Construction in Developing Countries: Current imperatives and potential

The study is a review of the state of knowledge on the construction industries in developing countries and an attempt to explore new ways to address the task of developing the industries to enhance their capabilities to deliver the buildings and infrastructure which the countries require to improve the quality of life of their citizenry. The nature of the long-term national development task of the developing countries is discussed to provide the background for the examination of the ways in which the construction industry can contribute to the fulfilment of the broad aspirations of the nations, and the attainment of their developmental goals. The objectives are: to consider the needs for built items in the developing countries in the context of national development; to examine the challenges and problems facing the construction industries and consider the usual solutions suggested; to explore possible new, contextually relevant ways in which the industries can be developed and their performance improved; and to consider how construction in developing countries can leapfrog developmental stages, and draw lessons for the industrialised countries. The study is based on an analysis of data on existing needs of construction items in the developing countries; and a review of literature on the development of the industries in these countries. An analysis of relevant key overarching issues and factors in the economies of the developing countries and a consideration of the construction industry from its basic nature, informed the drawing of inferences on new ways of improving the performance of the construction industries in the developing nations. The possibility of leapfrogging in many areas is explored. It is suggested that the construction industries in the developing countries have the potential to offer lessons for their counterparts in industrialised countries.