Quantity Surveyors' Competencies in the Emerging Green Building Adoption

Abstract

In the face of the rising cost of conventional buildings and relentless climate change, green buildings have been touted to ensure efficient resource maximisation and energy usage minimisation. However, there is a literature gap on green competencies for quantity surveyors towards the green building campaign. In this regard, this study aims to measure the relevance of the current and emerging green competencies required of quantity surveyors following the pathway guide of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). The study employed the quantitative research method in data gathering. Random sampling and questionnaires were administered to Quantity Surveying firms registered with QSRBN and CACin Lagos State. Descriptive statistics such as the measures of central tendency were used to analyse the data. The study discovered that competencies of utmost concern to enable Quantity surveyors to participate in green building are hard and soft valuation issues, expert advice on sustainable material selection, expert advice on environmental law and policy, sustainable valuation and expert advice on the financial impact of green buildings as imperative in fully giving the quantity surveyor the technical know-how to contribute and participate in green building advisory services.  Therefore, Urgent intervention is required for the extensive building of knowledge in these areas for AEC curricula and to develop capacity vital for professionals to participate in sustainable infrastructure delivery.