Exploring sustainability facilities management practices in gated housing communities in Ghana: a perspective of facilities managers

Abstract

Purpose As sustainability becomes central to the management of the built environment, gated housing communities provide a critical lens through which to assess the integration of sustainable practices in residential facilities management. Despite increasing awareness of sustainability principles, there remains a limited empirical understanding of how such practices are implemented and managed within Ghana's gated housing context. This study explores sustainable facilities management (SFM) practices adopted in selected gated housing communities. It also focuses on the impacts of these practices on business operations and challenges associated with implementing SFM practices within gated housing communities in Accra. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative research approach. Facilities managers from selected gated communities (GCs) were interviewed. The collected data were analysed thematically using MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2024. Findings The study revealed that SFM practices in gated housing communities in Accra are moderately implemented. The major practices identified were energy management, water conservation, waste management, planned preventive maintenance, sustainability-enabling design features, sustainable landscaping and innovative/technology-driven practices. These practices positively influence business operations by reducing operational costs, prolonging asset life, enhancing user satisfaction and improving the marketability of developments. However, implementation is constrained by limited financial resources, inadequate technical expertise, resistance to change, weak stakeholder commitment and the absence of dedicated sustainability policies. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on SFM within the context of gated housing communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike existing studies that focus largely on commercial or institutional facilities, this study provides empirical evidence from the residential sector, revealing context-specific challenges and opportunities.