This project is an output from the research initiative Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL), a programme jointly funded by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO). The data collection for the study is facilitated and supported by Development Research Initiative (DRI) and the Digitizing Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement Project (DIMAPPP) programme of BIGD. It assesses the slow implementation of the country’s policy to shift from traditional fired clay bricks to more environmentally friendly blocks, despite the potential ecological benefits of the latter.
Researchers: Syeda Salina Aziz; Anindya Barai; Rohini Kamal; Munshi Sulaiman
Partners: Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); Development Research Initiative (DRI)
Timeline: April 2022–September 2022
Status: Completed
Contact: Dr Munshi Sulaiman; munshi.sulaiman@bracu.ac.bd
Context
The Government of Bangladesh intends to transition from fired clay bricks (FCB) to more environmentally friendly building materials like hollow concrete blocks (HCB) and interlocked soil stabilized blocks (ISSB) in public constructions by 2024-25 to combat climate change and environmental degradation. This study explores the implementation status of this policy and identifies bottlenecks, recognizing the need for coordination between government bodies and the private sector in this shift.
Objectives
The study aims to comprehend the status of policy implementation, assess the hurdles encountered by both the government and private sector, and potentially contribute to the policy’s successful execution. Additionally, the study seeks to contextualize its findings within the framework of political economy and public policy and align with the industrial production theme of the PEDL call by addressing the environmental impact of FCB and the dynamics of policy interaction with the private sector for achieving sustainable results.
Methodology
This research employed a mixed-method approach, combining key informant interviews (KIIs), cross-sectional surveys of contractors, and analysis of secondary data from tender notices. Data collection occurred across 16 districts, with additional district-level KIIs in four districts. The primary survey involved 480 contractors with recent government contract bids where they assessed their awareness of the policy promoting block usage in public construction, opinions on block vs. brick costs and quality, and perceived adoption barriers.
Findings and Recommendations
Key findings of the study highlight a lack of awareness about the policy and its advantages among contractors, slow progress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, and challenges related to availability, knowledge, and perceived costs of blocks. The study recommends operationalizing a monitoring system for policy progress, incentivizing block production, improving technical knowledge among contractors, and enhancing the visibility of the policy. Short-term strategies involve specifying blocks used in tender documents, raising awareness among procurement officials and contractors, and conducting demonstration visits to address misconceptions. In the long term, adjusting vocational training programmes to encompass block-related skills can bolster sustainable construction practices.
