Programme management has received an increased interest in the real estate construction sector. However, there is still ambiguity surrounding its definition and practices, and, as a result, the benefits of programme management remain unleveraged. Therefore, this research examined how public clients can leverage the benefits of programme management better within execution programmes to ensure construction projects contribute to programme delivery.

The research involved qualitative research consisting of an in-depth literature review, exploratory interviews, a multi-case study and an expert session. First, a literature review was executed to develop a conceptual framework. After that, ten exploratory interviews were conducted to familiarise with the public client organisation and to select two execution programmes within the organisation for the case study. The case study involved a document analysis for which an added six exploratory interviews were conducted to obtain a more holistic view of the cases. After this, eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted which were equally divided over the two case studies. The semi-structured interviews were with programme managers, stakeholders involved in the procurement process/contract management, project managers, and contractors. Lastly, the results of the semi-structured interviews were presented and discussed in an expert session with four programme manager experts.

The literature review resulted in a conceptual framework, which showed the importance and the embeddedness of benefits management in programme management. Despite that, the results of the empirical research did not show an explicit application of benefits management in the cases. Programme stakeholders, however, recognized the benefits of programme management. They mostly highlighted benefits related to efficiency and effectivity, including governance, resource, and learning benefits. The strategic benefits were less strongly recognized in the cases, particularly with stakeholders at the project level. Next to this, the research showed that benefits occur with specific interactions: governance and resource benefits arise from programme to project, and learning benefits occur both from project to programme and project to project. The research also showed barriers in realising these benefits. These barriers were presented to four experts in an expert session. Each of the presented barriers were recognized by at least two experts. Next to the barriers, the empirical research found various drivers for overcoming these barriers and further enhancing the realization of programme benefits.

In conclusion, the research showed that efficiency-related benefits can be leveraged through applying the drivers that foster the synergetic relationship between learning, on the one hand, and the governance and management of resources, on the other. However, more research is needed on how the strategic benefits of programme management can be leveraged as well.
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This research examines how engineering consultancy firms, partnering with public clients, define and perform their role within construction programmes, and how this role supports the achievement of programme goals. Programmatic working is increasingly used to address technical, organisational, and coordination challenges in the construction sector. However, it remains unclear how engineering consultancy firms move beyond traditional project-based support and how their role is shaped by programme governance.

The study applies a qualitative multi-method approach, combining a literature review with a multiple-case study of two Dutch public infrastructure programmes. Data were collected through document analysis and twelve semi-structured interviews with representatives at strategic, tactical, and operational levels. The cases were first analysed separately and then compared through a cross-case analysis. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework was developed and refined through expert validation.

The findings show that engineering consultancy firms contribute through a context-dependent role configuration. Their contribution is shaped by programme-level steering, clear responsibilities and mandates, interaction between programme and project levels, and organisational embeddedness across governance levels. When these conditions are sufficiently present, their role can extend beyond technical expertise towards coordination, standardisation, cross-project learning, trust-building, mediation, and alignment between programme goals and project activities. However, broader involvement also requires explicit agreements about expectations, responsibilities, mandates, and accountability, as unclear role boundaries may lead to role ambiguity or role conflict.

The study concludes that engineering consultancy roles in construction programmes should be understood as governance-dependent, context-sensitive, and dynamic. The developed framework helps public clients and engineering consultancy firms reflect on role positioning, level of influence, and the conditions needed for effective contribution to programme goals. Future research could further examine how governance conditions shape the relationship between broader organisational embedding of engineering consultancy firms, their contribution to programme goals, and the emergence of role ambiguity and role conflict. ... Read more

Engineer to Order (ETO) environments are characterized by high customization and client specific engineering, often resulting in inefficiencies due to frequent redesigns of components and processes. Standardization is known to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance predictability. It however originates from mass production, making its application in ETO environments challenging. This thesis investigates how suitable standardization strategies can be developed for product families in ETO organizations. Huisman Equipment, a Dutch manufacturer of offshore construction equipment, served as the main case study.
The main research objective is defined as: “To determine how a suitable standardization strategy can be established for product families in an Engineer to Order environment.” To address this, four research questions were formulated, focusing on identifying internal and external factors influencing standardization, measuring current levels of standardization, assessing alignment with project requirements, and determining which elements can be adapted to achieve a more suitable degree of standardization. A design objective was added: to establish a structured procedure for developing standardization strategies in ETO environments.
The study applies the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, combining a literature review with the design and evaluation of an artifact: the Standardization Strategy Development Procedure (SSDP). The SSDP consists of six sequential activities, following these will define the market strategy, analyse influencing factors, and generate improvements. Together, the activities provide a tailored standardization strategy
The procedure was demonstrated in a case study at Huisman, applied to three product families with different levels of uniqueness: knuckle boom cranes (KBCs), leg encircling cranes (LECs), and motion compensated pile grippers (MCPGs). The first three activities indicated that KBCs are the most suitable for standardization. By further executing the SSDP, a strategy was developed for KBCs that entails reducing customization to a set of standard types with configurable options, and adapting internal processes.
Evaluation through expert feedback and reflection confirmed the SSDP as a practical and well functioning tool. However, improvements are possible regarding the allowance of customization, integration of financial insights, and adaptation of internal processes when shifting from ETO toward more standardized approaches.
Theoretical contributions of this study include extending standardization theory to ETO environments by integrating influencing factors and models into a single framework. Practically, the SSDP provides ETO companies, particularly vertically integrated organizations, with a structured method to develop tailored standardization strategies that balance efficiency and flexibility. Limitations include the single case scope, uncertainty of long term impact, and limited quantitative data. Future research should apply the SSDP across multiple contexts and investigate long term impacts.
In conclusion, this thesis developed and demonstrated a structured, repeatable procedure that develops suitable standardization strategies. Thereby, it reduces existing uncertainty regarding standardization in the ETO environment.
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This study investigates how social capital can be developed to enhance team effectiveness in project-based cross-functional design teams within building team delivery methods. With this method, the contractor, client and other parties are involved early in the design phase to integrate their expertise into the design. Building on literature on social capital and team effectiveness, a sensitizing framework was created and empirically tested through a qualitative multiple-case study of three construction projects. Social capital is conceptualized as a dynamic and embedded emergent state, comprising of the structural, relational and cognitive dimension. Team effectiveness is described as the direct outcome of social capital encompassing both social actions and the intrinsic values experienced by team members. The study reveals that balanced development across all three dimensions of social capital, facilitated through continuous feedback loops and deliberate team practices, is essential for enhancing team effectiveness. The findings show how imbalances, particularly when the structural and cognitive dimension are neglected, can undermine team and project performance outcomes. A theoretical framework is proposed, emphasizing the need for clear roles, expectation management, critical dialogue and adaptive mechanisms. This research contributes a conceptual model for analyzing social capital in PBCFDTs and provides guidance for both practice and future research, suggesting longitudinal studies and broader application across project delivery methods. In short, the study shows that effective teamwork is not coincidental but built through deliberate social action enabled by social capital. ... Read more

In a context increasingly altered by the climate and biodiversity crises, the theoretical discourse and practices which shape the built environment have shifted in the past 50 years towards sustainable architecture, branching out on various concepts, such as adaptability, material life cycle assessment, circularity, urban mining and the digitization of the construction process. However, these strategies focus primarily on minimizing the environmental impact of the construction industry and thus, on mitigating climate change, while they miss addressing the inevitable impacts of a changing climate on architecture itself. If buildings are to be viewed as material repositories (Rau & Oberhuber, 2022), it becomes crucial to consider not only their material flows, but their material longevity and resilience as well. By perceiving weathering not solely as a destructive process, but as one of material exchange that encompasses both destructive and constructive elements, this research paper aims to identify what kind of constructive processes take place when materials are weathering, as well as what design strategies can facilitate these mechanisms. These phenomena lead to the bioprotection of the built environment and take the shape of physical bioprotection or biomineralization. Moreover, they can be achieved by making use of both natural and engineered ecological dynamics which take place on the outermost layer of a building. The analysis leads to a better understanding of material resilience and aims to contribute to a longer lifespan of the built environment in a changing climate. ... Read more

Contemporary project-based organisations recognise the importance of leveraging past project knowledge for competitive advantage. By leveraging the lessons learned from previous and ongoing projects, organisations can benefit from managing learning within and across projects effectively. Despite these benefits, challenges persist in effectively reusing captured knowledge. This qualitative study addresses this gap by investigating knowledge reuse in project-based organisations, with a focus on social learning mechanisms. The results underline the pivotal role of collaboration and social interactions in facilitating tacit knowledge sharing and reuse, along with the significance of learning on the job.

The research identifies drivers, barriers, and guiding principles for promoting knowledge reuse, addressing barriers such as motivation, resistance to change, and knowledge silos. Recommendations include establishing comprehensive databases, fostering collaboration, and strengthening Communities of Practice aligned with organisational goals. Moreover, the study emphasises that true organisational learning primarily occurs through social interactions, advocating for a shift from 'learning from repositories' to 'learning through social means.' It underscores the role of organisational culture, particularly trust, in enhancing learning and knowledge reuse, promoting personal networks, communities of practice, and blame-free cultures. Lastly, guiding principles advocate for both top-down and bottom-up approaches to foster knowledge reuse across all organisational levels. ... Read more

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative technology in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, offering significant potential for improving project efficiency, collaboration, and transparency. However, its adoption in post-Soviet countries, particularly within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), remains limited due to a range of socio-technical, organizational, and regulatory challenges. This research investigates the primary barriers faced by Building Client Organizations (BCO) in the CIS region when adopting and implementing BIM. The study also examines the role of Design-Engineering Organizations (DEO) in supporting BCO during this digital transition.
The research follows a qualitative methodology, combining semi-structured interviews with professionals from a design-engineering company and document analysis of BIM Execution Plans (BEP) and Employer's Information Requirements (EIR). Four interviews were conducted with industry experts who were involved in BIM projects in the CIS region. This data was analyzed using selective coding to identify key challenges and strategies for overcoming these barriers. Additionally, the research employed document analysis to validate the insights from interviews and to provide context for the identified challenges.
The study proposes a comprehensive change framework to address the identified challenges in BIM adoption. The framework emphasizes the need for enhanced collaboration between BCO and DEO, with a focus on standardizing processes, improving client education, and aligning expectations. It integrates change management models, such as Kotter's 8-Step Change Model and the ADKAR model, to guide organizations through the digital transformation process. This framework aims to address technical barriers, such as interoperability and data standardization, while also fostering cultural and organizational shifts needed to overcome resistance to change and low client engagement.
Despite the limitation of a small sample size and validation from one organization, the research contributes valuable insights due to the expertise of the participants and the lack of existing studies focused on BIM adoption in the CIS region. The findings provide practical recommendations for advancing BIM implementation in this context, contributing to the broader body of knowledge on BIM adoption in transitioning economies. ... Read more

This master thesis addresses the challenge of project performance in the Civil Engineering (CE) sector, emphasizing the significance of collaboration, communication, and understanding among interdisciplinary project teams. Focusing on the role of empathy in contractor-client collaborations, the study investigates the potential impact of serious gaming on enhancing the level of empathy of CE professionals.
The research uses a mixed-method pre- and post-test design, utilizing a quasi-experimental approach without a control group. The study uses the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the short version of the Empathy Quotient (EQ short) questionnaire to measure the individual self-reported level of empathy before and after participants engage in the serious game 'Fouten maken Moed.' A subscale of the IRI showed a slight decrease in the level of empathy that possibly can be explained by a growth in awareness. While quantitative analysis did not reveal a significant change in overall empathy scores, qualitative findings suggest positive influences on interpersonal dynamics, openness, and talkativeness among participants, aspects that relate to the concept of empathy.
Despite the limitations that arise from researching a difficult to operationalise main concept (empathy), a small sample size and having no control group. It can still be concluded that the intervention, including the serious game, created an environment that was conducive for participants to share personal information and vulnerabilities, fostering a sense of approachability and relatability. It seems like the game can, if facilitated well, function as a context-setter for Project Follow Up (PFU) or Project Start Up (PSU) meetings, enhancing collaboration between contractors and clients.
Although the study acknowledges the fact that results cannot be generalised, it recommends refining empathy measurement methods and enhancing training interventions' briefing and debriefing aspects. Future research should include more extensive experiments with control groups to better isolate the impact of serious gaming on empathy levels in the CE sector, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the game's potential contributions to collaboration and project performance through empathy
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This study explores the use and demand for offices in the Netherlands in 2050. Employees and employers have not found a balance in hybrid working, resulting in significant hidden vacancy. This refers to office space that is leased but not utilized, leading to ineffective office management. Real estate managers lack a guide to formulate a future-proof strategy for their real estate portfolio. Therefore, this study examines four exploratory scenarios on how work could be conducted in 2050 and its implications for office demand. This helps map external developments that may influence the demand for offices. The central research question is: "How can societal trends influence the way people work and, therefore, the demand for offices?" In this study, human scale and technology use are identified as the two key uncertainties. Along these uncertainties, four scenarios have been developed: Human Hands, Bionic Man, Manual Machines, and Technological Domination. In each of these scenarios, there is a different balance between human and technology, resulting in distinct characteristics of offices. In the Human Hands scenario, the quantitative demand for offices increases, while in the other three scenarios, this demand decreases. Nonetheless, each scenario indicates that there will still be a demand for offices in the Netherlands in 2050. ... Read more

This study aims to explore the impact of employee separation as a result of hybrid working on the organisational commitment of ORGANISATION X’s workforce. The findings of this research aim to offer valuable insights to ORGANISATION X's understanding on how the alternating remote and in-office work setup may influence the commitment levels of ORGANISATION X's employees.

The research methodology employed in the initial study of this thesis encompasses quantitative research, in addition to a comprehensive literature review. This quantitative research entails surveying the entire office-based workforce at ORGANISATION X. The results of the researches have yielded fascinating insights, offering a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between hybrid working elements and commitment to the organisation. The primary research findings demonstrate a nuanced relationship between hybrid work and organisational commitment, with only two of the nine potential relationships between hybrid work and organisational commitment found. Therefore, the 'sense of belonging' or the organisational commitment referred to in this research can be seen as being affected by hybrid work only to a small, insignificant extent.

Additionally, the study explored the influence of other variables, such as physical proximity, dependency, and socio-demographic factors, on shaping employees' commitment to the organisation. The study shows a positive relation between physical proximity, particularly arranged in-person meetings, and dependency on co-workers and organisational commitment. These are believed to influence the separation awareness among employees.
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A statistical analysis into the health benefits of nature. Dividing nature into areas with a different landscape and areas with a different biodiversity score. Indicating a different influence on the aspects of heath depending on the landscape. Showing a greater influence in areas with the landscape open agricultural, half open and closed agricultural, forest and dunes. Considering the degree of biodiversity, areas with a higher biodiversity score are shown to score better on the different aspects of health. The quality of nature influence the health of the inhabitants to such a degree that areas with a large amount of high quality nature experience health benefits while areas with a low quality of nature experience a drawback. ... Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the construction industry in the Netherlands as projects came to a stop and project teams struggled to collaborate remotely. To cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequential virtual work environment, it is crucial to have effectively collaborating design teams. A renown contributor to team success in design teams is trust. Trust contributes to project success as it aligns the interest of stakeholders, increases the willingness to share information and improves team performance. In previous research it found that prior ties, or interactions in previous working relations could result in an improved level of trust in the design team. Moreover, expectations of future collaboration, or future ties, also improve the levels of trust in teams. These ties could therefore be used to increase the levels of trust and subsequently result in more efficient team processes. In addition, as the design team members were subjected to the restrictions related to the pandemic, it is important to investigate how this virtual work environment affects trust development. This research aims to fill this research gap and utilize its results in order to enable design team members to improve the levels of trust in their teams while coping with the effects of the change to a virtual work environment. By performing the research based on a literature review and a survey analysis, it is concluded that ties are an important factor in the development of trust. By utilizing the individual aspects of these ties, design team members can improve the levels of trust. It is suggested that prior ties are more important for trust development than future ties. However, it should be mentioned that prior ties are no silver bullet. Prior experiences may induce unmet pre-existing expectations and laxity. In addition, the potential non-beneficial effects of virtual meetings on trust in the design team should be considered. To deal with these effects it is advised to organize social and face-to-face meetings as these improve interpersonal connections. The research results indicate that this knowledge is not yet common and should therefore be emphasised. Lastly, it has to be mentioned that when considering this conclusion, it is important to recognize that certain limitations are present. Especially the considerable small sample size of the survey, which resulted in many other limitations like an unequal representation in personal and organizational roles, should be considered. ... Read more

Construction projects have become more complex over time, and cost overruns and time delays have become a global phenomenon. Signs that can indicate future project failure, such as cost overruns and time delays, in early project phases are Early Warning (EW) signs. EW signs are defined as indicators for potential future problems. This research investigates mechanisms that influence the response to EW signs in construction projects. Directions for solutions to mitigate the obstructions for responding to EW signs found in this research are also provided. This research provides a new perspective compared to current literature, by conducting research from the perspective of a contractor, including the interaction with subcontractors. Previous studies focused on the client’s perspective instead.

This qualitative research uses a combination of research methods including an in-depth case study on the EW response of three constructions projects, expert interviews and an expert meeting. Data analysis in this research uses grounded theory methodology, and combines organisational behaviour theory with the topic of EW signs.

Two main mechanisms influencing the EW response were found: (1) the lack of information flow in projects seems to prevent EW signs from being identified, and (2) group culture and team interaction were found to hinder the response to EW signs in projects. A third mechanism was found as a recurring theme impacting three out of four analysed EW responses: interpretations of agreements and contracts, and trust in the work carried out by other parties seem to reduce the activity of identifying and responding to EW signs.

To mitigate the obstructions for identifying and responding to EW signs found in this research, the following directions for solutions are concluded to show potential: attention for individual characteristics in team composition, equipping the information system in projects with accessible options to store, and keep track of potential EW signs during projects, increasing the attention to EW signs during the tender phase, and creating awareness of the importance of responding to EW signs in project teams.
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As Dutch Urban Development (UDM) and Partnering research seem to somewhat disconnectedly explore each other’s fields, this thesis attempts to join both domains by gaining insights into factors that promote the emergence of partnering relations between individuals working in Dutch Urban Development Projects (UDPs). Applying a practice-based approach, data from ten semi-structured interviews was translated into case narratives that provide insights into the lived experience of Dutch UDPs which, after the understanding of this thesis, can be considered partnering projects. By analysing the case narratives, it was revealed that the construction and negotiation of partnering was predominantly led by the public managers whereas the choice of means depended on the underlying project circumstances, expected benefits and the individuals understanding of partnering. Analysing the interpersonal learning process, the individual learning processes prior to the project and learnings about the partners behaviour during the first meetings and challenging situations were determined as crucial to the emergence of partnering relations. Moreover, most formal partnering components seemed to have an overall positive but also paradoxical effects depending on the project and the individual. To overcome paradoxes, joint problem solving seemed the most commonly applied and favoured management practice during partnering. Applying sensemaking to collected case data, it is concluded that named factors and their effect differed depending on the individual’s perception. Based on a conceptual model, it is explained that factors promoted the emergence of partnering when they were perceived as in harmony to the individuals understanding of partnering. Ultimately, picking up on the suggestion of Kadefors (2004) to apply trust theory to study partnering, it is suggested that the individuals starting level of trust, the individual’s choice and ability to trust, the human preference for reciprocity as well as the individuals abilities, benevolence and integrity should be considered as factors when researching the emergence of partnering. ... Read more

This research focuses on the relation between the compact city and urban life. Literature suggests that a holistic approach to further compacting a city means also integrating urban life qualities. This is currently lacking in Western European practice due to pragmatism, decentralisation and neo-liberal plot-led development. This while both concepts are crucial for sustainable cities. Therefore an optimization of their relation is needed in order to make better choices regarding densification. The result is a research-by-design that researches three distinct themes that are related to incorporating urban life. These are urban volumes, urban network and urban quality. The Dutch densification site ‘Central Innovation District’ in the Hague is used as a case study for applying the found design principles. In order to measure and predict the character of spaces, modern modes of measuring the city are used. Most prominently are the methods of space syntax angular integration, betweenness shortest path algorithms and the spacematrix GSI/FSI density ratios. Moreover, because of its focus on the human scale, 3D modelling is a crucial part of the research. The research concludes that the compact city and urban life can be integrated with eachother by following a set of principles for volumes, slow traffic networks and urban quality. What is needed is a broader overview of what attractors and pedestrian flows will emerge in a plan area. The associated centralities can then be used to shape the volumetric properties in such a way that significant densification can be achieved while urban life values like human scale stay assured. ... Read more

Due to an aging population and the consequently rise in publicly funded cost for long-term care a major change was made in the financing structure of the health care system in The Netherlands. Since this change in 2015 care providers have closed care homes. In Delft the main institutional care provider now has partly vacant real estate. This report addresses advice to explore whether new ways of independent living for elderly will be helpful for them to independently age in place and provide a solution to existing real estate vacancies at institutional care providers. Cohousing for elderly was chosen an studied for motives and continuity. ... Read more

“Upwards along the pipes” focuses on the Tamansari subdistrict in Bandung, Indonesia, in which the Cikapundung river is a central physical element, dividing the highly dense informal settlements in two. The project tries to tackle several ecological and spatial issues occuring within the site, including a large amount of (organic) waste being disposed in the river, decreasing the healthy living conditions of the site. The current situation lacks any form of decent centralised or decentralised wastewater treatment management and/ or infrastructure. Furthermore, there is a lack of public open spaces and functions within the kampungs, while the city in the future has to face an increasing population density, putting even more pressure on the city and especially these already dense kampungs. The project contains the development of a fast and easy applicable on-site wastewater treatment system which is able to directly prevent river pollution, while incrementally developing into a permanent decentralized wastewater treatment plant with an integrated public function, utilizing the potential beneficial values of recycled organic waste, in the forms of biogas and fertilizers. These output resources make environmental care economically more beneficial and appealing for local inhabitants. The integrated communal food market provides a platform for the kampung inhabitants to optimally benefit from the gained resources, by communally growing and selling food grown due to the gained fertilizers and cooked on the produced biogas from water treatment. ... Read more

Sustainability is a much debated topic last decades and in particular the past few years . Many governments, organisations, business and people feel the urgency to act. The United Nations even states in their IPCC 2018 report that in order to keep the climate change contained, unprecedented changes to systems in terms of scale and speed are necessary. A possible change that the system can make is a change towards a circular economy. The circular economy combines business models to environmental principles like reuse, reduce recycle and recover. This report researched the extent to which the principles of the circular economy are applied by housing associations and if these applications are innovative compared to Cradle to Cradle or traditional sustainable applications.
In order to answer this question a case study was carried out. The cases were selected because of the link that was made between the project and the circular economy by the housing associations. Eight cases were studied through ten interviews. The data were analysed using an analytical framework developed in a literature study. The findings of the analyses were discussed in a focus group interview. The result of the research is that the extent of the application of circular economy by housing associations is limited. Four of the eight cases are demolition projects. The recycling and reuse that took place in these projects were no different than the demolition principles that were already common practice. In these cases there also was no circular business model used. There is just one case that applied a circular business model. In this cases however, there is a third party introduced for the execution of the lease model. According to the circular economy theory, these third parties should be avoided.
Although most cases prioritize sustainability over finance, they don’t fit the label Cradle to Cradle. The projects insufficiently focussed on design to avoid waste. Besides, the materials in the projects were not 100% upcycled.
These conclusions do not mean that housing associations do not have sustainable projects and agenda’s. They envision to increase the sustainability of their real estate portfolio. Together the housing associations have a strong market position. They can make a big contribution to sustainability through tenders, collective purchasing of sustainable products and sustainable products as a service. ... Read more

The ageing population and healthcare reform leads to a changing demand for short-term care. Health-related care and service providers offer several types of short-term care, but lack a clear vision and associated real estate strategy. Therefore, care processes are not always arranged efficiently, and real estate does not add value to the performance of the organisation. This affects the quality of care that clients receive. The aim is to gain insight in the care processes of six different types of short-term care in order to establish 1) to what extent (horizontal) integration is possible, 2) to determine the requirements for real estate, and 3) to identify possibilities for organisational change. The intention is to increase insight into the possibilities and prerequisites of optimizing short-term care through a closer alignment with the real estate strategy.
A qualitative interview study (n=16) within one health-related care and service provider was conducted with respondents holding a management position. In order to add validity, two focus group sessions (n=10) were held to discuss the findings and identify barriers and prerequisites towards integrated short-term care.
Findings show that short-term care is currently paired with long-term care although the goals and care environments differ substantially. All types of intermediate care, geriatric rehabilitation, respite care and Wlz crisis care can be integrated to some extent from the care and client perspective, along with a general practitioner, day centre and primary care treatment centre. Concentration of services on a location or within a building that is not associated with long-term care is recommended. It can result in more efficiency, higher quality and integrated care, and better expectation management. The client’s preference of care close to home needs to be taken into account as well. Certain barriers on macro, meso and micro level were identified. Respondents indicate that clear communication and creating a physical identity through real estate can solve some of the discussed barriers.
A limitation of the research is that it was conducted within the boundaries of one organisation, limiting the transferability of the data due to the specifics of the organisation and context. Furthermore, real estate recommendations are made based on short-term care processes, but financial feasibility is not considered. This requires further research.
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The building sector is responsible for more than one third of resource consumption globally. Concerning the new construction, new regulations have been set, which impose that by 2020 all new buildings constructed within the EU should reach nearly zero-energy levels. The building envelope plays a strategic role in the energy and environmental performance of the building, significantly affecting the levels of indoor comfort. The increasing necessity of sustainability in built environments is leading to the need of the adaptive façade adoption. The façade is no longer a mere static element offering just a shelter for users. The future building skin is required to respond dynamically, being able to react to non-continuous, ever-changing climatic conditions, occupant comfort and energy efficiency requirements. It is apparent that building facades need to be transformed to fulfill adapted roles of high performance integration and façade elements need to be designed to provide the necessary flexibility needed in terms of energy flow and thermal comfort.
Companies like “Rollecate”, which is a facade construction company in the Netherlands with worldwide projects have grasped this change and are interested in creating new products, which reflect the current trend of adaptivity. This graduation project started with the existing research project “Future Adaptive Facades and Components” with the question from “Rollecate” about the direction the facade industry is heading to. “Rollecate” wants to know what the future of adaptive facades is and how this is translated into a new product or a modification of an existing one that could be developed soon and be relevant for the building sector in the next five years and on.
The aim of the research project is the development of a Multi-functional Façade Module (MFM) that consists of several functionalized layers that could be separately assembled depending on the architectural design of the building and the corresponding climate. Moreover, the proposed design is modular, which gives the possibility to be altered easily throughout its lifecycle, thus being also adaptive to future technological innovations. In order to evaluate it, this facade system is tested for an office building in Amsterdam, Netherlands with the main objective of providing thermal comfort to the occupants, whilst minimizing the energy consumption.
In the framework of a decade-long research activity on Advanced Integrated Façades (AIF), MFMs show a considerable potential for building envelopes, being one of the most promising Responsive Building Elements (RBE) in terms of energy reduction potential. In addition, the results of this research project prove that MFMs are performing well, offering considerable energy savings. They are a promising facade concept for future applications, offering not only an adaptive but also a sustainable solution to the construction of office buildings. Nevertheless, there is still space for future improvement, as well as further research and development as explained at the end of this research project. ... Read more