The document defines sustainable construction as construction practices that minimize negative environmental, social, and economic impacts. It discusses how construction accounts for 40% of resource use and waste. Sustainable construction methods outlined include reuse and recycling of materials, natural ventilation, and retrofitting existing structures. The summary highlights how sustainable construction conserves resources through various practices and represents an investment in the future.

1. Sustainable in
Construction.
By:
Mohd khairol hilmi bin Mat lazim
H/P: +6019 4252942 / +6012 3533961

2. The Definitions
 What is Sustainable
• Using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged
(www.merriam-webster.com).
 What is Construction
• The process, art, or manner of constructing something (www.merriam-webster.com).
 What is Sustainable construction
• is a way for the building and infrastructure industry to move towards achieving sustainable
development, taking into account environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues. is
about minimising the negative effects.(M. & Omran, 2009).
• In the United Nation’s Brundtland Commission (1987), sustainable development was
defined as development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Abdulrazak & Ahmad, 2014).

3. Basic Causes and Environmental effect of constructions
• Construction accounts for an estimated 40% of all resources consumption and
produces about 40% of all waste including greenhouse gas emissions (M. &
Omran, 2009).
• Increasing quarrying and mining for raw materials for construction, deforestation.
• Contributing factors:
 Urbanization.
Population growth.
Modern lifestyle –
habits, attitudes, consumerism.
Industrialization.
Transport systems.
• Environmental effects:
• Alteration of land:
Loss of agricultural land.
 Loss of wildlife habitat.
Loss of biodiversity.
Road kill of numerous
animals.
• More energy consumption:
 Depletion of energy sources.
 Increasing air pollution.
Hard Surfacing: Upsetting the
water cycle
• Increasing run-off:
 flooding
 stream bank erosion.
 degrading water quality.

4. Several methods to use.
• Promoting and creating awareness for sustainable construction practices.
(Education for the small companies).
• Enforcement such as mandatory for construction industry by 2020
(CREAM)
• Reuse of crushed aggregates on site, harvesting of rainwater for flushing
toilets, reuse of road plannings in asphalt production, natural ventilation.
• Re-use of existing buildings or structures will help reduce the demand for
natural resources, but will also reduce the emissions and nuisance from
construction activities and the associated traffic.
• Minimisation of waste through good design and control of waste disposal
will also encourage better use of resources and help relieve the pressure
on overburdened landfill facilities.

5. List of References
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainable.
• Abdulrazak, S. R., & Ahmad, F. S. (2014). Sustainable development: A Malaysian perspective. Procedia - Social
and Behavioral Sciences, 164, 237 – 241. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.11.072.
• T. E., & Lawson, W. (1998). Sustainable development in construction Proceedings of the 14th CIB World
Building Congress on "Construction and Environment".
• M., S. L. K., & Omran, A. (2009). Sustainable development and construction industry in Malaysia. Economic,
social,political and cultural problems of the future society.
• http://www.cream.my/main/index.php/news/item/25-mampan-to-drive-sustainable-construction-in-malaysia
Summary
Sustainable construction can be considered as an investment in the future. Through
conservation of energy, water and natural resources by re-use, recycling, innovative
design and the minimisation of waste and pollution and continuous improvement or
“istiqamah” in building, engineering and refurbishment projects.