Field diagnosis of challenges and facilitators to the adoption of green building principles in multi-purpose office facilities

The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of built environment professionals with respect to the factors affecting the implementation of green building projects, and identify the facilitators regarded as the most important to enhance the adoption of green building.Case studies were conducted on purposive selected green building projects based in Cape Town, South Africa, to ascertain the barriers and motivation to the adoption of green building. The primary data were obtained using a semi-structured interview, and respondents included consultants, and contractors' management teams registered with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The response data was analysed using content analysis.Regulatory factors were identified as key barriers to adoption and implementation of green building projects. The study also identified some key facilitators that enhance the adoption of green building. These include attributes of adopters such as skill experience, and reputation of firms to undertake green building projects, green policy framework, incentives, and financial support from financial institutions.Design and construction firms should institute a mechanism for evaluating performance periodically, and identify challenges encountered in respect of green building projects they are involved in. Early identification of challenges and taking proactive steps to rectify problems are likely to ensure survival in the industry.The findings of this research contribute to a better understanding of the barriers to green building, and the factors that engender the adoption and implementation of green building projects.