MANAGING COMPLEXITY IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A SYSTEMS-BASED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT APPROACH FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS

Abstract Mixed-use developments have become a prominent feature of contemporary urban construction, combining residential, commercial, and public functions within a single project environment. While these projects offer economic and social benefits, they also introduce significant complexity arising from functional diversity, stakeholder multiplicity, and interdependent project systems. Traditional construction management approaches, which often rely on linear planning and fragmented control mechanisms, are increasingly insufficient to manage such complexity effectively. This paper argues that complexity in mixed-use developments should be understood as a systemic management challenge rather than as a collection of isolated technical problems. By adopting a systems-based construction management perspective, the study emphasizes the importance of managing interactions, feedback loops, and interdependencies across project subsystems. Complexity is conceptualized as an emergent property shaped by organizational structures, decision-making processes, and governance arrangements. The paper critiques conventional reductionist management models and proposes a systems-based construction management approach tailored to mixed-use developments. This approach integrates systems thinking, adaptive decision-making, and lifecycle-oriented coordination to enhance project resilience and performance. A conceptual framework is introduced to guide construction managers in navigating uncertainty, aligning stakeholder interests, and maintaining control without undermining flexibility. The study contributes to construction management literature by reframing mixed-use developments as complex adaptive systems and by offering a structured, management-centered framework for addressing project complexity. The findings provide practical insights for construction managers and developers seeking to deliver mixed-use projects more effectively in increasingly complex urban environments.