World Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2023, 2, 569 www.scipublications.org/journal/index.php/wjcea DOI: 10.31586/wjcea.2023.569 DOI:https://doi.org/10.31586/wjcea.2023.569 World Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture Research Article A framework for evaluation of improvement opportunities for environmental impacts on construction works using life cycle assessment and value stream mapping concepts: offsite and onsite building construction Adekunle Mofolasayo * Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada *Correspondence: Adekunle Mofolasayo (madekunl@ualberta.ca) Abstract: There have been various concerns about the environmental impact of construction works. This generates a need to take a more proactive approach in evaluating the environmental impacts of construction operations and further explore ways to reduce the environmental impacts. Enormous opportunities exist within the building industry to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the study is to develop a framework for the evaluation of improvement opportunities for environmental impact for onsite and offsite building construction works using life cycle assessment (LCA) and value-stream-mapping concepts. Various tools for LCA exist; however, there is a need for the development of an LCA framework and improvement opportunities that can be localized to various communities to evaluate improvement opportunities for building construction. This study conducts a review of methods to evaluate the LCA of buildings on local construction sites. A procedure for establishing improvement opportunities is also developed. Based on the author’s knowledge and experience, including site visits, using value stream mapping (VSM) techniques, a conceptual framework of the present state map and future state map of residential construction works was developed. The study presents a procedure for the evaluation of improvement opportunities for the environmental impacts of construction operations. Keywords: Building Construction; Continuous Improvement; Environmental Impacts; Framework; Life Cycle Assessment; Offsite Construction; Onsite Construction; Value Stream Mapping 1. Introduction The construction industry plays a crucial role in the economy, as the activities are important to the achievement of national socioeconomic development goals of providing employment, shelter, and infrastructure [1]. Although the construction industry is one of the pillars of modern civilization, there have been various concerns about the environmental impact of construction works. The construction industry and the implementation of civil projects are considered one of the causes of environmental pollution [2]. Environmental pollution is considered a major problem in construction projects [3]. All over the world, the construction industry generates a large amount of waste [4]. In many countries, the economic growth and the development of the construction industry have had a negative impact on the environment and the natural ecosystem [5]. A large share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions comes from buildings [6]. In addition to its contribution to the environmental impacts, the building sector contributes to a great portion of energy consumption in different countries [7]. The global How to cite this paper: Mofolasayo, A. (2023). A framework for evaluation of improvement opportunities for environmental impacts on construction works using life cycle assessment and value stream mapping concepts: offsite and onsite building construction. World Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2(1), 32–57. Retrieved from https://www.scipublications.com/jou rnal/index.php/wjcea/article/view/56 2 Received: December 6, 2022 Accepted: February 2, 2023 Published: February 4, 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the author. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses /by/4.0/).