A Risk Governance Model for Architectural Innovation in Public Infrastructure Projects

• Author(s): Iboro Akpan Essien ; Geraldine Chika Nwokocha ; Eseoghene Daniel Erigha ; Ehimah Obuse ; Ayorinde Olayiwola Akindemowo
• Paper ID: 1710186
• Page: 463-492
• Published Date: 31-05-2021
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 3 Issue 9 March-2020

Abstract

Public infrastructure projects are increasingly expected to embrace innovation, particularly in architecture, to meet evolving societal, environmental, and technological demands. However, the integration of architectural innovation in public projects often introduces complex risk profiles that challenge traditional governance structures. These risks span aesthetic divergence, stakeholder resistance, budgetary overruns, regulatory delays, and functional uncertainties—creating friction between creative freedom and institutional accountability. While innovation is frequently championed as a means to enhance value, its implementation within rigid public sector frameworks remains inadequately governed. This study addresses the pressing need for a structured approach to managing risks associated with architectural innovation in public infrastructure.The paper proposes a conceptual risk governance model that seeks to balance innovation objectives with the procedural and fiduciary demands of public accountability. Drawing from interdisciplinary theories in governance, architecture, and public policy, the study employs a qualitative case study approach involving selected infrastructure projects that attempted design innovation under public scrutiny. Through data collection techniques including stakeholder interviews, documentary analysis, and thematic coding, key risk categories are identified and mapped. The model integrates adaptive governance principles with project lifecycle stages to offer a scalable framework for innovation risk management. The resulting governance model introduces a tiered structure for early-stage risk identification, mid-stage stakeholder negotiation, and late-stage regulatory alignment—facilitating dynamic decision-making while preserving architectural integrity. Importantly, the study finds that successful innovation governance depends not solely on technical tools but also on institutional willingness to accommodate uncertainty, redefine performance metrics, and foster collaborative planning. The proposed model was validated through expert consultations, ensuring relevance for practitioners in both design and policy roles.This research contributes to the emerging discourse on innovation governance in the built environment and offers practical guidance for policymakers, architects, and infrastructure managers seeking to responsibly advance public architectural innovation without compromising project feasibility, equity, or compliance.

Keywords

Architectural Innovation, Risk Governance, Public Infrastructure, Design Risk, Innovation Management, Public Sector Projects, Conceptual Model.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Iboro Akpan Essien , Geraldine Chika Nwokocha , Eseoghene Daniel Erigha , Ehimah Obuse , Ayorinde Olayiwola Akindemowo "A Risk Governance Model for Architectural Innovation in Public Infrastructure Projects" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 3 Issue 9 2020 Page 463-492

IEEE:
Iboro Akpan Essien , Geraldine Chika Nwokocha , Eseoghene Daniel Erigha , Ehimah Obuse , Ayorinde Olayiwola Akindemowo "A Risk Governance Model for Architectural Innovation in Public Infrastructure Projects" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 3(9)