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Green Construction in Malaysia: Integrating Regulation, Sustainability, and Innovation for a Resilient Future

Author(s): Ahmad Faizal Mohd Yusof 1 , Cut Yusnar 2 ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3575-9074 , Yuangga Rizky Illahi 3 , 4 , ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9587-0288 , Rabin Maharjan 5 ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2258-2086 , Hasti Widyasamratri 6 ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3433-0337
Author(s) information:
1 Urban and Environ Holding, Kota Kemuning, Section 31, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Lhokseumawe State Polytechnic, Lhokseumawe 24301, Indonesia
3 Interdisciplinary Centre for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu 400-8511, Yamanashi, Japan
4 Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu 400-8511, Yamanashi, Japan
5 Department of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
6 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Sultan Agung Islamic University, Semarang, Indonesia

Corresponding author

Malaysia's construction industry has experienced steady growth since its independence, with the infrastructure sector projected to reach a market value of approximately USD 41.85 billion. This review article aims to evaluate the industry through the lens of environmental compliance, technological advancement, and sustainable development practices. Despite contributing to a 4.1% increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past two decades, the industry continues to exert significant environmental pressure. To address these challenges, strict adherence to environmental regulations and standards is essential. One critical requirement is the development of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) prior to project commencement. The EMP outlines procedures such as baseline environmental assessments, identification of potential adverse impacts, emergency response planning, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, staff training, and ongoing monitoring and enforcement. In parallel with regulatory compliance, the transition toward green construction practices is gaining momentum. This includes the use of sustainable materials such as recycled concrete and aerogels, and the integration of smart technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and drone-based site monitoring. These innovations not only enhance construction efficiency and safety but also reduce the industry's ecological footprint. This paper explores the dynamic interplay between environmental responsibility, regulatory frameworks, and technological innovation, positioning green construction as a vital pathway for Malaysia’s sustainable development.

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About this article

SUBMITTED: 29 April 2025
ACCEPTED: 07 June 2025
PUBLISHED: 10 June 2025
SUBMITTED to ACCEPTED: 40 days
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53623/csue.v5i1.670

Cite this article
Mohd Yusof, A. F. ., Yusnar, C., Illahi, Y. R., Maharjan, R. ., & Widyasamratri, H. . (2025). Green Construction in Malaysia: Integrating Regulation, Sustainability, and Innovation for a Resilient Future. Civil and Sustainable Urban Engineering, 5(1), 53–68. https://doi.org/10.53623/csue.v5i1.670
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