Modeling investment policies in Egyptian construction sector using system dynamics / Karim Mohamed Fattouh Shebl ; Supervised Mohamed Mahdy Marzouk

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Civil Engineering

Construction stakeholders aim at limiting the impact of the construction sector on the natural environment to assure sustainability. Construction in Egypt is a strong indicator of the country's economic strength. The construction industry forms a significant portion of the Egyptian GDP and employs millions of labor force, and consumes most of the country's energy and its primary resources. To remain vital, the construction industry is demanding better, safer, energy-efficient and more affordable construction materials and technology. Egypt faces dual pressure of maintaining economic growth and largely reducing carbon emissions. This study aims at exploring the effect of finance-growth-energy nexus on carbon emissions for Egypt over the 1990-2050 period. By employing the system dynamics approach, the study tries to capture the impact of financial development over energy consumption through economic growth and link them with the carbon emissions of Egypt in a simulation model using vensim® PLE software. The proposed model provides the policy makers with a simulating tool supporting their decisions. The findings reveal that both construction technology, represented in construction materials and construction machinery, and labor education are main keys of true sustainable development. Several policies are examined to study system behavior

Issued also as CD