An Exploration of the Extent of Monitoring and Evaluation of Sustainable Construction in Kenya: A Landscape Architecture Perspective

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

A. ABSTRACT: The following items should be included in the structure of the abstract. The normal structure of an abstract should be observed. i.e general introductory sentence, aim, objectives, methodology: sampling, tools, results, conclusion recommendation.

B.INTRODUCTION: The authors should rewrite the introduction, the stage for the research should be presented clearly, stating importance of landscape architecture and benefits/prospects accruable from the study.

ii. The authors should reinforce the discuss with essence of the study, the problem identified that instigated the concern for the study, the present form is not sufficient and convincing enough.

iii. There should be an expression of aim and research domain towards the end of the introduction section.

iv. The author should carefully observe the need for the choice of appropriate language, style and form as used in the study. i suggest language editor.

iv.The word "interrogation" used is fitted to scenario of interfacing with a real and tangible entity like a respondent, however in the context of this study, a passive entity in the form of secondary documents was used, therefore I suggest more word like "Exploring" to be used instead. You don't interrogate passive or non-responsive entity. The process you used was passive route and you explore two main domains, the evaluation and monitoring domain.

c. LITERATURE REVIEW

i.The literature review section need to be improved with more content.

ii.the authors should clearly present the current state of landscape architecture in Kenya as relate to other advanced  context.

iii.the domain of landscape architecture used for the monitoring and evaluation should be well expressed

iv.more concepts should be explored.e.g. concept of monitoring, evaluation parameters, sustainability etc.

v.where are the gaps identified that corroborates the research domain.

D.METHODOLOGY

i.the author should state the following: type of research used, research design, sampling method, sample size, analytical methods,

ii.Line 137, please mention the studies.

E.RESULTS/DISCUSSION

i.Figures 1,2 and  3, and he tables should be further discussed with relevant citations.

ii.the impact of the study should be discussed and its wide applicability.

ii.the literature reviewed gaps should map the research domain results obtained

iii.Mixed reseach design is advocated for a study like of this type with short interview.

iv. the concept of evaluation was covered in the study where is the content for monitoring of finance, process and quality, since no scope was defined for the study.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Minor English review needed for style and form. Please avoid compound-complex sentences.

Author Response

1. Comments on expounding the Abstract to include the aim, methodology, sampling tools, findings and conclusions have been addressed.
2. The stage for the introduction of the study has been edited to emphasize on the importance of Landscape Architecture as the main scope. The aim and objectives of the study have also been addressed. 
3. The suggestion to change the topic of study to "Exploration" has been  taken into consideration. 
4. More content has been incorporated under literature review to address the comments given.
5. The research methodology has been expanded to include the type of research used in the study( Qualitative and quantitative) as well as the sampling type and  examples of other studies that have used the same approach. 
6. Figures and tables have been explained further to give more insight on the findings.

Reviewer 2 Report

The topic of the paper develops the theme of sustainable building trends and practices in Kenya with particular attention to environmental issues.

The description and analysis of monitoring and assessment strategies for sustainability in landscape architecture are well developed. The bibliographic references are pertinent and exhaustive.

 Some remarks:

-Keywords should include: barriers/bias and public education

-It is necessary to revise the text because there are many punctuation errors, double spaces, incorrect use of capital and small letters, repetitions.

 For example:

capital and small letters 2.2. sustainability assessment framework and sustainable project management

Repetitions:

page 2: According to (Paul & Alison, 2007), Powerful policy drivers are needed to integrate sustainability into the curriculum to influence decision making for professional 86 bodies that want to embrace sustainable construction program

page 7: According to (Paul & Alison, 2007), Powerful policy drivers are needed to integrate sustainability into the curriculum to influence decision-making for professional bodies that want to embrace sustainable construction programs

Even in figures there are errors: Fig. 1 source Samuel, 2019, socilated practices instead of Social related practices (and some capital and small letters).

Author Response

1. The Key words proposed have been included in the revised manuscript.
2. Punctuation errors noted have been corrected.
3. The cases of repetition have been looked into and rephrased to the context of the paragraph. 
4. The error on figure 1 has been corrected.

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper explores the extent of monitoring and evaluation of sustainable construction in Kenya. The manuscript has a lot of potential but is lacking some basics. There are few recommendations suggested to improve the manuscript.

1.       The introduction does not really touch base on highlighting the subject matter globally and locally.

2.       What is the knowledge gap and what objectives are the manuscript answering. Please this should be clear in the introduction.

3.       The literature review is shallow and does not include relevant and recent scholarship on the topic.

4.       The methodology is poorly constructed and does not highlight and processes or methods used in this manuscript. This section should be properly written.

5.       What type of data was collected and for what purpose. How was it analysed.

6.       What is the problem you are solving and how does the findings section correspond to that. Please make this clear in the manuscript.

7.       The results section does not comparatively discuss the findings with previous and current literature on the topic.

The English is ok but needs proofreading.

Author Response

1. The Introduction has been expounded to indicate the need for the study and the aims and objectives of the research.
2. The literature review has been expounded to include other relevant sources as requested. 
3. The methodology has been further improved to explain the research design, data type and sampling techniques used. 
4. The type of data used was secondary data and this was analyzed through a qualitative and quantitative process.
5. The research aims at reducing the gaps in M&E of sustainability centered in Landscape Architecture practice. 

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The quality and style of writing is fine but could be improved.

Author Response

1. Further improvements on the literature review have been made and summarized in table form.
2. Other references and citations have been included.
3. Other studies have been made within the Kenyan and African setting.
4. The demographic nature of participants included Architects, engineers, contractors and Landscape Architects. Since the study used secondary data sources, the sampling technique used was a non-probability technique due to the restriction to use of secondary data sources as well as the need to ensure accuracy of responses.

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript has improved from the first submission, however, I believe the basics mentioned early about the methodology is still lacking. What was the sample, who and who answered the questions. What is the demographic nature ion the participants and are they qualified.

The review of the literature and what is included in the study should be in a table form showing the themes and various sources linked with them. consider reviewing more articles for example articles within the African context for example " Identification of factors influencing the pricing of sustainable construction materials in developing countries: views of Ghanaian quantity surveyors" and cite them accordingly.

Again, the results are not comparatively discussed with past and current literature on the subject. Please make sure these are considered and revised. 

The English is ok

Author Response

1. Further improvements on the literature review have been made and summarized in table form.
2. Other references and citations have been included.
3. Other studies have been made within the Kenyan and African setting.
4. The demographic nature of participants included Architects, engineers, contractors and Landscape Architects. Since the study used secondary data sources, the sampling technique used was a non-probability technique due to the restriction to use of secondary data sources as well as the need to ensure accuracy of responses.