(This article has been published in the IIE (HQ) website).

By Sammy Wan, Hong Kong University

The construction industry in Hong Kong has over the years produced various engineering excellent feats. It has collectively contributed to the remarkable social and economic transformation of our society. This article briefly introduces some recent developments for knowledge sharing.

The construction industry is one of the main pillars of Hong Kong’s economy. A package of measures has been implemented to substantially lift the quality and performance of the industry. With regard to the procurement system, particularly for our public mammoth projects, balanced considerations are given to both tender price and quality attributes such as technical capability, workmanship, past performance, accident records, environmental performance, etc. On the other hand, a proactive approach to resolve claims and disputes has been promoted in the industry. A ‘Mediate-First’ Pledge is now encouraged to support greater use of mediation as a flexible, creative and constructive approach in resolving disputes. Certainly, recent wider adoption of partnering in Hong Kong can reduce distrust and multiple checks and supervisory layers which in turn ultimately helps achieve shared project objectives. Effort is being spent in the industry on examining partnering and contract price fluctuation system to enhance the contract procurement system.

The uplifting of construction quality requires a change of mindset among all industry participants to minimize non-value adding components in the lifecycle. A Voluntary Subcontractor Registration Scheme administered by Construction Industry Council has been established in Hong Kong to raise the standards of subcontractors. Numerous trainings and workshops have been provided to the listed subcontractors who are committed to improving themselves. Meanwhile, a mandatory construction workers registration scheme has been introduced and as the first region adopting such scheme in the world, the legislation-backed scheme is useful for improving the quality of construction works through assessment and certification of the skill levels of various trades of construction workers. Each registered worker is issued with a smart card and electronic data relevant to the registration will be stored in the chip embedded inside the card. The principal contractors are required to implement an innovative computerized registration management system by using a card reader, secure authentication module card and site attendance module programme. With the introduction of this scheme, the development of skilful, quality and multi-skilled work teams seems possible through progressive and systematic planning, training and assessment.

Modern technologies can play a role in improving buildability and work efficiency while reducing wastage.Computer simulation models and documentation management systems have widely been promoted to enhance design capability and logistics management. Prefabrications coupled with the use of modular components are widely adopted, in particular of pubic clients as the lead in Hong Kong. Structured site supervision systems have been implemented by the government departments to safeguard built quality and work safety. Independent technical audits and performance assessment schemes are conducted through site inspections, desktop assessments and record checks against defined standards in order to guard against substandard works.

In fact, the industry has shown a sign of recovery with the announcement of sizable major infrastructure projects by the government such as Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the strategic advantages in the oil-fuelled Mainland China. It is expected that the government’s expenditure will reach a high level of HK$40-50 billion per year in the next few years. Moreover, vast opportunities are grasping owing to the implementation of ‘Operation Building Bright’ campaign for refurbishing aging buildings and beautifying the Hong Kong cityscape, and heritage conservation policy in Hong Kong. With the numerous enviable achievements and advantages, it is believed that the industry will continue to play a significant role in making Hong Kong a world-class city as well as developing a competitive and prosperous Pearl River Delta River Region.

(Sammy Wan is a Ph.D. student at Hong Kong University. He was the winner of the 2009 Student Best Construction Paper Award.)