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efficiency through the use and application of new and enhanced methods, components, materials, and management. This was however not possible without creating a competitive environment in which traditional methods felt under increasing pressure/threat by the very popular prefabricated methods of construction. Iran should also prepare the ground for broader application of industrialised methods and create a competitive environment in which both traditional and innovative methods become more efficient and adopted by the Iranian construction industry. 4. Conclusions This paper intended to study the feasibility of application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in Iran. Several issues such as demand and supply; practicality; costs; energy conservation and waste reductions; regulations, policies and standards were studied and opportunities, challenges and risks were identified and discussed in detail. The results of this study revealed that, compared to the UK, the Iranian construction industry is immature in terms of efficiency and performance. Several modifications are required in order to minimise the associated risks of MMC in Iran. The chance of successful adoption is considerably higher for those MMC that are simple and suitable for small developers, do not require highly skilled labour and heavy machinery, and are compatible with prevailing methods of construction in Iran. According to the findings of this work, the current demand for housing in Iran is about six times greater than in the UK, which could arguably be regarded as long term demand and low risk for MMC products. However, finished prices of MMC products are not clear since several criteria, which have the potential to save (e.g. less waste, cheaper materials and labour), or increase the costs (e.g. less industry capacity, transportation, economic instability) should be evaluated in more detail. Moreover, environmental advantages of MMC such as greater energy saving, higher quality and, consequently, longer lifespan would potentially help to reduce the environmental impacts and CO2 emissions of the Iranian construction industry. However, there are concerns about CO2 emissions from transportation as Iran is a vast country which suffers from inefficient transportation infrastructure. It should be noted that MMC are very different from traditional methods of construction in terms of the associated risks and construction processes. Educating the stakeholders to become aware of the advantages and disadvantages of MMC would help to reduce the associated risks. Without considering such issues, MMC may not only fail to achieve their potential advantages but could possibly deteriorate the current situation. Yet, there are great opportunities for some MMC if abovementioned issues are considered and MMC are adapted to the Iranian requirements and conditions. 5. References Bagenholm, C., Yates, A., and Mcallister, I., 2001, Prefabricated housing in the UK: a summary paper, IP16/01 Part 3, BRE, Watford. BERR, 2009, Construction, Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. retrieved on January 16, 2009. BHRC, 2009, New Construction Technologies (5th edition.), BHRC, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Tehran. Buildoffsite, 2013, Glossary of Terms 2013. retrieved on July 07, 2015. CABE, 2004, Design and modern methods of construction, Research outcomes: 5, Commission for Architecture & the Feasibility of Application of Modern Methods of Construction in Iran 29