Civil and Sustainable Urban Engineering

Enhancing Urban Runoff Quality with Iron Slag-Modified Pervious Concrete: A Study on Mechanical Properties and Pollutant Removal Efficiency

Ehsan Teymouri — 2025-02-04

This study explores the improvement of the performance of pervious concrete (PC) for enhancing urban runoff quality by incorporating fine-grained iron slag in varying proportions, from 0% to 15% of the coarse aggregate weight. The research addresses the pressing challenges of stormwater management in urban areas, where impervious surfaces contribute significantly to increased runoff and water pollution. To tackle these issues, the study aims to optimize PC composition. Mechanical and physical properties, including compressive strength, hydraulic conductivity, and void content, were assessed. The top-performing mixes were further evaluated for their ability to improve runoff quality using a rainfall simulator and PC slabs measuring 650×450×100 mm. Initial findings showed a positive relationship between higher iron slag content and increased compressive strength, with gains of up to 13%. However, this improvement came with reduced porosity and permeability as iron slag content increased. Notably, the sample with 15% iron slag demonstrated high pollutant removal efficiencies: 42.7% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 43.68% for total suspended solids (TSS), and 33.95% for turbidity, due to the dual effects of pore filling and contaminant adsorption by the iron slag. No significant changes were observed in NaCl and electrical conductivity (EC) levels. This study highlights the potential of optimizing iron slag content in PC to enhance its role in urban runoff management, presenting a promising approach for improving water quality in urban settings.

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

Ahmad Faizal Mohd Yusof — 2025-06-10

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.

Current Challenges and Future Prospects of Green Construction in Malaysia

Wil Son Sam — 2025-05-07

Malaysia’s rapid urbanization, driven by a growing population and increasing industrial and infrastructural demands, significantly impacted the environment. The construction sector, a key contributor to economic growth, simultaneously became a major source of environmental degradation due to high resource consumption and waste generation. In response to these challenges, the integration of green materials and sustainable technologies emerged as a viable solution to minimize the negative environmental footprint of construction activities. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of green materials in Malaysia, including bamboo, organic waste, recycled concrete aggregate, and plastic waste, highlighting their benefits and limitations. Additionally, sustainable construction technologies such as solar energy, hydropower, biogas systems, green roofing, and rainwater harvesting are examined for their potential role in enhancing environmental sustainability. The study further evaluates existing government policies and regulations governing green construction in Malaysia, identifying key challenges such as ineffective waste management, regulatory enforcement gaps, and illegal dumping. Comparisons with international best practices, including those from Japan and Hong Kong, offer insights into potential improvements for Malaysia’s regulatory framework and implementation strategies. The paper also discusses the prospects of green materials and sustainable construction technologies, outlining potential solutions to enhance their adoption. By addressing both the challenges and opportunities within the sector, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of sustainable construction practices in Malaysia, ultimately fostering a eco-friendlier and more resilient built environment.

Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Green Building Materials in Malaysia

Aimie Peace Siganul — 2025-06-23

Sustainable construction is essential for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste, and promoting cost efficiency. However, Malaysia faces persistent challenges in environmental management, development approval procedures, and the adoption of green technologies. While various studies have explored individual aspects of sustainability in construction, there remains a lack of comprehensive reviews that critically assess how regulatory frameworks, approval processes, and green technologies intersect to influence sustainable construction outcomes in the Malaysian context. This review addresses that gap by synthesizing current practices, identifying key bottlenecks, and proposing actionable strategies for improvement. It evaluates regulatory frameworks, environmental strategies, green materials, and advanced technologies that support sustainable construction. The efficiency of the development approval process including project proposals, land acquisition, planning approval, occupancy, and handover plays a crucial role in enabling sustainable outcomes. Green technologies such as renewable energy, solar power, and smart construction techniques like the Internet of Things (IoT) are examined for their potential to enhance sustainability. The review also highlights persistent gaps in cost management and regulatory enforcement. By consolidating diverse strands of knowledge, this paper contributes to a clearer understanding of systemic barriers and opportunities within Malaysia’s sustainable construction landscape, offering policy and practice recommendations to guide future progress.

Sustainable Water Management Strategies for Mitigating Pesticide Pollution in Urban and Agricultural Areas

Audrey Primus — 2025-05-11

The indiscriminate use of pesticides in Malaysian agriculture poses serious risks to both human health and groundwater quality.This study aims to evaluate the extent of pesticide contamination in Malaysian groundwater, identify its major sources, and examine current mitigation efforts. The primary routes of contamination include direct application, soil leaching, and surface runoff, with over twenty pesticide compounds listed as priority hazardous substances, commonly linked to oil palm, rice, and vegetable farming. Residential and industrial activities also contribute to the pollutant load. Due to their long environmental persistence, pesticides threaten aquatic ecosystems through bioaccumulation and biomagnification and increase the risk of severe health issues, including neurological disorders, reproductive problems, and cancer. Regulatory controls such as exposure limits and monitoring programs have been implemented to manage these risks. This review concludes that while regulatory mechanisms exist, more robust and proactive approaches are needed to mitigate groundwater contamination. Future efforts should focus on expanding the adoption of sustainable farming practices, strengthening groundwater monitoring, and enhancing regulatory enforcement to ensure long-term environmental and public health protection.