TABLE OF CONTENTS - The Professional Green Building Council

Theme B: Creating a livable, healthy and environmentally viable citiesare regularly checked and monitored, and measured against established targets. Wealso provide training and undertake promotional events to ensure that staff andcontractor competency levels meet our needs and also to raise the awareness of ourtenants.3.1 Partnering with the IndustryThe developments in the way that we work, both in our construction and ourproperty management operations have only been possible with the cooperation ofour business partners. As we develop new initiatives in line with best practices forimplementation, we engage our business partners to participate in the process sothat we can ascertain that they are practicable, and that they also own the decision.The Housing Authority has been one of the key players in driving improvements inthe industry, such as spearheading best practice in site safety, health &environment, working conditions, protection of wages etc. The dialogue with theindustry and the efforts to promote partnering in the industry are critical to thesuccess of these initiatives in the delivery of housing services. Through regularliaison meetings or ad hoc groups, we tap the expertise of our business partners todevelop the policy framework and operational details.Since 2001, we have been running project partnering workshops in all building andpiling contracts plus some maintenance contracts to foster more effectivecommunication and cooperation amongst team members, including contractors,subcontractors, project staff and consultants. With six years’ experience, manyproject stakeholders have reported better communication and understanding ofeach other, problems solved more promptly on site, less paper work, smootherprogress and improved quality of work. Partners have become more proactive inworking towards achieving common project objectives, including quality, sitesafety, environmental and customer service performance.292