In the heart of Zimbabwe’s construction boom, a pressing concern looms large: safety. As the industry rebounds from years of economic turmoil, the rapid pace of growth has outstripped the implementation of adequate safety measures, leading to a troubling rise in injuries and fatalities. Enter Rangarirai Muvungani, a researcher from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, who has turned his attention to a powerful tool that could potentially transform safety management in Zimbabwe’s construction sector: Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
GIS technology has revolutionized safety management in construction industries worldwide, enabling professionals to visualize and analyze spatial data to identify and mitigate risks. However, its adoption in Zimbabwe has been limited, and the specific barriers hindering its implementation have remained underexplored—until now. Muvungani’s recent study, published in *Acta Structilia* (which translates to *Structural Journal*), sheds light on the key obstacles preventing GIS from becoming a mainstream safety tool in Zimbabwe’s construction industry.
Through a mixed-methods approach, Muvungani combined quantitative data from a web-based survey of 86 construction professionals—including project managers, engineers, architects, and safety officers—with qualitative insights from 12 in-depth interviews. The results revealed four major barrier components: industry fragmentation and resource constraints; standardization, legal, and user preference issues; management-related challenges; and technological complexity and security concerns.
“Industry fragmentation and resource constraints are significant hurdles,” Muvungani explains. “Many construction firms in Zimbabwe are small to medium-sized enterprises with limited resources, making it difficult for them to invest in advanced technologies like GIS.”
The study also highlighted the need for supportive legal frameworks and infrastructure development to promote GIS adoption. Muvungani suggests that government intervention, through financial incentives and awareness campaigns, could play a crucial role in encouraging professionals to embrace this technology.
The implications of Muvungani’s research extend beyond Zimbabwe, offering valuable insights for other developing countries grappling with similar challenges. As the construction industry continues to grow, the need for effective safety management tools becomes increasingly apparent. GIS technology, with its ability to provide real-time data and enhance decision-making, could be a game-changer.
“By addressing these barriers, we can unlock the potential of GIS to improve safety management in the construction industry,” Muvungani says. “This could not only save lives but also enhance the industry’s overall productivity and profitability.”
As the construction sector in Zimbabwe and other developing nations continues to evolve, the adoption of advanced technologies like GIS will be crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers. Muvungani’s research serves as a vital stepping stone in this journey, paving the way for a safer and more efficient construction industry.