Critical Regulatory Characteristics for Sustainable Building Construction in South Africa

Despite continuous advocacy for sustainable building construction (SBC), it is hardly implemented in Africa. There have been varied views on whether regulatory characteristics concerning SBC should be voluntary or mandatory. Experts recommend customising regulatory characteristics to fit the specific country setting. This paper confirms the critical characteristics of implementing SBC in South Africa (SA) effectively. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from professionals in the built environment in SA. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, determining group opinion differences, model tests, and fit statistics for a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). It was revealed that mandatory enforcement of sustainable construction rules, mandatory assessment, mandatory sustainable building certifications, and mandatory incentive programs are necessary to implement SBC successfully. This study’s practical implications stem from its ability to provide stakeholders and policymakers with the necessary understanding of the key aspects to help them properly direct reform plans. Laws, regulations, and assessments that must be strictly enforced imply that all stakeholders must have a grave corporation or mandate for practical SBC to accomplish sustainable development goals. By confirming the critical regulatory characteristics, this study would drive and assist government agencies, construction companies, policymakers, and built environment stakeholders in properly guiding improvement initiatives.