Dr Nimesha Jayasena

Joining ARU in April 2025, Nimesha brings extensive global research and teaching experience in the construction and built environment domains. Her work is shaped by strong collaboration with industry and academic partners, ensuring it supports current and emerging needs in these sectors.

Email: [email protected]

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

Background

Nimesha joined ARU in April 2025, bringing extensive international experience in research and teaching across the construction and built environment disciplines. Prior to joining ARU, she was based at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong where she completed her PhD as well. She has also held an academic guest position at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, engaging in collaborative research with leading experts in infrastructure management.

Throughout her academic career, Nimesha has developed strong networks with both academic and industry partners to ensure her research and teaching align with emerging needs in the construction and built environment sectors.

Research interests

• Construction Project Management
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
• Facilities Management
• Smart Cities and Smart Retrofitting
• Net Zero Construction
• Sustainable Urban Development
• Circular Economy
• Infrastructure Management
• Stakeholder Management

Areas of research supervision

• Sustainable construction practices
• BIM and digital construction
• Net Zero construction and circular economy practices in construction projects
• Construction productivity and performance
• Facilities Management in Built Environments
• Stakeholder engagement in construction projects
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Teaching

• BSc (Hons) Construction Management
• BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
• BSc (Hons) Building Surveying

Qualifications

• PhD in Construction Engineering and Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
• M.Sc. (By Research), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
• B.Sc. (Hons) in Facilities Management, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Memberships, editorial boards

Member of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) W122 - Public Private Partnership work commission.

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

CEAS Internal QR Funding - seed funding
Evaluating the potential for synergistic Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Smart Retrofitting Projects.

Selected recent publications

Seidu, S., Chan, D.W., Oyewole, M.D., Jayasena, N.S. and Oyesomo, O., 2025. Leveraging digital technologies and machine learning for climate resilient buildings: modelling the role of dynamic drivers in mitigating critical barriers. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, pp.1-18.

Jayasena, N.S., Chan, D.W., Kumaraswamy, M.M., Seidu, S., Ekanayake, E.M.A.C. and Siu, F.M., 2024. Adoption of public-private partnership (PPP) in smart infrastructure development projects in developing nations: An explorative structural equation modelling analysis. Cities, 152, p.105232.

Lam, E.W., Chan, D.W., Siu, F.M., Oluleye, B.I. and Jayasena, N.S., 2024. Pedagogical Strategies and Critical Success Factors for Enhancing Active Learning of Undergraduate Construction and Surveying Students. Education Sciences, 14(7), p.703.

Jayasena, N.S., Chan, D.W. and Kumaraswamy, M., 2024. Benefits, enablers and barriers in deploying PPP when developing smart infrastructure in non-urban areas. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 14(1), pp.92-108.

Jayasena, N.S., Chan, D.W., Kumaraswamy, M.M. and Saka, A.B., 2023. Applicability of public-private partnerships in smart infrastructure development: The case of Hong Kong. International Journal of Construction Management, 23(11), pp.1932-1944.

Sarvari, H., Chan, D.W., Sahib, A.I., Jayasena, N.S., Rakhshanifar, M. and Al-Gburi, G., 2022. Determining the main criteria for selecting appropriate methods for repair and maintenance of commercial real estate in Iran. Facilities, 40(5/6), pp.281-296.

Jayasena, N.S., Chan, D.W. and Kumaraswamy, M.M., 2022. Is public–private partnership (PPP) a preferred strategy for procuring smart infrastructure in developed countries: an empirical study of the perceived benefits, barriers and recommended strategies. Sustainability, 14(11), p.6421.

Jayasena, N.S., Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S., Mallawaarachchi, H. and Peiris, S., 2021. Ensuring engagement of stakeholders in smart city projects: Case study in Sri Lanka. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 147(4), p.05021045.

Perera, W.Y., Perera, B.A.K.S. and Jayasena, N.S., 2021. Adaptability of the shared workspace concept, for office buildings in Sri Lanka. Intelligent Buildings International, 13(4), pp.327-341.

Olawumi, T.O., Saka, A.B., Chan, D.W. and Jayasena, N.S., 2021. Scientometric review and analysis: A case example of smart buildings and smart cities. Secondary research methods in the built environment, pp.147-162.

Jayasena, N.S., Chan, D.W. and Kumaraswamy, M., 2021. A systematic literature review and analysis towards developing PPP models for delivering smart infrastructure. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 11(1), pp.121-137.

Jayasena, N.S., Mallawaarachchi, H. and De Silva, L., 2020. Environmental sustainability of facilities management: analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based model for evaluation. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(2), pp.261-276.

Recent presentations and conferences

Jayasena, N.S., Peiris, S., Chan, D.W., Kumaraswamy, M.M. and Lai, J.H., 2025. Mapping Public-Private Partnerships with Smart Retrofitting in Built Infrastructure Facilities: A Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review. In CIB Conferences(Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 412).

Jayasena, N.S., Peiris, S., Chan, D.W., Kumaraswamy, M.M. and Lai, J.H., 2024, Boosting the Circular Economy and Smart Villages Through PPP. In 7th International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development COSVARD 2024 ( 33-45).

Jayasena, N.S., Mallawaarachchi, H. and Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S., 2019, October. A critical review on the drivers and barriers for enabling smart cities. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Bangkok, Thailand(pp. 2405-2413).

Jayasena, N.S., Mallawaarachchi, H. and Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S., 2019. Stakeholder analysis for smart city development project: an extensive literature review. In MATEC web of conferences(Vol. 266, p. 06012). EDP Sciences.

Jayasena, N.S. and Mallawaarachchi, H. 2018. Environmental Sustainability Assessment for Facilities Management: Apparel Sector in Sri Lanka. In 7th World Construction Symposium 2018: Built Asset Sustainability: Rethinking Design, Construction and Operations (p.223-232).

Jayasena, N., Mallawaarachchi, H. and Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S. 2018. Initiating Smart City Concept for Sustainable Urban Development: A Litereture Review. In Tenth International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-10) (p. 469-477).

Manoj, S., Mallawaarachchi, H., Soorige, S.D.A. and Jayasena, N., 2018. Accessibility of emergency evacuation for differently-abled people in public hospital buildings in sri lanka: the national policy enhancements. In 7th World Construction Symposium 2018: Built Asset Sustainability: Rethinking Design, Construction and Operations.

Herath, H.M.P.K., Rajini, D., Rathnayake, U. and Jayasena, N., Customer Relationship Management in Facilities Management: a Study of Office Buildings in Sri Lanka. In 7th World Construction Symposium 2018: Built Asset Sustainability: Rethinking Design, Construction and Operations.