Second International Conference on Construction In Developing Countries (ICED–II) “Advancing and Integrating Construction Education, Research & Practice” August 3-5, 2010, Cairo, Egypt Improving Construction Sustainability through Integrating Suppliers and Manufacturers in the Design Process Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman (The British University in Egypt (BUE), El Sherouk, Cairo, Egypt, ayman.othman@bue.edu.eg) Alaa Hosny Shaaban El-Gendawy (The British University in Egypt (BUE), El Sherouk, Cairo, Egypt, alaa.hosny@bue.edu.eg) Abstract Being one of the biggest industries worldwide, the construction industry plays a significant role towards social and economic development at national and international levels. It provides different kinds of facilities that fulfil the community needs and construct infrastructure projects that are essential for these facilities to perform their intended functions. In addition, it increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), motivates development of other industries and offers employment opportunities. On the other hand, the construction industry is plagued with a number of problems that limit achieving its optimum productivity. One of these pressing problems is the separation between designers, and suppliers & manufacturers in the design process. This precludes suppliers and manufacturers from relaying their comments and suggestions to designers which ultimately hampers the development of a sustainable built environment. Because of the importance of utilizing the construction knowledge and experience of project participants, this paper aims to investigate the integration of suppliers and manufacturers in the design process as an approach for developing a sustainable built environment. To achieve this aim, a research methodology is designed to accomplish three objectives. Firstly, a literature review is conducted to investigate the contributions and limitations of the construction industry, the role of suppliers and manufacturers in construction, and the design process. Secondly, case studies and examples for projects that benefited from integrating suppliers and manufacturers in the design process are presented. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations are made to the architects/designers on how to capitalize on the benefits of involving suppliers and vendors at an earlier stage of design. Keywords Suppliers, Manufacturers, Design Process, Sustainable Built Environment, Construction. 1. Introduction Through providing communities with places for housing, education, culture, medication, business, leisure and entertainment, as well as constructing the infrastructure projects that enable these facilities to perform their intended functions, the construction industry makes a vital contribution to the social and economical development of every country (Roodman and Lenssen, 1995; Friends of the Earth, 1995). In addition, it increases the gross domestic product (GDP), motivates development of other industries and offers employment opportunities. On the other hand, Construction is a complex, risky and fragmented business. It is a time-consuming process that consists of thousand of interrelated activities associated with high capital investment, reliance on developers and subcontractors, extensive and complex regulatory framework, high interest costs and competition. Furthermore, increasing client expectations, the