ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 21

International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy

Session I - II

FEASIBILITY OF APPLICATION OF MODERN
METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION IN IRAN
Arman Hashemi1, Masa Noguchi2 & Hasim Altan3
1 Centre for Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK,
Email: [e-mail]
2 EDBI Research Group, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Australia,
Email: [e-mail]
3 SDBE, Faculty of Engineering & IT, British University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
Email: [e-mail]

Abstract
Various plans and policies have been adopted by the Iranian Government to address the
housing shortages in Iran. Some of these policies have been successful and some have failed
dramatically deteriorating the housing conditions. Technology transfer from other countries,
such as the UK, may facilitate industrialisation which has been recognised as an effective way
to address housing deficiencies in Iran. The Iranian and UK construction industries, however,
differ in various respects which may increase the risk of failure if transferred technologies are
not adapted to Iranian needs and conditions. This paper compares the current conditions of
the Iranian and UK construction industries to identify the risks and opportunities if Modern
Methods of Construction (MMC) were to be transferred from the UK to Iran. Several issues
such as demand and supply, regulations and standards, practicality, costs, design, sustainability, and governmental policies have been studied in detail. The results reveal that MMC could
potentially improve the housing conditions in Iran by addressing major issues such as skilled
labour shortages, energy and materials wastes, building quality and speed of construction.
The major risks are also identified as volatile economy and housing market, transportation
and industry capacity. The chance of successful adoption is considerably higher for those
MMC that are suitable for small projects, do not require highly skilled labour and heavy machinery, and are compatible with prevailing methods of construction in Iran.

Keywords

Modern Methods of Construction, MMC, Construction Technology, Housing,
Technology Transfer, Iran, UK.

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