Construction in Barbados: keeping natural hazards in mind?
Abstract
Purpose
Employing a case study of Barbados, the purpose of this paper is to highlight key stakeholders involved in the construction sector, discusses the roles of construction stakeholders in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the key stages of the construction process where proactive DRR inputs could be made, The following objectives are addressed: to describe the main natural hazards in Barbados; to reveal key stakeholders involved in the decision making during the design, construction and operation process (DCOP) and DRR process; to discuss the roles of construction stakeholders in DRR and the key stages of the DCOP where proactive DRR inputs could be made; to emphasise the main barriers to the implementation of DRR in the Barbados’ construction sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study methodology, that includes semi-structured interviews with construction stakeholders in Barbados, a critical review of relevant literature and media coverage of natural hazards, and construction site visits.
Findings
The key construction stakeholders that should be responsible for DRR integration in construction process are identified. The main barriers to the implementation of DRR in the Barbados’ construction sector are also discussed; these include the absence of an enforced building code and complacency towards natural hazards from the general population as well as construction stakeholders.
Originality/value
Whilst some attempts have been made in mainstreaming DRR into construction projects in Barbados, many of the measures are not effectively implemented due to various constraints. In addition, little research has been done on the state of the construction sector and its use of DRR in the Caribbean. This paper aims to fill this research gap.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank all the interview participants for their very helpful inputs and the reviewers for the constructive and useful comments. The authors are also grateful to Dr Thomas Rogers and Ms Destine Gay for their help in identifying useful contacts.
Citation
Chmutina, K. and Bosher, L. (2014), "Construction in Barbados: keeping natural hazards in mind?", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 175-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-07-2013-0111
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited