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The construction industry translates idea of knowledge into reality and this reality is the embodiment of the built
environment. Buildings and structures change the nature, function and appearance of our cities and countryside.
Sustainable development in the construction industry, or also known as sustainable construction, would require
the creation of buildings and infrastructure to shape communities in a way that sustains the environment,
generates wealth over the long term and enhances the quality of life of people without the expense of the future
generation. The economic, social and environmental benefits which can flow from a more efficient and
sustainable construction industry are potentially immense. Reducing consumption materials and land,
minimizing waste, using recycled materials, embracing energy efficiency and managing site operations to avoid
pollution are good for business as well as the environment. Achieving long term sustainability in the
construction industry requires analysis and changes to what is built, where it is built, how it is built and the
operation of the built facilities.
a) any building, erection, edifice, structure, wall, fence or chimney, whether constructed wholly or partly
or below ground level;
e) Any bridge, viaducts, dam, reservoir, earthworks, pipeline, aqueduct, culvert, driveshaft, tunnel or
reclamation works.
Commissioning
Construction is not inherently environmental friendly industry and many research conducted has
portrayed construction as a major contributor to environmental disruption and pollution. Construction
activity is one of the major contributors to the environmental impacts, which are typically classified as
air pollution, waste pollution, noise pollution and water pollution. The construction activities have a
significant impact on the environmental across a broad spectrum of off-site, on-site and operational
activities. Off site activities concern the mining and manufacturing of materials and components, land
acquisition and project design. On site construction activities relate to the construction of a physical
facility, resulting in air pollution, water pollution, traffic problems and the generation of construction
wastage.
Figure 1: Planning, Organization and Methods for Sustainable Construction
CONSTRUCTION METHODS
Structures Earthworks
Runoff and
Underground Drainage
Works
Environmental Mitigation
Construction activities and practices that fail to control its impacts and the environment can cause damage to
rivers, lakes and environmentally sensitive ecosystems, kill fish and aquatic life, upset ecological systems and
wildlife habitats, and result in contamination of land and groundwater. The impact on the environment is
particularly high when work is done on highland, on slopes, near coastal areas, rivers and lakes. When
construction occurs near built-up areas, poor practices may result in noise and air pollution which may cause a
nuisance and affect the health of neighbouring communities.
Measures to address the impact of land disturbance on the environment should be included in the planning and
design phase of the project before any land is cleared.
a) Developer/client
The process of securing the best b) Architect
Procurement process for transforming the k- c) Engineer
product to built environment d) Quantity Surveyor
e) Main Contractor
a) Architect
b) Engineer
c) Quantity Surveyor
d) Regulatory authorities
e) Project Manager
The process of transforming the k-
Construction f) Main Contractor
product to a built environment g) Skilled and unskilled workers
h) Suppliers
i) Plant operators
j) Financiers
Developer/Client
The process of utilizing the built Management Corporation
Operation and
environment to meet the business Regulatory Authorities
maintenance
/social needs Consensus
According to CIDB Malaysia’s own definition, construction industry is the industry that concerns constriction
works and that includes construction extension, installation, repair, maintenance, renewal, removal, renovation,
alteration, dismantling or demolition of:
a) any building, erection, edifice, structure, wall, fence or chimney, whether constructed wholly or partly
or below ground level;
b) any road, harbour, railway, cable way, canal or aerodrome;
c) any drainage, irrigation or river control works;
d) any electrical, mechanical, water gas, petrochemical or telecommunication works or;
e) Any bridge, viaducts, dam, reservoir, earthworks, pipeline, aqueduct, culvert, driveshaft, tunnel or
reclamation works.
The Construction Value Chain comprises of: Design Procurement Construction Operation and
maintenance and these are elaborated below:
Construction is not inherently environmental friendly industry and many research conducted has portrayed
construction as a major contributor to environmental disruption and pollution.
1. Uniqueness of construction industry: separated designs, construction, and multilayered contracting sys-
tem.
2. High degree of fragmentation - numerous participants pursuing singular interests on a project by pro-
ject basis. Inhibits addressing environmental protection issues
3. Impact on environment : Ecological breakdown (flora and fauna); Pollutions: Water, Air, Noise, Vibra-
tion; Socio-economic impact
4. The need to balancing environmental values with development. Prevalence of imbalance towards de-
velopment and the inadvertent environmental negligence
Construction activity is one of the major contributors to the environmental impacts, which are typically
classified as air pollution, waste pollution, noise pollution and water pollution. The construction activities have
a significant impact on the environment across a broad spectrum of off-site, on-site and operational activities.
Off site activities concern the mining and manufacturing of materials and components, land acquisition and
project design. On site construction activities relate to the construction of a physical facility, resulting in air
pollution, water pollution, traffic problems and the generation of construction wastage.
The construction industry’s environmental impacts can be seen under the categories of ecology, landscape,
traffic, water, energy, timber consumption, noise, dust, sewage and health and safety hazards.
In pursuing the mission of sustainable development, efforts towards practicing environmental management in
the construction business have been growing rapidly. Total environmental damage can be significantly reduced
by the improvement of environmental performance in the construction industry. Within the scope of
environmental damage, they include disruption to lives of dwellers juxtaposed to a works site, noise and land
competition with other activities such as agriculture. This is in addition to more conventional damage stated
above.
If the proposed development has no previous environmental impact assessment carried out or any form of initial
environmental review conducted, then it is crucial for the project proponent to embark on an environmental
evaluation process. This is to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account at the earliest
possible stage of project planning, and not as an afterthought. Information derived from an environmental
evaluation study should be used to design an economically and environmentally sustainable project