Facility Management as a sustainability tool in international development

Abstract

This thesis questions the possibility of having FM as a sustainability tool in international development. Over the past decades, FM has been increasingly recognized and certified for its functions and roles within businesses across the world. It has been recognized in real estate generally but also in service industries. Even though FM tends to have a holistic approach in its function within a business, it seems to be missing in the international development industry.How can FM assist or provide services in the international development industry? What can it introduce? Most importantly what value addition would it provide to the growing and crucial industry of international development?Through literature review, research and case studies, this thesis laid out the necessary needed tools to incorporate FM in the international development domain and present possible strategic gains for the latter.Upon which, several publications, papers, projects, and related studies were reviewed; the purpose was to understand how projects were working, importance of such interventions and what is lacking to achieve the goals and strategies of implementing agencies. And through which, it became evident that sustainability is key for international development projects in particular in the post project sustainability phase. It was thus concluded that FM should be incorporated early in the planning stage of projects to ensure sustainability in the post project completion hence leading to further diversification in local talent and national economic gains through job creation.

This thesis questions the possibility of having FM as a sustainability tool in international development. Over the past decades, FM has been increasingly recognized and certified for its functions and roles within businesses across the world. It has been recognized in real estate generally but also in service industries. Even though FM tends to have a holistic approach in its function within a business, it seems to be missing in the international development industry.How can FM assist or provide services in the international development industry? What can it introduce? Most importantly what value addition would it provide to the growing and crucial industry of international development?Through literature review, research and case studies, this thesis laid out the necessary needed tools to incorporate FM in the international development domain and present possible strategic gains for the latter.Upon which, several publications, papers, projects, and related studies were reviewed; the purpose was to understand how projects were working, importance of such interventions and what is lacking to achieve the goals and strategies of implementing agencies. And through which, it became evident that sustainability is key for international development projects in particular in the post project sustainability phase. It was thus concluded that FM should be incorporated early in the planning stage of projects to ensure sustainability in the post project completion hence leading to further diversification in local talent and national economic gains through job creation.