African Journal of Estate and Property Management

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 2756-3308 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-008, June, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating web marketing of luxury lodges in South Africa

Corne Meintjes¹, Ilse Niemann-Struweg¹* and Danie Petzer²

¹School of Business and Economics, Monash, South Africa.

²Department of Marketing Management, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Accepted 15 January, 2021

Abstract

The information-intensive nature of the tourism industry suggests that the Internet is important in marketing tourism destinations. This article evaluates the marketing related aspects of luxury lodge websites in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Through systematic sampling, 20 luxury lodge websites were selected from a population of 40 rated as four and five star lodges by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. The research design is a concurrent mixed method approach where quantitative and qualitative data are collected concurrently with qualitative data leading the analysis and reporting. Websites were evaluated against criteria developed through a content analysis of existing website evaluation models. The study finds that the websites are generally of a high standard and appealing, but lack originality and uniqueness. The study highlights issues pertaining to the current web marketing approaches of luxury lodges that cater for up-market international tourism, but employs marketing approaches for a local market.

Key words: Websites, luxury lodges, evaluation criteria, marketing.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 2756-3308 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-015, May, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Exploring role of different floor, wall and roof details in energy efficiency of a bungalow house in Malaysia

Saber Sabouri¹*, M. F. M. Zain² and M. Jamil²

¹Faculty of Architecture, Seraj Higher Educational Institute, Ark Alley, Shariati Cross, Tabriz, Iran.

²Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia.

Accepted 08 November, 2020

Abstract

Energy has undeniable role in sustainable architecture. Building sections consume 15 to 60% of whole energy in different countries. Residential sector includes 19% of energy consumption in Malaysia. In this study, a bungalow house as a common low density house in Malaysia was simulated by Design Builder software based on Energy plus program. Then its different components including floor, wall, roof and their influence were explored by simulations of various alternatives. Results showed that naturally ventilated raised floor in first floor with 19 mm wooden material could save 9.4% of cooling electricity. Changing wall detail of first floor (naturally ventilated floor at night time) from heavyweight to lightweight could save 16% of cooling energy and replacing white painted steel instead of concrete tile could decrease 5.8% more cooling energy. Composition of these components in proposed house presented 28.3% cooling energy saving.

Key words: Cooling energy, floor, wall, roof, bungalow house.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 2756-3308 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-013, April, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Managing construction logistics management: Findings from construction contractors and industrialized building system (IBS) manufacturers

Mohammed Ali Berawi^1*, Abdur Rohim Boy Berawi² and Katerina A. Hadwart³

¹Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia.

²Transport Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Portugal Program, University of Porto, Portugal.

³Faculty of Built Environment, Centre of Project and Facility Management, University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Accepted 11 October, 2020

Abstract

Inability of contractors to foresee materials demand at the right time and material-handling at the right place are identified as one of the most common problems in the construction industry. Therefore, this paper attempts to determine the attitude and pattern of the industrialized building system (IBS) manufacturers and contractors towards logistics management system followed by evaluation of logistics management effectiveness. This research is carried out by way of questionnaire and followed by an in-depth interview with IBS manufacturers and contractors. From the findings of this research, it is revealed that the respondents agree that logistics management is important for production efficiency. Price, quality, and capacity of suppliers are three (3) critical factors that should be considered when purchasing materials. However, contractors tend to be more concerned with profit margin, while the IBS manufacturers are concerned with productivity when they make decision for material-handling equipments. Additionally, there are other problems identified in logistics management, including non-punctuality in materials and components deliveries, inability to foresee the period of activities with accuracy, etc. Majority of the respondents agreed that flow chart is one tool that can improve production efficiency in order to solve the problems in logistics management.

Key words: Construction, logistics management, supply chain, industrialized building system (IBS), manufacturers, contractors.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 2756-3308 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-016, March, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Review 

Clean energies for sustainable development for built environment

Abdeen Mustafa Omer

Energy Research Institute (ERI), Forest Road West, Nottingham NG7 4EU, UK. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 08 December, 2020

Abstract

The move towards a de-carbonised world, driven partly by climate science and partly by the business opportunities it offers, will need the promotion of environmentally friendly alternatives, if an acceptable stabilisation level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is to be achieved. This requires the harnessing and use of natural resources that produce no air pollution or greenhouse gases and provides comfortable coexistence of human, livestock, and plants. This article presents a comprehensive review of energy sources, and the development of sustainable technologies to explore these energy sources. It also includes potential renewable energy technologies, efficient energy systems, energy savings techniques and other mitigation measures necessary to reduce climate changes. The article concludes with the technical status of the ground source heat pumps (GSHP) technologies.

Key words: Climate, energy, natural resources, carbon dioxide, technologies.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 2756-3308 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of industrial and adaptable building components for a residential layout

Nasibeh Sadafi*, M. F. M. Zain and M. Jamil

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

Accepted 16 November, 2020

Abstract

From environmental point of view, building waste is a critical issue in present construction. In order to reduce the depletion of valuable materials and natural resources, waste management of constructions needs to be considered in the early stages of design. This requires innovative design strategies that take into account the future demolition and provide flexible and versatile structures. Industrial, flexible and demountable building system (IFD) is trying to create buildings with higher quality, more adaptable and better environmental characteristics. But till date, a recognized method for IFD building assessment has not been defined. This research focuses on IFD component analysis process for a residential terrace house layout. In the first step of the research, a conceptual prototype for the key elements was proposed. Next step was to create a procedure for evaluating the suggested design. The evaluation process contains two parts. First, the layout and design characteristics assessment according to IFD criteria was developed. Second, the stability, seismic and load bearing capacity of the designed structure was characterized by conventional nonlinear static analysis (pushover) through finite element computations with ETABS software. It is proposed that, application of these assessments can testify to the flexibility and strength of the designed layout.

Key words: Industrial, flexible and demountable building system (IFD), building components, modular coordination system, terrace house layout.