ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the readers to the book by first stating the importance of the construction industry to the development of nations and then acknowledges that the performance of the industry is continually hampered by many challenges that seem as yet unsolved. It goes on to justify the need to consider sustainability as a more important project success criterion above the conventional iron triangle success criteria of cost, time and quality performance. Thereafter, the chapter notes that Africa is yet to adopt sustainability effectively as a criterion for project success owing to the many challenges it is currently facing. It states how African countries can be assisted to overcome the problems associated with sustainability adoption. Furthermore, the chapter discusses and contextualizes some subjects that are fundamental to the book. These include project design, project construction, design documents, construction documents and contract documents. The aim of the book is to assist African countries to overcome the current challenges regarding the practice of sustainable design and construction. Other objectives of the book as they relate to the developed and developing countries are also discussed. Finally, the value of the book to construction practitioners, policy makers, government institutions and parastatals, researchers, teachers of sustainability and students is considered.
