Digital Construction as a Catalyst for Sustainable Transformation: Addressing COVID-19 Challenges

Majeed Safa¹, Nomita Sharma², Mahdi Safa³

1. Lincoln University
2. University of Delhi
3. University of Houston

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 1721 to 1729. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_164.

Abstract

This study examines how digital construction can tackle challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with sustainability. The pandemic has severely impacted the construction industry, leading to labour shortages and business disruptions. While returning to pre-pandemic norms will take time, digitalization offers a pathway for both disruption and growth. Remote work has become crucial, and digital solutions are essential for managing the pandemic’s negative effects, ensuring work continuity, and adopting sustainable practices.A systematic review of existing literature underscores the role of digital transformation in mitigating COVID-19 impacts on the construction sector. The findings indicate that digitalization can effectively overcome industry challenges. Furthermore, integrating sustainability principles into digital construction is crucial. By leveraging digital technologies, construction processes can be optimized, waste reduced, energy efficiency improved, and resource management enhanced. Aligning digitalization with sustainability can strengthen the industry’s long-term resilience and environmental impact.In conclusion, the study illustrates that digital construction can address pandemic challenges. Through embracing digital transformation and sustainability, the construction sector can navigate these difficult times and secure a more sustainable future.

Keywords

Session

Published in the proceedings.

How to Cite

Safa, M., Sharma, N., & Safa, M. (2025). Digital Construction as a Catalyst for Sustainable Transformation: Addressing COVID-19 Challenges. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 1721–1729). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_164

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.