Factors Affecting Fast-track Construction Industry in Egypt: Case Study of Administrative Buildings in New Administrative Capital

Abstract

Introduction: Egypt has witnessed a remarkable growth in the construction industry in the last decade. This aligns with the government’s vision to fulfill the increasing need of housing, retail, administrative, educational, hospitality, and governmental projects. Fast-track construction methods promote this vision through a reduced timeline and a faster project delivery. However, many factors negatively impact the efficiency of the fast-track construction industry in Egypt. Various initiatives have investigated factors affecting fast-track construction industry worldwide. Each of the developed studies focused on some factors and neglected others. The fragmented outcome of these studies needs to be consolidated towards a comprehensive articulation of these factors. On the local level, the effect of these factors on the Egyptian construction industry is not thoroughly explored yet.

Objectives: This paper explores the developed literature tackling the factors affecting fast-track construction industry around the world. The aim of this literature review is to propose a comprehensive framework of these factors. The proposed framework attempts to consolidate the existing fragmented trials of analysis. It also organizes the different factors in form of seven main categories.

Methods: Five selected case studies of the Egyptian construction industry have been analyzed in terms of the proposed framework. Open-ended interviews have been designed and held with key stakeholders of the selected case studies. The aim of the interviews is to define the level of influence of each factor on fast-track construction on the local level.

Results: The results highlight the association of the major factors affecting time and cost overrun with economic, stakeholders-related (specially project manager), governmental and political, contractual and legal factors. The concluded factors urge the need for a wise consideration on the local context of Egypt to improve project delivery of fast-track construction.

Conclusions: The case studies analysis helped in defining the most influential factors that should be avoided for mitigating the associated risks and a better shaping of the Egyptian construction industry. In addition, it sets the base for developing a more comprehensive framework to manage cost overrun in fast track administrative buildings construction in Egypt in the second phase of the research.