resources degradation and destruction. The study aim is to investigate potential for improving sustainable construction outcomes in conflict zones. It discusses reconstruction in war zones taking Palestine as a case study, clarifying how conflicts affect sustainable construction development, and examine how sustainability can be triggered out of rubble that war created. The study attempts to prioritise the procedures and tasks involved in the reconstruction, trying to set a suitable framework for sustainable construction, through identifying five variables and testing the ten relationships between them.

The research has six objectives thus: OB1; To critically assess the extent of sustainability options application in projects in Palestine scored 43% of agreement. OB2; To measure the level of success of sustainable reconstruction efforts in Palestine, taking consideration of social, political and economic influences, scored 31%. OB3; To measure the extent of Israeli occupation policies on Palestinian construction sector, scored 79%. OB4; To critically appraise best practice in postconflict reconstruction processes, to fulfil initial remedies and at the same time benefit long-term development and help recovery that could be used to change unsustainable norms and behaviours in construction, scored 58%, and OB5; To evaluate and categorise obstacles and challenges hindering sustainable construction implementation in Palestine, scored 28%. Finally, OB6; To determine if there are relationships between the five variables in objectives 1 to 5 showed three significant relationships between the five variables.

The main data collection instruments are a critical appraisal of the literature review, a survey questionnaire and a focus group discussion, with eleven construction professionals in Palestine. The focus group debate structure was founded on issues in the literature. The questionnaire was replied to by 27 participants in the pilot stage and 97 in the final survey; data validity was supported by individual exploratory interviews with eight Palestinian experts in construction including, an authoritative figure on sustainable construction in Palestine.

Participants agreed that issues described in literature are applicable in the context of Palestine. Accordingly, a list of consequences of how war affects the construction industry in Palestine was agreed on, and how they hindered the development of sustainable construction. It is concluded that both private and public levels buildings are to last, by designing structures that can stand against military strikes; thus, using destruction to reconstruct in the right way. Sustainable construction in Palestine should focus on high resilience buildings and providing affordable homes. Socio-economic development and planning are needed as post conflict countries suffer from destruction, poverty and lack of access to basic needs. It is recommended to build stronger institutions and municipal systems for cities and update legislation to be able to anticipate, endure and rebound from crisis situations. Identifying risks and prepare suitable plans to mitigate and manage projects will encourage the private sector to invest more in conflict zones. The importance of this research is not limited to Palestine, it can be applied to other conflict zones to improve and implement sustainable construction. It offers an innovative analytical and methodological approach in sustainable construction in conflict zones, particularly in Palestine. It combines the simultaneous examination of environmental impact of conflicts, and appraises the political, social conditions that exist in conflicts. The output of this research is not limited to the chosen case study, yet can provide an effective basis for planners and decision-makers of a large number of similar areas to draw conclusions and lessons for green sustainable construction.