An integrated model of a prefabrication hub feasibility assessment: a Hong Kong case

Housing issues in densely populated, high-rise cities like Hong Kong place significant pressure on the local Housing Authority to devise effective housing strategies. In response to these challenges, prefabrication, promoting sustainable construction has gained traction, and addresses labour shortages, time constraints, safety concerns, and environmental impacts. However, cross-border logistics from Mainland China heighten supply chain disruptions and risks. Establishing a local prefabrication hub could mitigate these issues and streamline the construction process. There is a lack of research on standardized model solutions for prefabrication hub feasibility assessments, which is essential for objective project viability analysis. This article proposes an integrated model for assessing the feasibility of prefabrication hubs, considering financial, market performance, technical, social, and environmental aspects. The interrelationships among these five Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were formulated as hypotheses. A questionnaire survey collected expert opinions from industry and academia on influential KPIs and their measurement items, followed by Structural Equation Modelling and interviews for hypothesis testing and validation. The assessment of market performance appears foundational, with 'demand analysis for prefabricated components' and 'supply analysis' as the most critical factors. These findings could serve as a basis for developing strategies for smoothly integrating prefabrication hubs into Hong Kong's supply chain.