INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA
Serah Gichamba - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Cavens Kithinji - Department of Open Learning Programs, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The performance of the construction projects in Kenya is poor as most projects experience time and cost overrun. About 70 percent Compliance with environmental regulations and bureaucracies involved influence the time and cost of completing projects. To improve the performance of construction projects, construction firms need to put into consideration environmental regulations from the planning phase of the project to the completion stage. This study investigated the influence of environmental regulations on the performance of construction projects in Nairobi County. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the influence of water regulations on the performance of construction projects in Nairobi County; establish the influence of waste management regulations on the performance of construction projects in Nairobi County; assess how noise and vibrations regulations influence the performance of construction projects in Nairobi County; and determine the influence of physical planning regulations on the performance of construction projects in Nairobi County. The study used correlational research design. The target population was 824 registered construction firms in Nairobi County who are overseeing construction projects in Nairobi. Slovin's Formula was used to determine the sample size. The study utilized a stratified random sampling to select a sample of 269 construction firm owners from the target population. Both secondary data and primary data were used in this study. Secondary data was obtained from national construction authority reports for the last five years. This study used semi-structured questionnaires in the collection of primary data. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of inferential statistics and descriptive statistics with the help of statistical software known as Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Frequency distribution, mean, percentages, and standard deviation are inclusive of descriptive statistics. Presentations of the results were in tables and figures. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship dependent and independent variable. The study found that water regulations have significant influence on performance of construction projects in Nairobi County. The study also found that waste management regulation has significant influence on performance of construction projects in Nairobi County. Moreover, the study found that noise and vibration regulations has little significance influence on performance of construction projects in Nairobi County. Further, the study established that physical planning regulation has insignificant influence on performance of construction projects in Nairobi County. The study recommends that construction firms should conduct environmental impact assessment for them to enhance accessibility of construction permit from relevant authorities. The study also the study recommends that the construction firms in Nairobi County should use recycling, open dumping and landfilling to improve on waste management among the construction firms. Moreover, the study recommends that construction firms should purchase equipment that minimize the level of vibration emission, use equipment that meet ISO test code for vibration and employee competent assessment officers so as to enhance effectiveness of noise and vibration assessment among the construction firms. Further, the study recommends construction firm should employ competent physical planning advisors, allocate resources for planning and involve shareholders in planning process so as to improve on zoning of construction projects.
