Performance assessment for sustainable construction: lest we forget about the client

Sustainability of the built environment is receiving much attention in recent times, mainly because the concept is inextricably linked with several key global issues e.g. economic, environmental, housing etc. An important aspect of these has to do with the assessment of the performance of the industry's quest for sustainability. This calls for a consideration of a well laid out approach of performance assessment. This should satisfy the multidimensional, multi-criteria concept. Hence, the need to identify the key measures, criteria, and the stakeholders becomes necessary. The authors believe that it should be addressed at the local (national) levels first, then, regional, continental, and finally at the global level. In addition, it is submitted that the client as the promoter of construction should be an active partner in ensuring sustainability. This, it is estimated, will be the necessary step towards managing sustainable construction at all levels.