Sustainability challenges and opportunities in UAE construction industry: An analytical survey

Abstract. The construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is facing significant challenges in adopting sustainable practices. This study identifies and categorizes these challenges into four main categories: economic, capacity/professional, social, and technical challenges. 27 challenges were identified in these categories from literature and provided for a survey of the views of 62 industry professionals. The survey results highlight various barriers such as higher initial costs, longer project timelines, insufficient professional training, limited public awareness, and technological integration issues. Addressing these challenges will require a multi-faceted approach, including insurance interventions, increased information and education programs, public awareness campaigns, increased research and development, and improved collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. The paper concludes with recommendations for future work, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to promote sustainable construction in the UAE, thereby contributing to environmental conservation, economic stability, and improved quality of life.