Browsing by Author "Egbelakin, TK"

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    Challenges in Managing Residential Earthquake Insurance: A Post-Disaster Review
    (2016) Egbelakin, TK; Dr. Domingo, N; Prof. Wilkinson, S
    This paper examined the challenges associated with the management of the dual EQC-private insurance model offered in New Zealand after the Canterbury earthquake disasters. A mixed-methods approach comprising survey and semi-structured interviews were adopted in the study. The research findings highlighted key challenges associated with the dual insurance model that impeded post-disaster residential reconstruction. These challenges include policy holder’s lack of knowledge of insurance policy underwritings and entitlements, high cost of insurance premiums and deductibles, and a complicated claim management process. Main recommendations proposed from this study to improve the post-disaster claims management processes, should another earthquake occur include ensuring property owners’ due diligence, adopting a simplified and streamlined insurance claim management approach, good communication approach and providing clarity and consistency in policy underwritings and legislative provisions governing the dual insurance scheme. The findings highlight the significance of a streamlined approach to insurance claims evaluation and management in pre-disaster planning and post-disaster reconstruction.
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    How prepared are small businesses for another earthquake disaster in New Zealand?
    (Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland, 25/05/2016) Egbelakin, TK; Rabel, P; Wilkinson, S; Ingham, J; Eziaku, R; Saari, A; Huovinen, P
    Earthquakes are low probability, high consequence events which are known to cause significant damage. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SBEs) are particularly vulnerable to impacts arising from such disasters, including: business disruption, employee health and safety, financial strain, or even total loss of business. Owners of these SBEs can make a few key decisions to prepare their businesses for an earthquake, in order to ensure business continuity and the well-being of their employees. This study sought to examine the level of earthquake preparedness of SBEs located in high seismic risk regions by examining the extent of mitigation measures adopted five years post the Canterbury earthquake disaster. Using a mixed-methods research approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data, the research findings revealed that a majority of SBEs operating in regions of high vulnerability to disaster are underprepared for a potential earthquake disaster, despite the general increased awareness of earthquake risks in New Zealand. Cost, time, insurance processes, and access to disaster mitigation information, were identified to be the most important and constraining factors in the overall decision-making process. The research findings will provide strategies to local authorities on how to assist SBEs in making better informed preparedness decisions, ultimately improving their resilience to earthquakes, and thus improving the resilience of the New Zealand community as a whole.
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    Post-disaster construction waste management strategies: Case study Canterbury earthquake
    (Massey University and The University of Auckland, 2016) Domingo, N; Han, JL; Egbelakin, TK; Domiingo, N; Wilkinson, S
    Natural disasters generate enormous amounts of waste, which adversely impacts on public health and the environment. The increasing number of natural disasters has made post-disaster construction and demolition (C&D) waste management a crucial component of disaster recovery. This became apparent in New Zealand after the Canterbury region suffered enormously from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The East Coast City of Christchurch was severely affected, with the resulting demolition of around 1,400 commercial properties and 7,500 residential properties. It was estimated that this generated approximately 4 million tonnes of debris and probably more than a million tonnes from repairs. The government-appointed Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) led and coordinated the recovery effort, including post-disaster C&D waste management. This paper reflects on the post-earthquake C&D waste management processes and their limitations, and makes recommendations to improve operations in future disasters. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with government and non-government organisations involved with C&D waste management, including CERA and accredited demolition contractors. Findings revealed that the “pick and go” strategy introduced by CERA was very effective, as it directed debris straight into the end-use market. This study identified a number of limitations in the current C&D waste management process, such as lack of pre-event planning; poor coordination between local authorities and contractors during the recovery, incomplete policies and acts, and insufficient capacity in C&D waste facilities to process waste. The findings from this research contribute to a growing body of literature on Post-disaster C&D waste management. This paper recommends the creation of a powerful organisation with a clear responsibility and goal to fully control waste management in future disasters in New Zealand.
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    Resilient Productivity-Performance Constraints in New Zealand Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Projects
    (2016) Karimian, S; Mbachu, J; Egbelakin, TK; Domingo, N; Wilkinson, S
    Road pavement maintenance and rehabilitation contractors (RPMRCs) face challenges inherent in performance-based rewards which seek to maximize tax dollar through whole-of-life best value in the project delivery process. To be successful, contractor’s productivity and performance should remain high and resilient to internal and external constraints in the project environment. There is little research on the priority constraints to productivity and performance in the New Zealand (NZ) roading sector. This paper presents preliminary findings of a study which aimed to investigate the key productivity constraints faced by RMRCs and the associated mitigation measures. Senior managers and directors of medium- to large-sized NZ roading contracting firms were interviewed in the process of an exploratory survey. Feedabck was analysed using the multi-attribute technique. Results revealed 70 productivity constraints faced by RPMRCs in New Zealand; In diminishing order of influence, these were aggregated into eight broad categories as follows: finance, workforce, technology/process, statutory/regulatory compliance, project characteristics, project management/project team characteristics, unforeseen circumstances, and other/ external factors.The report highlights the most influential constraints in the eight broad categories. The findings contribute to knowledge by revealing critical factors constraining productivity performance of NZ RMRCs and the associated improvement measures. New and more enriching perspectives were provided on how contractors could leverage their limited resources to addressing the identified key constraints.
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    Size and nature of the Auckland private rented sector – Implications for the spread of housing options
    (Tampere University of Technology, 2016-06) Egbelakin, TK; Kim, G; Rasheed, E; Kähkönen, K; Keinänen, M
    Housing scarcity and unaffordability in recent years has been a major concern in New Zealand’s major cities, especially in Auckland. The need to accommodate New Zealand’s growing population is a concern that is central to government housing policy, with attention having recently been focused on the capacity of the private rental sector to meet a range of housing needs. The objective of this research was to investigate the size and nature of the private rental housing sector in the Auckland region and to examine how the sector contributes to the spread of housing options in the region. Through the analysis of the existing data from five consecutive censuses, the research findings present a detailed analysis of the Auckland private rented sector, with a particular emphasis on the types of household it accommodates, their location within the region and the main housing typologies. These findings will assist various organisations and public authorities to establish priorities in their housing strategies in a way that best meets the demands of the current market, and also to clarify issues around the efficacy of existing policies relating to private renting.