Supply chains of high-rise modular buildings in high-density cities

Abstract

Reported benefits of modular construction include shortened construction period, improved health and safety, reduced site labour, and enhanced construction quality. However, the adoption of modular construction is still slow within high-rise high-density city contexts. A significant reason for that is the real or perceived low capability of supply chain for delivering modular high-rise buildings in built urban areas. Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) is based on the modular construction approach, but is newly introduced in Hong Kong as a gamechanging method to transform the traditional site-based construction. This paper aims to examine key aspects of the supply chains of high-rise modular buildings in city contexts and to explore the various possible scenarios of developing MiC supply chain for Hong Kong. A fivefold analytical framework is proposed, which consists of the inter-connected aspects of supplier capability, logistics feasibility, regulatory compliance, organisational integration competency, and process risk manageability. The framework is validated through case study with five representative high-rise modular building projects carefully selected from the UK, Singapore, Mainland China and Australia. The results suggest that the limited capability of module suppliers is addressable by embracing multi-phased fabrication methods, i.e. modules to be partially prefinished in overseas factories and fully finished in local ones for better quality assurance. Using the validated framework, the paper identifies seven MiC supply chain scenarios for Hong Kong. The discussion of these scenarios reveals a need for improving the regulatory systems and strengthening local industrial capability. The developed framework should help clients and contractors to derisk their selection of appropriate supply chains for modular high-rise buildings, and support the identification and establishment of appropriate MiC supply chains for Hong Kong.