Laura Pinfold
Lecturer
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
South Africa

Abstract
Using Geo-Spatial Technology to Manage Inner-City Building Construction with Confined Space and Congested Access, Cape Town, South Africa

Co-Author: Dr, Julius Ayodeji Fapohunda, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa

This research seeks to examine the shortcomings of current inner-city building production processes in Cape Town, South Africa. Confined space, congested access and the proximity of over crowed public places pose challenges when it comes to inner-city construction. The increasing number of inner city developments in Cape Town suggests that congested site construction is rapidly becoming the norm within the construction industry. This demands innovative ways of improving building construction processes in urban centres for increased competitiveness. The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent construction firms in South Africa are using geo-spatial technology to manage issues such as health and safety of personnel in close proximity to machinery, storage of materials, access to the construction site, and the availability and delivery of construction materials. Empirical studies indicate that construction firms in South Africa are reluctant to employ new technology. The possible cause for this could be financial, logistical difficulties, risk, waiting for improvements in the technology, lack of knowledge of new technology, lack of commitment of top management, training of personnel, affording experimental time, sharing/exchange of information and lack of strong leadership. A causal-comparative approach has been adopted to investigate to what degree innovative technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Location Awareness Technology (LAT), point cloud scanners, spatial awareness tools (bar code scanners), remote sensing (UAV/Drone) and wireless video surveillance cameras support each of the five management process groups that interact in a project i.e. initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and closing. It is imperative that construction firms realise that intelligent use of data and information is needed to address project constraints such as cost, time and quality. Project management knowledge areas such as risk management, knowledge management, cost management, time management and others need to be addressed. Interviews with engineers, architect and land surveyors involved in the construction industry highlighted the need for accurate data for improving production process on congested construction sites, as well as for better decision-making about machinery, materials, manpower, cost, time and quality. Management principles and practices i.e. organising, controlling, delegating, forecasting, planning, communication and co-ordination need innovative processes for building production. There was a general interest in BIM technology as a way of integrating and collaborating information. Geo-spatial awareness and the use of high-quality data allow physical assets to be located and documented to facilitate industry regulatory requirements to ensure safe and ongoing operations. These results are discussed and analysed in this paper.