Assessing the Effectiveness of Green Technologies in Project Management: A Case Study of the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway Project in Zambia

This study examines the effectiveness of green technologies in the management of a major infrastructure project in Zambia, using the Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway as a critical case study. Against a backdrop of global and national commitments to sustainable development, the research aimed to: identify the specific green technologies employed, assess their effectiveness across cost, time, quality, and sustainability metrics, and explore the implementation challenges encountered. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study collected data from 70 key stakeholders, including project managers, engineers, government officials, and community representatives, through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings reveal a pattern of selective and uneven technology adoption, with widespread use of energy-efficient machinery (52.86%) and recycled materials (42.86%), but minimal implementation of systems for water management, ecosystem integration, and real-time environmental monitoring. While these technologies demonstrated strong positive effectiveness in mitigating environmental impact (72.86% positive rating) and enhancing infrastructure quality (70% positive rating), their effects on budgetary control and schedule adherence were mixed, with significant proportions reporting cost overruns (25.72%) and delays (31.43%). Major implementation barriers were identified, including high upfront costs (81.16%), a shortage of skilled personnel (79.71%), and inadequate regulatory frameworks (72.45%). The study concludes that while green technologies offer substantial environmental and long-term benefits, their full potential in Zambia is constrained by systemic financial, technical, and institutional barriers. It therefore recommends an integrated approach encompassing stronger policy enforcement, targeted financial incentives, comprehensive capacity-building programs, proactive stakeholder engagement, and investment in local green supply chains to foster more effective and sustainable infrastructure project management in Zambia and similar developing contexts.