Development of Conceptual Model for Overcoming the Challenges of Road and Bridge Infrastructure Development: Towards Innovative Solutions in Benin Republic

Abstract:

Roads and Bridges (R-B) form the basis for transformation and communication, and constitute the most critical part in the national economic development drive. The population dispersion in Benin, with high density living in metropolitans, calls for continuing development and improvement on R-B under the current national government policies and strategic plans. As R-B infrastructure objects are complex engineering facilities, and their construction and maintenance require much special scientific knowledge, the sustainability development objective becomes a crucial issue. This paper discusses the initial findings results of a two-round interviews with a group of practitioners in Beninese R-B development, which were aimed at identifying existing perceptions on sustainability and the agreeable priority issues between stakeholders focusing on the development of R-B. By extensive literature study and consultation with the stakeholders, influencing factors and key sustainability challenges specific to R-B development has been identified and classified into five categories namely engineering, managerial, human development, political and cultural, and sustainability. Based on these findings, this study introduces an on-going research project aimed at integrating the different perceptions and priority needs of the stakeholders, and issues that impact on the gap between sustainability development foci and its actual realization at R-B project construction. The exploration is of benefit to develop an innovative conceptual model to overcome the main factors. Through adopting and implementing the strategies and action plan of the conceptual model, the study presents a practical and innovative solution to improve Beninese capacity towards overcoming the problems. Finally, the study summaries the research conclusions and recommendations necessary to facilitate the development of the present R-B tempo in Benin.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 26)
• Pages: 161-175
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JERA.26.161
• Online since: October 2016
• Authors: Dossa Didier Boko-haya*, Ya Dong Li, Chang Rong Yao, Ying Gu, Bin Qiang, Qi Qi Xiang
• Keywords: Benin Republic, Bridge, Challenges, Infrastructure Development, Innovative Solution, Model, Road

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