Empathy Driving Performance

Abstract

Transitions related to climate change, energy and biodiversity affect spatial claims and require an integrated approach. These developments herald a redesign of the built environment. Consequently, civil engineering projects are changing from technological to integration-driven assignments and their complexity is increasing. These challenges manifest themselves particularly in the integrated design process.

Therefore, this dissertation focuses on the question of how performance can be improved by focusing on integration in the civil engineering design process. An optimal, integrated approach emerges as a critical factor. Additionally, the increasingly integrative, social and dynamic character of the civil engineering design process necessitates project team members to collaborate, connect and delve into the others’ interests. Therefore, empathy turns out to be a relevant factor for project success. Moreover, the empathic abilities of the Dutch civil engineering sector appear to be relatively low, implying room for improvement.