Sustainability and Construction

Dr. Kamal Dhawan holds a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru University, an MTech in Production Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India, and a PhD in Construction Logistics from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. His principal areas of expertise are Engineering Asset Management, Sustainability of Transport and Logistics and their climate change impacts, and Sustainable Construction. He has had extensive experience in managing specialist supply chains and logistics across international borders including both Indian as well as foreign entities. He currently lectures on Construction Logistics, Construction Equipment, and Sustainable Construction at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Professor John E. Tookey holds a BSc in Technology and Management Science and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK. He has an extensive track record of program development, governance and research in construction management and related disciplines. Professor Tookey joined Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand in 2009. His areas of principal expertise include construction management, logistics, supply chain management, productivity, procurement, building costs, and BIM. He has been involved in numerous funded research projects addressing the logistics of construction materials and waste, construction productivity, housing productivity, and lean construction. Professor Tookey has introduced over 10 undergraduate and post graduate programs in construction at various institutions in the UK and New Zealand. In addition to research and publication, he is a regular media commentator on housing and infrastructure issues.

Professor Ali GhaffarianHoseini is a Senior Academic Strategist and Head of Built Environment Engineering at Auckland University of Technology. With over 20 years of academic management experience, he has excelled as a leader, consultant, and scholar. He actively contributes as a Consultant to the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Evaluator at MBIE, and Delegate of the College of Assessors at Royal Society Te Apārangi. An internationally recognized scientist, Professor Ghaffarian has led collaborations with global leaders and published extensively, with over 200 patents, articles, books, and conference papers. His research focuses on integrating advanced technologies with sustainable development, including Smart Cities, BIM, Digital Twins, and climate adaptation. A dedicated academic leader, he has developed and accredited numerous programs, laboratories, and mentoring initiatives. His scholarly contributions and leadership at over 100 international conferences highlight his impact in academia and beyond.

Professor Amir is a renowned academic with over 20 years of experience in research, teaching, and leadership across New Zealand, Canada, and Malaysia. Currently serving as Director of the Architectural Engineering Lab and the Responsive + Green Urban Built Environment Lab at AUT, his work focuses on sustainable urban futures, digital twins, and intelligent buildings. He ranks among New Zealand’s most cited architecture professors and is listed in the top 2% of global scientists by Stanford University. Amir has published extensively in leading journals and led $1 million NZD in research projects. As Editor-in-Chief of Urbanization, Sustainability, and Society and Co-Leader of APRU’s Future Energy Landscape Cluster, he is a thought leader in urban resilience. Amir also contributes as a consultant, assessor, and speaker for global organizations and governments.