Environmental impact assessment policies and practices in the Chinese construction industry | |
| Author | Chang, Jianwen |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. ST-98-34 |
| Subject(s) | Construction industry--China Environmental impact analysis |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study is to assess the awareness among construction participants of environmental impact and to identify problems hindering effective EIA studies and successful environmental management in the Chinese construction industry. The combination of questionnaire survey, case study of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports, and literature study of government polices is the methodology used for this purpose. Environmental management in China has been adopted as a process of trying to achieve and promote sustainable development by balancing environmental concerns and fast economic growth. From the late 1970s, the government made more efforts in integrating the reforms and open policy with environmental considerations for long-term development. Currently, a basic legal framework has been formed in China, but it is far from being completed yet. Weaknesses in law enforcement imply the need for strengthening the enforcement capabilities of the NEPA and EPBs. EIA is still a new development concept in China. The EIA process has been evaluated with respect to parameters of local consultation, mitigation measures, and other probable alternatives, as well as investment involved within it. The effective participation of the public is a key factor for the success of environmental protection programs, and the lack of local participation has frequently resulted in ineffective programs. The assessment of awareness of environmental impact in the construction industry is an important step to enhance environmental management in this field. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the level of environmental awareness of construction participants including clients, designers, contractors and environmental engineers. The survey gave a picture of the environmental management currently being practiced in the construction industry in the Beijing area. It was found that ineffective environmental management practices in the construction industry and low environmental awareness among these organizations at present, reflect the weaknesses in technical, financial, educational, organizational, political and policy related aspects of environmental management in China, which mainly need further efforts made by the government and research institutions. Conclusions regarding the current level of environmental awareness in construction participants, problems hindering the effective EIA study and environmental management are listed, and recommendations with possible solutions and suggestions for further study in this field are also presented. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Civil Engineering |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Structural Engineering (STE) /Former Name = Structural Engineering and Construction (ST) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ogunlana, Stephen O.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Minato, Takayuki;Remigio, Amador A.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | ADB (Japan); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |