Previous Symposiums
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF WCS

The Tenth World Construction Symposium (WCS-2022)

The 10th World Construction Symposium 2022 (WCS 2022) on “Sustainability and resilience in the built environment: Changed perspectives” was successfully held virtually from 24-26 June 2022. This year’s symposium marks the 10 th milestone of this symposium series, which has been held annually since 2012. Throughout the past decade, we are happy to see WCS grow in success and gaining recognition from academics and industry participants from around the world. This year’s event is held amidst numerous hardships that Sri Lanka is facing due to the current political and economic crisis. The crisis meant that this was the second year in a row that we are holding this symposium as a mainly digital event. The symposium was jointly organised by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU), Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa in partnership with Western Sydney University, Australia; The University of Newcastle, Australia; Colombo School of Construction Technology (CSCT), Sri Lanka; and Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM): Journal, published by Emerald Group Publishing. Full papers of WCS 2022 are indexed in Scopus.

The following awards were presented at the symposium.

BEPAM Journal Best Paper Award:
Establishing the role of BIM towards mitigating critical project risks assessed using a fuzzy inference system by Sulakshya Gaur and Abhay Tawalare

BEPAM Journal Highly Commended Paper Awards:
A review of drivers of sustainability in mega infrastructure projects: An institutional approach by Nicola Thounaojam, Ganesh Devkar and Boeing Laishram Economic performance of green walls: A systematic review by U.G.D. Madushika, T. Ramachandra and D. Geekiyanage

CIOB Best Paper Award: 
The effect of orientation and plant type on the thermal behaviour of living wall systems in buildings by H. Merve Yanardag Erdener and Ecem Edis

CIOB Highly Commended Paper Award:
Developing a decision-making model for selecting smart retrofits by G.H.T.D. Jayarathne and Nayanthara De Silva

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The Ninth World Construction Symposium (WCS-2021)

The 9th World Construction Symposium 2021 (WCS 2021) on “‘Reshaping construction: Strategic, Structural & Cultural Transformations towards the Next Normal” was successfully held from 09 – 10 July 2021. Due to the prevailing pandemic situation, the symposium was held in a hybrid format with virtual paper presentations and minimal onsite participants for inauguration and sum-up events. The symposium was jointly organised by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU), Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom; Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID); The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Western Sydney University, Australia; The University of Newcastle, Australia; Colombo School of Construction Technology (CSCT), Sri Lanka; and Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM): Journal, published by Emerald Group Publishing.

Full papers of WCS 2021 are indexed in Scopus.

The following awards were presented at the symposium.

BEPAM Journal Best Paper Award:
Comparison of skills between Sri Lankan and foreign construction labour by Kesavan Manoharan, Pujitha Dissanayake, Chintha Pathirana, Dharsana Deegahawature and Renuka Silva

BEPAM Journal Highly Commended Paper Awards:
Dynamic supply chain capability analysis of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge construction: A topic modeling approach by E.M.A.C Ekanayake, Geoffrey Qiping Shen, Mohan M. Kumaraswamy and Jin Xue

Development of a framework for flood mitigation in Fiji by Mingyuan Guo, Argaw Gurmu and Linda Tivendale

CIOB Best Paper Award:
A new safety climate assessment tool for Gulf construction by Tariq Umar and Nnedinma Umeokafor

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The Eight World Construction Symposium (WCS-2019)

The 8th World Construction Symposium 2019 on “Towards a Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment” was successfully held from 08 – 10 November 2019 at Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU) of the Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa jointly organised the Symposium. The symposium was held in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom; Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), India; Western Sydney University, Australia; Colombo School of Construction Technology (CSCT), Sri Lanka; and Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM): Journal, published by Emerald Group Publishing. The symposium proceedings have been accepted for inclusion in Scopus in 2019.
Following awards were presented to the authors and the presenters during the awards night.

BEPAM Journal Best Paper Award:
‘Lean Enabling Human Capacity Building of Small and Medium Contractors in Sri Lanka’ by K.A.T.O. Ranadewa and Y.G. Sandanayake and M.L. Siriwardena

BEPAM Journal Highly Commended Paper Awards:
‘Mapping and Improving Sustainable Construction Management through Social Network Analysis: A Review’ by Nandun Madhusanka, Wei Pan and Mohan Kumaraswamy

‘Energy Retrofits to Enhance Energy Performance of Existing Buildings: A Review’ by M.F.F. Fasna and Sachie Gunatilake

CIOB Best Paper Award:
‘Beyond Barriers: Exploring the Considerations Hindering the Adoption of Green Construction from a Behavioural Economics Perspective’ by Samuel Fiifi Hammond, Thayaparan Gajendran, Kim Maund and David A. Savage

CIOB Best Presenter Award:
K.G. Dewagoda for the presentation of the paper titled ‘A Conceptual Knowledge Value Chain Model for Construction Organisations Engaged in Competitive Tendering’

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The Seventh World Construction Symposium (WCS-2018)

The 7th World Construction Symposium 2018 on “Built Asset Sustainability: Rethinking Design, Construction and Operations” was successfully held from 29th June and 01st July 2018 at Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU) of the Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa jointly organised the 7th World Construction Symposium with the associate partners, namely; Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Western Sydney University, Australia, East Carolina University, United States of America, Colombo School of Construction Technology (CSCT) and CIB-W122: Public Private Partnership. Further, the following awards were arranged by Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM), a journal published by Emerald Group Publishing:

  • BEPAM Best Paper award – with a certificate and a prize of 12 months online subscription for the author(s)
  • Two (02) BEPAM Highly Commended Paper awards – with a certificate for the author(s) of each Highly Commended Paper

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The Sixth World Construction Symposium (WCS-2017)

The 6th World Construction Symposium 2017 on “What’s New and What’s Next in the Built- Environment Sustainability Agenda?” was held from 30th June- 02nd July 2017 at Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The symposium was jointly organised by the Building Economics Management and Research Unit (BEMRU) of the Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa and the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB). Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), The University of Hong Kong, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Northumbria University, UK, Robert Gordon University, UK, Western Sydney University, Australia, CIB-W122: Public Private Partnerships and Colombo School of Construction Technology, Sri Lanka (CSCT) were the Associate Partners of the Symposium. Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM), a journal published by Emerald Group Publishing, arranged for two awards, namely; the BEPAM Best Paper award and BEPAM Highly Commended Paper award.

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The Fifth World Construction Symposium (WCS-2016)

The 5th World Construction Symposium 2016 on “Greening Environment, Eco-Innovations & Entrepreneurship” was held from 29th to 31st July 2016 at Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The symposium was jointly organised by the Building Economics Management and Research Unit (BEMRU) of the Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa and the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB). The symposium was sponsored by International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), The University of Hong Kong, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, Northumbria University, United Kingdom, Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom and Colombo School of Construction Technology, Sri Lanka were the Associate Partners of the Symposium. Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM), a journal published by Emerald Group Publishing, arranged for two awards, namely; the BEPAM Best Paper award and BEPAM Highly Commended Paper award.
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The Fourth World Construction Symposium (WCS-2015)

The 4th World Construction Symposium 2015 on “Sustainable Development in the Built Environment: Green Growth and Innovative Directions” was held from 12th to 14th June 2015 at Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The symposium was jointly organised by the Building Economics Management and Research Unit (BEMRU) of the Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa and the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB). The symposium was sponsored by International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom; Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), The University of Hong Kong; Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras); CIB-TG 72 (Public Private Partnership); CIB- W092 (Procurement Systems) and Colombo School of Construction Technology were the Associate Partners of the Symposium. Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM), a journal published by Emerald Group Publishing, arranged for two awards, namely; the BEPAM Best Paper award and BEPAM Highly Commended Paper award.

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The Third World Construction Symposium (WCS-2014)

The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU), Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka are jointly organizing the Third World Construction Symposium on 20 – 22 June 2014. The symposium was sponsored by International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB).Glasgow Caledonian University, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom and Centre for Infrastructure & Construction Industry Development, The University of Hong Kong are the Associate Partners of the Symposium. The main theme of the symposium was “Sustainability and development in built environment: the way forward”. Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM), a journal published by Emerald Group Publishing, arranged for two awards, namely; the BEPAM Best Paper award and BEPAM Highly Commended Paper award.

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The Second World Construction Symposium (WCS-2013)

The Ceylon Institute of Builders, International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB-SB13) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit, University of Moratuwa jointly organised The Second World Construction Symposium, from 14 – 15 June 2013 at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theme of the symposium was “Socio Economic Sustainability in Construction”.

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The First World Construction Symposium (WCS-2012)

The Ceylon Institute of Builders, International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB-W107) and Building Economics and Management Research Unit, University of Moratuwa jointly organised The First World Construction Symposium, from 28 – 30 June 2012 at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theme of the symposium was “Global Challenges in Construction Industry”.

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