Irene Lill | Tallinn University of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Irene Lill

Springer proceedings in business and economics, 2023

JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

With the recent technological advancement in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC... more With the recent technological advancement in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, building control authorities in a number of countries are trying to integrate BIM into their building permit processes. Nevertheless, considering the involvement of multiple stakeholders and contexts, adopting BIM in any organization is challenging. The aim of this research is to assess readiness for BIM-based building permit processes using Fuzzy-COPRAS, a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) method. In this research, three municipalities were selected as alternatives and twenty-five criteria (categorized into technology, people, process, and policies) related to BIM-based building permit processes were identified from a literature review. Then, as part of the COPRAS method, the weights of the criteria were determined based on their importance level through expert evaluation. The results of the study revealed the most important criteria for BIM-based building permit proc...

Proceedings of the 2019 European Conference on Computing in Construction

This research examines how personal time management relates to successful course completion or dr... more This research examines how personal time management relates to successful course completion or dropping-out from a high intensity building information modelling (BIM) e-learning course. The course has been developed during 2017-2018 and uses peer instruction to engage students with the intention of improving their performance. Students' activity data were captured and analysed according to their study groups and suggested study module completion dates. The findings suggest that distance learners had a higher drop-out rate than study program students and that lagging the suggested study module completion dates did not necessarily lead to dropping-out. This paper represents a first step in ongoing research to understand the effectiveness of peer instruction in high intensity BIM courses.

Buildings, 2022

Digitalization of the AEC-FM industry has resulted in the reassessment of knowledge, knowledge ma... more Digitalization of the AEC-FM industry has resulted in the reassessment of knowledge, knowledge management, teaching and learning, workflows and networks, roles, and relevance. Consequently, new approaches to teaching and learning to meet the demands of new jobs and abilities, new channels of communication, and a new awareness are required. Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers opportunities to address some of the current challenges through BIM-enabled education and training. This research defines the requisite characteristics of a BIM-enabled Learning Environment (BLE)—a web-based platform that facilitates BIM-enabled education and training—in order to develop a prototype version of the BLE. Using a mixed-methods research design and an Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) perspective for interpreting the findings, 33 features and 5 distinct intentions behind those features were identified. These findings are valuable in taking forward the development of the BLE as they suggest ...

Construction technology and on-site construction activities have a direct influence on the life c... more Construction technology and on-site construction activities have a direct influence on the life cycle costs of energy efficiently renovated apartment buildings. The systematic inadequacies of the External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) which occur during the construction phase increase the risk for all stakeholders, reduce mechanical durability and increase the life cycle costs of the building. The economic effect of these shortcomings can be minimised if the risk of the most significant on-site activities is recognised. The objective of the presented ETICS economic assessment concept is to evaluate the economic influence of on-site shortcomings and reveal their significance to the foreseeable future repair costs. The model assembles repair techniques, discusses their direct cost calculation methods, argues over the proper usage of net present value over the life cycle of the building, and proposes a simulation tool to evaluate the risk of on-site activities. As the tec...

Buildings, 2022

Public organizations responsible for building permits are increasingly considering the potential ... more Public organizations responsible for building permits are increasingly considering the potential applications of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in their workflows, but BIM adoption still remains a complex challenge. This research aims to investigate the factors affecting BIM adoption for building permits through a case study of a public organization currently developing and piloting a BIM-based building permit process. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interview data revealed ten factors that influence BIM adoption for building permits: complexity (in both development and use) of a BIM-based building permit system; relative advantages/disadvantages of BIM for building permits; the existing building permit system; management support for a BIM-based building permit process; organizational culture; BIM awareness; training and learning; available expertise for a BIM-based building permit process; external pressure; and legal context. The findings are important for public auth...

The aim of this paper is to compare housing markets of selected European countries: the Baltic St... more The aim of this paper is to compare housing markets of selected European countries: the Baltic States, Spain and industrialized European countries with special reference to Estonia. The ranking of selected countries is based on concerns about the excessive home ownership which evidently is not consistent with economic development and acts as a barrier to increasing the quality and volume of the housing stock. An integrated analysis of housing market sustainability was performed using Multiple Criteria Decision Making Method (MCDM). A Decision Support System for Housing Sustainability Assessment (DSS-HS) was developed. The analysis of the ranking and assessment results allows recommendations to be made for improving the indicators in order to increase housing market sustainability. The case study presents an example of practical application to three Estonian counties. Key-Words: COPRAS method, home ownership, MCDM, sustainability of housing market.

Digitalization is driving changes in the architecture, engineering, construction and real estate ... more Digitalization is driving changes in the architecture, engineering, construction and real estate (AEC+ RE) industry and a central feature of this digital transformation is Building Information Modelling (BIM) which refers to the integrated digital representation of all building-related information. A BIM-enabled Learning Environment (BLE) aimed at creating an experiential learning space and offering opportunities for immersive and integrated learning on the basis of real project data has been conceptualised in earlier research. This research addresses the need to design educational interventions using the BLE. On the basis of document analysis and lecturer observation, the current and proposed approaches to teaching project risk management are described and compared in terms of their activities, learning objectives, feedback and assessment strategies and contextual factors. The new approach is intended to leverage BIM in order to engage students in a learning activity that closely corresponds to industry project reality and ways of working. It also presents challenges in terms of ensuring adequate acquisition of theoretical knowledge and finding sufficient time for students to grasp the complexities of a realistic, industry project environment.

International Journal of Construction Management, 2021

This research explores the practical feasibility and effectiveness of BIM-enabled education in te... more This research explores the practical feasibility and effectiveness of BIM-enabled education in teaching the topic of project cash flows to construction management students. Using a participatory action research methodology, a BIM-enabled cash flow exercise was developed, carried out and refined in a construction investment course to simulate integrated practice. The results of the implementation demonstrate that BIM-enabled education can promote and infuse both BIM collaboration and professional practice experiences within an architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities management (AEC-FM) curriculum. Additionally, the teaching practice and method in this intervention demonstrate the capability to accommodate all levels of knowledge in Bloom's taxonomy which is a standard requirement for educational module design. This study recommends that BIM-enabled education be embraced and explored by faculties in AEC-FM courses to improve teaching and learning of construction management concepts.

Procedia Engineering, 2018

The United Nations' Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030 specifically c... more The United Nations' Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030 specifically calls for "multi hazard and solution-driven research in disaster risk management to address gaps, obstacles, interdependencies and social, economic, educational and environmental challenges and disaster risks". The Advancing Skill Creation to ENhance Transformation (ASCENT) project aims to contribute towards this SFDRR goal by strengthening the research and innovative capacities of researchers to tackle the challenges associated with developing societal resilience to disasters. This research has been undertaken under the auspices of the ASCENT project and it is intended to provide an up-to-date account of the research methodologies in current use in order to inform researchers of contemporary research practice as well as to identify trends and possible gaps that could offer opportunities for innovation and improvement. This paper presents the results of a survey of research methodologies used in contemporary disaster resilience research that has recently (2005-2017) been published in leading disaster resilience journals. For the sample of 156 articles analysed, it was found that qualitative approaches dominate with data collection primarily from literature and interviews. Case study research is particularly common and the development of theoretical and conceptual frameworks is somewhat more prevalent than the development of practical toolkits and guidelines.

Sustainability, 2018

Despite an international consensus for housing to be “built back better” (BBB) following disaster... more Despite an international consensus for housing to be “built back better” (BBB) following disasters, and the considerable resources expended on reconstruction efforts globally, the management of post-disaster housing reconstruction programmes often leaves much to be desired. This research presents a framework for the management of post-disaster housing reconstruction in developing countries based on a comprehensive identification of the issues affecting the management of reconstruction programmes and the management measures which have proved effective in mitigating these issues and achieving the desired BBB outcomes. The framework highlights the strategic importance of preparedness measures that should be taken before the next disaster strikes and the cross-cutting nature of capacity building and beneficiary community engagement measures that are essential to all stages of the post-disaster reconstruction process. The research findings are limited to developing countries, as the evid...

Procedia Economics and Finance, 2015

ScienceDirect 8th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization Comparative analys... more ScienceDirect 8th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization Comparative analysis of current guidance for the evaluation of building retrofit investments

Land Use Policy, 2015

The aim of this research is to assess the sustainability of the Estonian housing market, which is... more The aim of this research is to assess the sustainability of the Estonian housing market, which is characterized as owner-occupied, in comparison with other EU countries in the light of different socio-economic indicators. For this purpose a method of Multiple Criteria Complex Proportional Evaluation (COPRAS) was used. In order to perform integrated analysis of housing market sustainability the Decision Support System for Housing Sustainability Assessment (DSS-HS) was developed. This system enables the performance of multiple criteria assessment of housing market sustainability in selected countries according to six criteria groups (general economic, housing stock, housing affordability, population and social conditions, housing quality and environmental quality). The analysis of ranking and assessment results allows recommendations to be made for improving the indicators in order to increase housing market sustainability. A case study presents a practical application of the proposed methodology. It introduces the DSS-HS system, calculation results, conclusions and recommendations based on an assessment of Estonian housing market sustainability in comparison to other selected countries.

According to the requirements of the energy efficiency of buildings, old storey house façade reno... more According to the requirements of the energy efficiency of buildings, old storey house façade renovation installing new external thermal insulation composition system (ETICS) has been the primary focus in Northern and East Europe in the past 10 years. This paper will compare different contemporary insulation materials with different moisture content on adhesive strength. The moisture content appears to have a slight effect on the adhesion between the insulation material and the reinforcement layer. Polystyrene materials kept at 95 % RH formed a slightly stronger bond with the reinforcement layer, than specimens kept at dry conditions. Too much extra moisture in the insulation material weakened the adhesion notably, specimens covered with thin layer of ice proved to reduce adhesion greatly. This paper is focused on the moisture content of the insulation board during installation process and the adhesive strength of ETICS.

A disaster resilience education and research roadmap for Europe 2030 has been launched. This road... more A disaster resilience education and research roadmap for Europe 2030 has been launched. This roadmap represents an important output of the ANDROID disaster resilience network, bringing together existing literature in the field, as well as the results of various analysis and study projects undertaken by project partners. The roadmap sets out five key challenges and opportunities in moving from 2015 to 2030 and aimed at addressing the challenges of the recently announced Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The roadmap can be downloaded from : http://www.disaster-resilience.net/images/Outputs/WP9/ANDROID_ROADMAP_ENGLISH.pdf This roadmap was developed as part of the ANDROID Disaster Resilience Network, led by Professor Richard Haigh of the Global Disaster Resilience Centre (www.hud.ac.uk/gdrc ) at the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield, UK. The ANDROID consortium of applied, human, social and natural scientists, supported by inte...

Procedia Economics and Finance, 2015

The built environment is becoming progressively more complex and dynamic. These changes impose gr... more The built environment is becoming progressively more complex and dynamic. These changes impose growing challenges on construction professionals in terms of disaster risk reduction. Construction innovations also have the potential to positively contribute to promoting disaster resilience and mitigating climate change. This initial investigation of the case studies from the literature focuses on the development of a general framework for the effective organisation and management of post-disaster housing reconstruction. The framework developed enables data collection for further investigative studies in order to improve management practices in future housing reconstruction programmes.

Springer proceedings in business and economics, 2023

JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

Proceedings of the 2019 European Conference on Computing in Construction

Buildings, 2022

International Journal of Construction Management, 2021

Procedia Engineering, 2018

Sustainability, 2018

Procedia Economics and Finance, 2015

Land Use Policy, 2015

Procedia Economics and Finance, 2015

The recently agreed Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 calls for reducing the... more The recently agreed Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 calls for reducing the exposure and vulnerability of communities and thus preventing the creation of new disaster risks. It specifically identifies the need to use post-disaster reconstruction to "Build Back Better" and thus emphasizes the strategic importance of housing reconstruction in achieving disaster resilience. In the 2012 flooding in Nigeria, 7.7 million people were affected, 363 fatalities were recorded and approximately 600 000 houses were damaged or destroyed. This disaster greatly worsened an already existing housing deficit thereby placing huge pressure on all levels of government to address the sharp increase in housing demand. This research assesses the performance of the post-flood housing reconstruction programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. It identifies the efforts made to enable affected communities to achieve improved disaster resilience after the event and compares these to the Build Back Better expectations under the new Sendai Framework. Qualitative data were collected from stakeholder interviews, project documents and reports and personal observations in the field. The findings indicate that, while some aspects of Build Back Better were implemented in this particular case, others were not and so the reconstruction programme in Lokoja fell short of the Sendai Framework's Build Back Better expectations.