Evaluating the Role of Project Constraints in Shaping Sustainable Construction Practices in South Africa: Insights from ECSA

Sustainable construction has become a strategic imperative within South Africa’s built environment as the country confronts climate change, infrastructure deterioration, and increasing pressure on natural resources. Despite strong policy commitments and professional regulatory frameworks promoting sustainability, implementation across construction projects remains uneven. This article evaluates how project constraints shape the adoption of sustainable construction practices in South Africa, drawing insights from the regulatory and professional framework of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Using a qualitative, document-based approach, the study analyses ECSA competency standards, accreditation criteria, professional conduct guidelines, and national sustainability policies, alongside existing construction industry literature. The findings reveal that financial limitations, skills shortages, regulatory fragmentation, time pressures, and weak project governance significantly undermine sustainability integration at project level. While ECSA has embedded sustainability within professional standards and education requirements, project realities often override regulatory intentions. The article proposes a multi-level framework to strengthen sustainability uptake through improved regulatory alignment, enhanced engineering capacity development, stronger project governance mechanisms, and targeted incentives for sustainable alternatives. The study contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable construction governance by highlighting the critical role of project constraints in mediating the relationship between professional regulation and practical implementation in the South African context.