Civil and Sustainable Urban Engineering

Environmental, Social, and Governance: A Review of Frameworks, Metrics, and Reporting for Sustainable Development

Ahmad Faizal Mohd Yusof — 2025-10-31

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects have become a key framework for assessing corporate performance, extending beyond traditional financial metrics, emphasizing sustainability, ethical conduct, and long-term resilience. This overview article synthesizes the fundamental elements of ESG and discusses its three pillars: environmental, social, and Corporate Governance. This article also examines the complex landscape of ESG metrics and rating systems, highlighting how differences in vendor criteria and methodologies including metric selection, weighting schemes, data sources, and disclosure verification, lead to significant differences in ESG scores across rating agencies such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, and Refinitiv. Differences in the processing of qualitative and quantitative data, sectoral adjustments, and reliance on self-declarations contribute to inconsistent results and limited comparability. Furthermore, the paper reviews leading global and regional ESG reporting frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Bursa Malaysia Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), discussing their scope, applicability, and regional implementation. Despite its growing popularity, ESG assessments still face significant limitations, such as inconsistent data quality, a lack of standardization in reporting systems, and potential reporting errors, which undermine the credibility and comparability of ESG assessments. The analysis highlights that effective ESG implementation is crucial for risk management, investor confidence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable value creation, particularly in resource-intensive industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy.

Lean Construction as an Efficiency Strategy for Sustainable Infrastructure: A Systematic Literature Review

Firmino Fitrino Ximenes — 2025-11-14

The construction industry continued to face major challenges related to inefficiency, resource waste, and significant environmental impacts. These issues highlighted the urgent need for more effective project management strategies to support sustainable infrastructure development. This study aimed to synthesize existing knowledge on the role of Lean Construction (LC) as an efficiency strategy in achieving sustainable infrastructure, while also identifying research gaps related to digital integration and the circular economy. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted on 433 publications indexed in Scopus between 2015 and 2025. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as a quality assessment framework, 14 articles were selected for detailed analysis. The findings indicated that 71.4% of the reviewed studies emphasized LC integration with sustainability and digital technologies, particularly Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins. Waste reduction (64.3%), cost efficiency (57.1%), time efficiency (50%), and implementation barriers (42.9%) also emerged as dominant themes. However, the integration of LC with Circular Economy (CE) principles, such as reuse, recycling, and design for deconstruction, remained limited. Furthermore, the social dimension of sustainability, including occupational safety, labor welfare, and collaborative culture, received minimal empirical attention. This study concluded that LC had significant potential to enhance project efficiency and sustainability, but its application was still predominantly conceptual, with limited validation in developing countries. Recommendations included expanding empirical field studies in the Global South, strengthening LC–BIM–CE integration in practice, developing practical tools and matrices to support implementation, and promoting regulatory frameworks that enable wider adoption.

Fire Safety and Concrete Performance in Malaysia: A Review of Incidents, Material Behavior, and Standard Testing Protocols

Noorhapsari Ratihi — 2025-11-18

Fire incidents remain a critical and persistent challenge in Malaysia, posing significant threats to residential, educational, commercial, and environmental assets. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the Malaysian fire landscape, focusing on the behaviour of concrete structures under elevated temperatures, and examines standard testing protocols essential for assessing material resilience and structural safety. The analysis highlights an alarming frequency of annual fire events, which underscores the urgent need for a coordinated risk management strategy that engages both governmental agencies and private stakeholders. A central theme of the review is the thermo-mechanical performance of concrete, encompassing phenomena such as thermal expansion, spalling, residual compressive and tensile strength, and the effects of prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The study further evaluates the efficacy of material modifications, including fibre reinforcement, geopolymer formulations, and other innovative additives, in enhancing fire resistance and post-fire structural integrity. Additionally, the paper provides a detailed overview of critical international standards, including ASTM and ISO, for the mechanical and durability assessment of concrete after fire exposure, emphasizing their relevance and potential adaptation within the Malaysian context. The review concludes by highlighting the practical implications of these findings: the urgent need for integrated fire safety management, the adoption of advanced fire-resistant concrete technologies, and the enforcement of standardized testing and assessment protocols. Collectively, these strategies are essential to mitigate the devastating impact of fires on Malaysia’s built environment, safeguard human life, and ensure long-term structural resilience.

Research Trends in E-Procurement and Goods/Services Procurement: A Bibliometric Study with Insights from Indonesia (2020–2025)

Dewa Puji Santosa — 2025-11-12

The rapid evolution of procurement systems, particularly through digital platforms, transformed how goods and services were acquired in both public and private sectors. Driven by technological advances, regulatory reforms, and lessons learned from implementation challenges, procurement research expanded significantly in recent years. This study aimed to map research trends in e-procurement and goods/services procurement between 2020 and 2025, with specific insights from Indonesia as one of the leading contributors. A bibliometric approach was employed using VOSviewer to analyze 136 articles retrieved from the Scopus, Google Scholar, and Garuda databases. Metadata, including titles, authors, keywords, and citations, were systematically processed to identify publication networks, keyword clusters, and thematic evolution. The results revealed that Indonesia led in publication volume, followed by countries such as Kenya, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Keyword mapping highlighted dominant themes of performance, cost efficiency, and procurement practices, while emerging topics since 2023 included digital platforms, open contracting, and transparency. Author collaboration remained fragmented, with limited international networking. The analysis also indicated a gradual shift from procedural issues toward multidimensional concerns, integrating technical, managerial, and social perspectives in procurement research. This study concluded that bibliometric mapping provided valuable insights into the current state and future directions of procurement research. It recommended further comparative studies across regions, greater focus on user satisfaction and sustainability, and the strengthening of international collaboration to broaden the knowledge base.

Valorization of Palm Oil Fuel Ash for Sustainable Partial Cement Replacement in Concrete: A Mini Review

Kwame Mensah Boateng — 2025-11-04

Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA), a by-product from the combustion of palm oil mill residues, has emerged as a highly promising supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to enhance sustainability in the construction industry. This paper reviews the physical and chemical characteristics, mechanical performance, optimal replacement levels, and the associated economic and environmental implications of incorporating POFA in concrete. Physically, POFA is characterized by its low specific gravity, initially coarse particle size, and porous structure, which can be refined through grinding to achieve finer particles with increased surface area and improved pozzolanic reactivity. Chemically, POFA is rich in silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with appreciable amounts of aluminium trioxide (Al₂O₃) and ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), meeting the ASTM International C618-12 requirements for Class F pozzolans. These characteristics enable POFA to react with calcium hydroxide produced during Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) hydration, forming additional calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, thereby enhancing strength and durability. Experimental studies have demonstrated that partial replacement of OPC with finely ground POFA, particularly at levels between 10–30%, can improve long-term compressive strength, reduce permeability, and enhance resistance to chloride penetration and sulphate attack. Economically, incorporating POFA reduces dependence on energy-intensive OPC, resulting in lower production costs, while environmentally, it minimizes landfill waste, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes circular economy practices. In palm oil-producing nations such as Malaysia and Indonesia, utilizing POFA in concrete can simultaneously address the challenges of industrial waste management and cement industry decarbonization, offering a viable pathway towards sustainable construction.

Factors Influencing Pedestrian Movement in Banda Aceh: The Role of Urban Density, Land Use, and Connectivity

Ghaffari Naufal — 2025-11-12

High urbanization in Indonesia created significant mobility challenges, particularly due to the intensive use of motorized vehicles that led to congestion and environmental degradation. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing pedestrian volume in Banda Aceh as an alternative solution to promote active mobility. The analysis was conducted using the Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method with three main variables—land use mix, density, and connectivity—measured across 44 grids of 800×800 meters within the city. The findings showed that density had a significant positive effect on pedestrian volume (path coefficient = 0.425; p-value = 0.007), while land use mix and connectivity did not demonstrate significant effects. The proposed model explained 27.2% of the variation in walking mobility. These results highlighted the importance of urban density in encouraging walking activity and suggested that compact urban development could be an effective strategy to promote active mobility in Indonesian cities.

Assessment of Pavement Performance Using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI): A Case Study of the Bengrah II Project in Palembang, Indonesia

Aldi Armahedi — 2025-11-04

Road pavement condition is essential for ensuring the smooth mobilization of materials, heavy equipment, and personnel in large-scale construction projects. Excessive loading from project vehicles often accelerates pavement deterioration, as observed along Mayor Memet Sastra Wirya Street, the main access road for the multi-year Bengrah II Project in Palembang. This study evaluated pavement distress types types and severity levels using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) method based on field observations, photographic documentation, and dimensional measurements of visible defects. The analysis produced PCI values ranging from 62 to 70, with an average PCI of 67, classifying the pavement as Good. The dominant types of distress were alligator cracking and surface deformation (bumps and sags), primarily caused by repetitive heavy vehicle loading and inadequate drainage conditions. Despite the overall good classification, localized structural deterioration indicates early functional decline of the pavement. These results highlight that continuous heavy traffic associated with construction activities significantly affects pavement performance. Therefore, preventive maintenance actions such as surface overlays, shallow patching, and stricter vehicle load control, are recommended to sustain road functionality and extend service life. The findings contribute to pavement management strategies and policy formulation for maintaining construction access roads under intensive loading conditions.

Optimizing Geometric Alignment of High-Speed Railway in Hazard-Prone and Topographically Challenging Regions: A Case Study of the Bandung–Cirebon Corridor, Indonesia

Adya Aghastya — 2025-11-21

The development of high-speed rail (HSR) infrastructure in Indonesia, particularly along the Bandung–Cirebon corridor, required precise geometric planning to ensure operational efficiency, safety, and long-term performance. This study aimed to design an optimized alignment for the Phase III segment between Ligung and Tengahtani by integrating engineering criteria with spatial and environmental constraints. A descriptive-analytic method was employed, combining field surveys, Digital Elevation Model Nasional (DEMNAS) data, and spatial planning documents, which were processed using Global Mapper and AutoCAD Civil 3D to generate alignment models, earthwork calculations, and spatial risk assessments. The proposed design featured five main horizontal curves with radii ranging from 2,500 to 12,000 meters and fourteen vertical curves with a constant 25,000-meter radius, meeting technical standards for a maximum operational speed of 350 km/h. Earthwork estimation yielded approximately 4.82 million m³ of excavation and 47,208 m³ of fill, while land acquisition requirements totaled around 1.83 million m², primarily affecting agricultural and residential zones. Spatial analysis identified 1.64 million m² of the proposed corridor as being located in moderate- to high-seismic-hazard zones, emphasizing the need for structural mitigation strategies and geotechnical monitoring. The findings highlighted the critical importance of integrating geometric design with topographical and hazard data in planning resilient HSR infrastructure. This study provided a replicable framework for railway alignment in complex terrain and supported sustainable transportation development in Indonesia’s rapidly evolving intercity network.

Strengthening Urban Health Resilience through the Implementation of the Indonesian Emergency Medical Team (TCK-EMT Indonesia)

Muhammad Hakiim Marzun — 2025-10-24

Urban health resilience was increasingly recognized as a critical pillar of sustainable development, particularly in densely populated and disaster-prone cities. As part of the broader framework of urban resilience engineering, strengthening health systems was essential to prevent service disruptions and ensure continuity during crises. Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) played a central role in this process by providing rapid, standardized, and sustainable responses. However, the Indonesian Emergency Medical Team (TCK-EMT Indonesia) had not yet achieved WHO verification, indicating persistent challenges in governance, operational readiness, and integration with urban health systems. This study applied the Edwards III policy implementation framework, which covered communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure, through a narrative literature review of national regulations, WHO standards, and After Action Reports from missions in Türkiye (2023) and Myanmar (2025). Findings revealed that although TCK-EMT Indonesia personnel demonstrated strong motivation and adaptive capacity, weaknesses persisted in communication delays, limited logistical self-sufficiency, and fragmented bureaucratic structures. These gaps undermined the ability of urban health systems to sustain essential services during disasters. Comparative insights from Türkiye and Myanmar highlighted how external facilitation, linguistic and cultural barriers, and governance fragilities critically influenced resilience outcomes in urban crisis contexts. The study concluded that strengthening TCK-EMT Indonesia was not only a step toward WHO verification but also a strategic measure for developing adaptive, integrated, and sustainable urban health systems. From the perspective of urban resilience engineering, enhancing EMT capacity constituted a pivotal effort to safeguard disaster-prone cities against increasingly complex health crises.