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The increase in waste and carbon emissions from the construction industry continues to fester although sustainable design approaches such as designing for adaptability (DfA) have been approved as a viable option to minimize construction waste and greenhouse gases while providing cost savings on building projects. This paper examines the views of design professionals on the challenges to implementing DfA in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI).

A critical comparative review of the related literature was conducted on the international challenges to implementing adaptability. After the review, 16 challenges were identified and used as the basis of the questionnaire survey in the Ghanaian context. By using a quantitative approach, a close-ended structured questionnaire was used to seek the views of 236 design professionals operating in the GCI regarding these factors. Data retrieved were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The findings revealed the key challenges to implementing DfA among design professionals in Ghana to include “limited funding for adaptable buildings”, “lack of collaboration between design professionals, contractors and clients towards the realization of adaptable buildings”, “limited demand for adaptable buildings” and “lack of education and training programs on design for adaptability practices”.

The novelty or originality of this study lies in its focus on the GCI, an area where the concept of DfA has rarely been examined in practice despite its recognized potential benefits in reducing waste and emissions. The study offers a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by design professionals in Ghana. This level of detail is crucial for devising targeted strategies to promote DfA in the region.

The increasing concern for waste reduction in the global construction industry has led to diverse sustainable approaches emerging globally in the past decade. Material passport (MP), a growing approach, has been seen to be very promising. This study examines the implementation of materials passports in the Ghanaian construction industry.

The study adopted the quantitative research method. Having reviewed literature related to this study, questionnaires served as a means of soliciting the views of 77 professionals in the built environment in the Ghanaian construction industry on the theme under investigation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyze the data retrieved.

Findings from the study revealed that Ghanaian construction professionals possessed a low level of awareness of the concept of MPs. However, they showed a massive willingness to adopt MPs in their professional practice. The findings further revealed that the professionals believed challenges such as the lack of knowledge, complexities of MP in terms of its preparation, and lack of quality assurance for recovered products hinder the adoption of MPs. The findings also revealed that strategies such as adequate training and education, policies and regulations, and adequate stakeholder engagement could aid in the implementation of MPs in the Ghanaian construction industry.

For the concept of MPs to gain a firm foundation globally, its perception and implementation must be explored thoroughly. This empirical study, being the first to investigate MP implementation in Ghana, has provided insights into the topic from the perspective of professionals operating in the Ghanaian construction industry. The paper reveals information on the practice of MPs from the context of a typical developing country.