Exploring Barriers to the Adoption of Green Walls in Saudi Arabia Building Industry

Abdulhafeez Ahmad M. Alwafi^1,

¹Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24381, Saudi Arabia

Cite this paper:
Abdulhafeez Ahmad M. Alwafi. Exploring Barriers to the Adoption of Green Walls in Saudi Arabia Building Industry. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2024; 12(4):106-114. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-12-4-5

Abstract

Green walls (GWs), which involve breathing walls and natural facades, are commonly promoted as ecologically beneficial architectural design elements. GWs may be practical in all aspects of sustainability; they offer various economic, social, and environmental advantages to inhabitants of buildings. Although this is true, the popularity rate of GW remains in its early stages, and the extant research on the barriers to GW adoption is minimal. Accordingly, 17 barriers were determined through a comprehensive review of the available literature, followed by semi-structured interviews with 13 experts. With the help of 72 field practitioners, the factor analysis approach (EFA) is used to refine and analyse the correlation among the barriers. A mean and standard deviation scatter plot analysis followed to prioritize the identified impediments. The most notable obstacles to the implementation of GW are conservation expenses, high cost of installation, difficulty in maintenance, technical implementation, and the potential danger of fire. The findings encourage researchers to examine ways to enhance GW installation techniques and methodologies to eliminate barriers and give lessons to policymakers, therefore promoting the larger-scale implementation of GW. Given the scarcity of research on barriers to using GWs, this study presents a complete overview of the topic, offering knowledge that may be utilized as a foundation for future academics.

Keywords:
sustainability green building design GW implementation hindrance

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	R. C. Feitosa and S. J. J. J. o. C. P. Wilkinson, "Small-scale experiments of seasonal heat stress attenuation through a combination of green roof and green walls," vol. 250, p. 119443, 2020.
[2]	M. Imran, W. u. Hameed, and A. u. J. S. S. Haque, "Influence of industry 4.0 on the production and service sectors in Pakistan: Evidence from textile and logistics industries," vol. 7, no. 12, p. 246, 2018.
[3]	K. M. Gabriel and W. R. J. E. p. Endlicher, "Urban and rural mortality rates during heat waves in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany," vol. 159, no. 8-9, pp. 2044-2050, 2011.
[4]	K. Perini, P. J. B. Rosasco, and Environment, "Cost–benefit analysis for green façades and living wall systems," vol. 70, pp. 110-121, 2013.
[5]	E. A. Al-Atesh, Y. Rahmawati, N. A. W. A. Zawawi, and C. J. I. J. o. C. M. Utomo, "A decision-making model for supporting selection of green building materials," vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 922-933, 2023.
[6]	J. Coma et al., "Vertical greenery systems for energy savings in buildings: A comparative study between green walls and green facades," vol. 111, pp. 228-237, 2017.
[7]	E. Al-Atesh, Y. Rahmawati, N. Zawawi, A. J. I. J. o. A. S. Elmansoury, Engineering, and I. Technology, "Developing the green building materials selection criteria for sustainable building projects," vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 2112-2120, 2021.
[8]	T. Liberalesso, C. O. Cruz, C. M. Silva, and M. J. L. u. p. Manso, "Green infrastructure and public policies: An international review of green roofs and green walls incentives," vol. 96, p. 104693, 2020.
[9]	M. Radić, M. Brković Dodig, and T. J. S. Auer, "Green facades and living walls—a review establishing the classification of construction types and mapping the benefits," vol. 11, no. 17, p. 4579, 2019.
[10]	A. Mahdiyar et al., "Probabilistic private cost-benefit analysis for green roof installation: A Monte Carlo simulation approach," vol. 20, pp. 317-327, 2016.
[11]	M. J. J. o. H. Ahmed, "Sustainable management scenarios for northern Africa’s fossil aquifer systems," vol. 589, p. 125196, 2020.
[12]	S. Tabatabaee et al., "Deterrents to the adoption of green walls: a hybrid fuzzy-based approach," vol. 29, no. 9, pp. 3460-3479, 2022.
[13]	O. M. Morakinyo, M. I. Mokgobu, M. S. Mukhola, T. J. I. J. o. E. R. Godobedzha, and P. Health, "Biological composition of respirable particulate matter in an industrial vicinity in South Africa," vol. 16, no. 4, p. 629, 2019.
[14]	F. Ascione, R. F. De Masi, M. Mastellone, S. Ruggiero, and G. P. J. J. o. C. P. Vanoli, "Improving the building stock sustainability in European Countries: A focus on the Italian case," vol. 365, p. 132699, 2022.
[15]	J. J. U. T. Duda, University of New South Wales, Bachelor of Planning, "Incentives and barriers impacting the implementation of green building exteriors," 2009.
[16]	B. J. B. Riley and Environment, "The state of the art of living walls: Lessons learned," vol. 114, pp. 219-232, 2017.
[17]	P. Rosasco, K. J. B. Perini, and Environment, "Evaluating the economic sustainability of a vertical greening system: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of a pilot project in mediterranean area," vol. 142, pp. 524-533, 2018.
[18]	M. Manso, I. Teotónio, C. M. Silva, C. O. J. R. Cruz, and S. E. Reviews, "Green roof and green wall benefits and costs: A review of the quantitative evidence," vol. 135, p. 110111, 2021.
[19]	M. Manso, J. J. R. Castro-Gomes, and s. e. reviews, "Green wall systems: A review of their characteristics," vol. 41, pp. 863-871, 2015.
[20]	G. Vox, I. Blanco, E. J. B. Schettini, and Environment, "Green façades to control wall surface temperature in buildings," vol. 129, pp. 154-166, 2018.
[21]	J. Laurenz, I. Paricio, J. Alvarez, and F. Ruiz, "Natural envelope. The green element as a boundary limit," in Proceedings of the 2005 World Sustainable Building Conference, Tokyo, Japan, 2005, pp. 27-29.
[22]	S. Farooq, M. J. C. E. Kamal Arif, and Architecture, "Analysis of green living walls: Individual awareness about its functional value and aesthetical quality," vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 444-449, 2020.
[23]	C. Bribach and D. Rossomano, "US Patent No. 8,141,294," ed: US Patent and Trademark Office Washington, DC, 2012.
[24]	N. Dunnett and N. Kingsbury, Planting green roofs and living walls. Timber press Portland, OR, 2008.
[25]	S. M. H. Zakeri and A. J. S. Mahdiyar, "The hindrances to green roof adoption in a semi-arid climate condition," vol. 12, no. 22, p. 9542, 2020.
[26]	K. Perini, M. Ottelé, A. Fraaij, E. Haas, R. J. B. Raiteri, and environment, "Vertical greening systems and the effect on air flow and temperature on the building envelope," vol. 46, no. 11, pp. 2287-2294, 2011.
[27]	G. Pérez, J. Coma, I. Martorell, L. F. J. R. Cabeza, and s. e. reviews, "Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) for energy saving in buildings: A review," vol. 39, pp. 139-165, 2014.
[28]	R. Terblanche, "Barriers of implementing green walls in the urban environment in developing countries," in WABER Conference Proceedings, 2019, pp. 229-241.
[29]	G. Hopkins and C. Goodwin, Living architecture: green roofs and walls. Csiro Publishing, 2011.
[30]	A. Smith et al., "Plant biology (New York: Garland Science)," ed: Taylor & Francis, 664p, 2010.
[31]	R. Fleck et al., "Characterisation of fungal and bacterial dynamics in an active green wall used for indoor air pollutant removal," vol. 179, p. 106987, 2020.
[32]	G. Perez, L. Rincon, A. Vila, J. M. Gonzalez, and L. F. J. A. e. Cabeza, "Green vertical systems for buildings as passive systems for energy savings," vol. 88, no. 12, pp. 4854-4859, 2011.
[33]	M. Ottelé, K. Perini, A. Fraaij, E. Haas, R. J. E. Raiteri, and Buildings, "Comparative life cycle analysis for green façades and living wall systems," vol. 43, no. 12, pp. 3419-3429, 2011.
[34]	S. Tabatabaee, A. Mahdiyar, S. Durdyev, S. R. Mohandes, and S. J. J. o. C. P. Ismail, "An assessment model of benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks of green roof installation: A multi criteria decision making approach," vol. 238, p. 117956, 2019.
[35]	F. Ascione, R. F. De Masi, M. Mastellone, S. Ruggiero, and G. P. J. E. Vanoli, "Green walls, a critical review: Knowledge gaps, design parameters, thermal performances and multi-criteria design approaches," vol. 13, no. 9, p. 2296, 2020.
[36]	K. Kontoleon, E. J. B. Eumorfopoulou, and environment, "The effect of the orientation and proportion of a plant-covered wall layer on the thermal performance of a building zone," vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 1287-1303, 2010.
[37]	P. O. Akadiri, P. O. J. E. Olomolaiye, Construction, and A. Management, "Development of sustainable assessment criteria for building materials selection," vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 666-687, 2012.
[38]	A. F. Kineber, I. Othman, A. E. Oke, N. Chileshe, and M. K. J. S. Buniya, "Identifying and assessing sustainable value management implementation activities in developing countries: The case of Egypt," vol. 12, no. 21, p. 9143, 2020.
[39]	I. Othman, A. Kineber, A. Oke, N. Khalil, and M. Buniya, "Drivers of value management implementation in building projects in developing countries," in Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2020, vol. 1529, no. 4, p. 042083: IOP Publishing.
[40]	I. Othman, M. Kamil, R. Y. Sunindijo, M. Alnsour, and A. F. Kineber, "Critical success factors influencing construction safety program implementation in developing countries," in Journal of physics: conference series, 2020, vol. 1529, no. 4, p. 042079: IOP Publishing.
[41]	P. J. I. J. o. S. R. M. Bazeley, "The evolution of a project involving an integrated analysis of structured qualitative and quantitative data: From N3 to NVivo," vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 229-243, 2002.
[42]	M. Mason, "Sample size and saturation in PhD studies using qualitative interviews," in Forum qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: qualitative social research, 2010, vol. 11, no. 3.
[43]	I. Othman, A. Kineber, A. Oke, T. Zayed, and M. J. A. S. E. J. Buniya, "Barriers of value management implementation for building projects in Egyptian construction industry," vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 21-30, 2021.
[44]	E. G. Ochieng and A. D. J. I. J. o. P. M. Price, "Managing cross-cultural communication in multicultural construction project teams: The case of Kenya and UK," vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 449-460, 2010.
[45]	M. K. Buniya et al., "Safety program elements in the construction industry: the case of Iraq," vol. 18, no. 2, p. 411, 2021.
[46]	H. F. J. p. Kaiser, "An index of factorial simplicity," vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 31-36, 1974.
[47]	K. Koc and A. P. J. J. o. M. i. E. Gurgun, "Stakeholder-associated life cycle risks in construction supply chain," vol. 37, no. 1, p. 04020107, 2021.
[48]	Q. Liang, M.-y. Leung, C. J. J. o. c. e. Cooper, and management, "Focus group study to explore critical factors for managing stress of construction workers," vol. 144, no. 5, p. 04018023, 2018.
[49]	S. Sharma, Applied multivariate techniques. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995.
[50]	A. F. Kineber, I. Othman, A. E. Oke, N. Chileshe, and M. K. Buniya, "Identifying and Assessing Sustainable Value Management Implementation Activities in Developing Countries: The Case of Egypt," Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 21, p. 9143, 2020.
[51]	A. K. M. J. A. S. E. J. Shamseldin, "Including the building environmental efficiency in the environmental building rating systems," vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 455-468, 2018.
[52]	K. Mathiyazhagan, A. Gnanavelbabu, and B. J. J. o. A. i. M. R. Lokesh Prabhuraj, "A sustainable assessment model for material selection in construction industries perspective using hybrid MCDM approaches," vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 234-259, 2019.
[53]	K. Govindan, K. M. Shankar, D. J. R. Kannan, and S. E. Reviews, "Sustainable material selection for construction industry–A hybrid multi criteria decision making approach," vol. 55, pp. 1274-1288, 2016.
[54]	K. Goh and J. Yang, "Developing a life-cycle costing analysis model for sustainability enhancement in road infrastructure project," in Proceedings of The Second Infrastructure Theme Postgraduate Conference: Rethinking Sustainable Development-Planning, Infrastructure Engineering, Design and Managing Urban Infrastructure, 2009, pp. 324-331: Queensland University of Technology.
[55]	J.-T. S.-J. Lombera, J. C. J. C. Rojo, and B. Materials, "Industrial building design stage based on a system approach to their environmental sustainability," vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 438-447, 2010.
[56]	M. A. Musarat, W. S. Alaloul, and M. J. A. S. E. J. Liew, "Impact of inflation rate on construction projects budget: A review," vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 407-414, 2021.
[57]	M. Masri, R. M. Yunus, S. S. J. P.-S. Ahmad, and B. Sciences, "Underlying concerns of socio-cultural aspects in green building rating systems towards improving quality of life," vol. 222, pp. 710-719, 2016.
[58]	J.-J. Wang, Y.-Y. Jing, C.-F. Zhang, J.-H. J. R. Zhao, and s. e. reviews, "Review on multi-criteria decision analysis aid in sustainable energy decision-making," vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 2263-2278, 2009.
[59]	A. Aidy, M. Rady, I. M. Mashhour, and S. Y. J. B. Mahfouz, "Structural design optimization of flat slab hospital buildings using genetic algorithms," vol. 12, no. 12, p. 2195, 2022.
[60]	H. M. Imran, J. Kala, A. Ng, and S. J. J. o. C. P. Muthukumaran, "Effectiveness of green and cool roofs in mitigating urban heat island effects during a heatwave event in the city of Melbourne in southeast Australia," vol. 197, pp. 393-405, 2018.