#14 PhD Student Akinleye Iyabobola Olafunke reflecting on Summer School 2025

PhD Candidate, Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, University of Lagos Email

PROCUREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND ITS POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE TO AN INCLUSIVE URBAN FUTURE

The recently concluded Wits-TUB-UniLag Urban Lab Summer School on Inclusive Urban Futures was an enlightening experience, bringing together Academics, urban planners, policymakers and researchers to explore how cities can be designed and managed to serve all citizens equitably. As a doctoral candidate interested in the sustainable procurement of construction works, I found the discussions particularly compelling, especially when examining how procurement processes can either hinder or promote inclusivity in urban development.

As our cities grow and change, it's important that we focus on creating spaces that are welcoming, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. This way, development benefits everyone without harming our environment or communities. The construction industry is key in making this happen, as it shapes the buildings and public areas where we live and work. Construction procurement isn't just about paperwork; it can really influence who gains from urban development and how infrastructure can promote social inclusion, making our cities better for all of us.

Procurement and Urban Inclusion

Procurement is how public and private agencies get the construction services and supplies they need. This initial stage sets the foundation for the project, outlining key details like technical specs, timelines, resources, materials, and social and environmental factors. When planned carefully, procurement can really help create more inclusive cities by making sure infrastructure projects benefit everyone, especially marginalized groups and those who have often been left out.

Unfortunately, many procurement processes prioritise cost-effectiveness and technical compliance over sustainability. While these aspects are undoubtedly important, an overemphasis on them can lead to the neglect of social and environmental issues. By adopting inclusive procurement practices, we can turn construction activities into a means of promoting social justice, economic empowerment, and spatial equality.

5 Ways Sustainable Construction Procurement Practices Can Contribute to Urban Inclusion

• Promoting Workforce Diversity

Instead of depending on external contractors, construction procurement can include employing local labour, such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities from the community. Training programs can equip them with skills, ensuring they’re not left out of economic opportunities. This inclusive approach can create new job opportunities and play a crucial role in nurturing underserved communities. By embracing diversity, we invite fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, ultimately leading to better project outcomes and greater social equity that boosts the local economy.

• Supporting Diverse Suppliers

Inclusive procurement practices can help small, local, and social enterprises join the process. These policies will make it easier for smaller companies, often left out of competitive procurement, to access government contracts and corporate opportunities by breaking down major barriers. By welcoming a diverse range of participants, these policies will ensure that the benefits of urban development reach more people, spreading the wealth generated by growth more broadly beyond just the biggest players.

• Ensuring Accessibility through the use of Universal Design

Implementing procurement requirements that emphasise universal design principles, such as ramps and disabled bathrooms/parking, ensures that infrastructure is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability. By prioritising these standards from the outset, we can avoid costly modifications or redesigns later on. This proactive approach fosters the creation of public spaces and recreational areas that everyone in our community can enjoy.

• Encouraging Community Involvement and Transparency

Too often, city projects overlook the people they are intended to serve. Combining transparent procurement with community input can lead to better projects. When residents are involved in decisions about infrastructure designed for them, the outcomes will more accurately address their needs. When local authorities and organisations promote public participation, they create a platform for residents to share concerns, needs, and priorities. These efforts enhance project effectiveness and give residents a sense of ownership over outcomes.

• Fostering Environmental and Spatial Justice Sustainable procurement can be a vital tool for conserving our environment and supporting disadvantaged communities, effectively addressing spatial inequalities. By choosing low-carbon materials, such as recycled and sustainably sourced resources, and implementing energy-efficient building practices, we can work towards a more equitable urban landscape that benefits all.

Challenges to Implementing Inclusive Procurement

Inclusive procurement holds great potential, despite challenges such as deeply ingrained institutional habits, limited procurement skills, missing social data, and the conflict between cost savings and social goals. Achieving success requires motivated political backing, capacity-building initiatives, and frameworks that incorporate social and environmental factors into procurement choices. Moreover, deploying strong monitoring and evaluation tools guarantees these efforts produce positive results. Cooperation among government, civil society, and the private sector is essential for promoting more inclusive urban development that benefits all.

Conclusion

Procurement in construction is not merely a technical or financial matter; it can function as a strategic instrument capable of impacting the social fabric of urban environments. By strategically leveraging procurement policies and practices to enhance inclusivity, urban development can be transformed from simple physical reconstruction to a more constructive process that promotes equitable, accessible, and resilient cities. As urban centres worldwide confront increasingly complex challenges- including rapid urbanisation, climate change, and social inequalities- the importance of inclusive procurement in facilitating transformation becomes ever more significant.