Synergizing Sustainability: Lean Construction Impact on Green Building

Abstract

Introduction

• The construction industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and energy use.

• Two key approaches have emerged:

  • Green Building: Focuses on environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and occupant well-being.

  • Lean Construction: Originating from lean manufacturing, it emphasizes efficiency, waste reduction, and value creation.

2. Need for Integration

• Green building faces challenges such as:

  • High costs

  • Certification complexity

  • Inconsistent project delivery

• Lean principles (e.g., waste minimization, continuous improvement) can enhance green building adoption by making it more cost-effective and operationally viable.

• The synergy between these two paradigms can yield a holistic framework for sustainable construction.

???? Review Objectives & Methodology

• The review aims to explore how lean practices can support green building goals.

• A systematic literature review was conducted using databases like Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.

• From 150+ sources, around 60 key studies were selected based on:

  • Relevance

  • Practical insights

  • Methodological rigor

???? Lean Construction: Concepts and Tools

A. Core Principles

1. Value Generation – Co-creating value with stakeholders, beyond just cost.

2. Waste Reduction (Muda) – Eliminating physical, temporal, spatial, and procedural waste.

3. Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) – Ongoing enhancements through feedback, learning, and team involvement.

B. Key Tools and Techniques

• Last Planner System (LPS): Collaborative scheduling to improve workflow reliability.

• Value Stream Mapping (VSM): Visual tool to distinguish value-adding vs. wasteful activities.

• 5S System: Organizes job sites for safety and efficiency (Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, Sustain).

• Kanban Boards: Visual management of task flow to reduce bottlenecks.

• Just-in-Time (JIT): Minimizes onsite inventory by aligning delivery with need.

• Takt Time Planning: Ensures consistent work rhythm across trades.

• 5 Whys (Root Cause Analysis): Identifies root causes of problems.

• A3 Reports: One-page structured problem-solving documents.

???? Green Building: Frameworks and Metrics

A. Definition

• Green buildings aim for ecological responsibility and human health, considering the entire lifecycle—from design to demolition.

B. Three Pillars of Sustainability

1. Environmental

   • Energy & water efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable materials, renewable energy.

2. Economic

   • Lower lifecycle costs, higher property value, operational savings, financial incentives.

3. Social

   • Healthier indoor environments, community impact, equity, and occupant satisfaction.

Conclusion

This review highlights that lean construction and green building are not just compatible—they are mutually reinforcing paradigms that, when integrated, can revolutionize the construction industry. Lean provides the operational backbone that ensures green strategies are implemented efficiently, while green principles inspire long-term thinking and environmental responsibility. The synergy results in enhanced cost-effectiveness, resource efficiency, and environmental quality, delivering not only better buildings but also healthier communities and a more sustainable planet. Despite challenges such as organizational inertia, knowledge gaps, and policy limitations, the path forward is clear. By embracing lean-green integration, supported by digital technologies and proactive policies, the construction industry can transition from being a major contributor to environmental degradation to becoming a leader in sustainable transformation. The time to act is now—and the tools are already in our hands.

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Copyright © 2025 Pratiksha Bele. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.