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Chapter 1: Construction and Environment

2.1 Construction Industry in Malaysia

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.

2.2 Construction Process


Construction industry is the industry that concerns construction 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.

Table 1: Integrating environmental management considerations into the


construction approval process

Approval process Environmental Management Considerations

Project Identification: Site suitability


Consult local agencies
Feasibility Study Initial environmental review
Concept layout Identification of aspects and impacts
Identification of legislature and regulations;
Develop Environmental Management Plan

Project Appraisal Identification of legislature and regulations;


Land use compatibility, Develop Environmental Management Plan
Conservation values of area
Develop environmental policy, objectives & targets

Project Master Plan Develop environmental policy, objectives & targets


Incorporating environmental management plan
Establish and train in Environmental Management System

Project Design Establish and train in Environmental Management System

Project Constructions Incorporating environmental management plan


Site investigations, Establish and train in Environmental Management System
Site preparation Monitoring environmental aspect & impacts; Mitigating measures
Constructions Environmental auditing
Environmental Performance Evaluation

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

PLANNING AND ORGANISATION


Environmental Impacts
of Construction Activity Construction Planning

Construction Materials Work Sites Traffic Planning


Machinery

CONSTRUCTION METHODS
Structures Earthworks

Runoff and
Underground Drainage
Works

Environmental Mitigation

2.3 Impacts of construction activities on the environment


Activities in the construction industry are complex, highly dispersed and resource demanding. The industry
contributes to the loss of important natural assets and imposes severe impacts and stress on the environment.

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.

2.3.1 Land degradation


Large projects usually involve extensive land disturbance involving removing vegetation and reshaping
topography. Such activities make the soil vulnerable to erosion. Soil removed by erosion may become airborne
and create a dust problem or be carried by water into natural waterways and pollute them.

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.

Photo 1: Example of land degradation

2.3.2 Loss of flora and fauna


The loss of flora and fauna is imminent in any development. Planning is essential to ensure minimal losses
during the implementation stages and steps must be taken later to ensure that the losses are “replenished.” At the
Planning stage, if the environmental considerations are described in detail and allowances made for
implementation during the construction stages, then, the losses would be minimised and and better protection
could be put in place for the conservation of the flora and fauna.

Photo 2: Example of forest degradation and loss of flora and fauna

2.3.3 Construction wastes


Solid inert waste found on construction sites usually consists of building rubble, but may also include as
demolition material, concrete, bricks, timber, plastic, glass, metals, bitumen, trees and shredded tyres. Such
wastes should be reused, recycled, or disposed of to an approved landfill. Disposal methods adopted depend on
the nature of the material.
Photo 3: Example of construction waste

2.3.4 Water pollution


The potential for soil erosion and impacts on water quality are greatest during construction when removal of
vegetation for initial clearing and grading activities exposes soil and makes it susceptible to erosion. The
impacts are greatest during rainy season where extensive land clearing has been carried out.

Photo 4: Example of water pollution

2.3.5 Air pollution


Air quality impacts from construction include increased dust and airborne particulates caused by grading, filling,
removals and other construction activities. Air quality impacts may also result from emissions from construction
equipment and vehicles.

Photo 5: Example of Air Pollution


2.3.6 Depletion of resources
Activities in the construction sector are complex, highly dispersed and resource demanding. The sector
contributes to the loss of important natural assets and imposes severe stress on the environment. Agricultural
land is often lost through urbanization and extraction of raw materials. Forest timber is harvested for
construction and building materials faster than it can replaced by planting new trees or by natural growth.
Many raw materials used in construction are limited resources. For example, the reserves of some metals will
be gone in less than 30 years, if the current rate of exploitation continues. The consumption of fossil fuels
contributes to increased air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases.

2.3.7 Noise and vibration


Noise and vibration would be generated by various activities and equipment used in the construction project.
Noise and vibration levels due to construction activities in the project area would vary depending on the types of
equipment used, the location of the equipment and the operating mode. During a typical work cycle,
construction equipment may be idling, preparing to perform tasks, or operating under a full load. Equipment
may be congregated in a specific location or spread out over a large area. Adverse impact resulting from
construction noise and vibration are expected to be limited to areas adjacent to the project and temporary in
nature. The construction noise and vibration impacts would be localised near the area where construction is
taking place.

Photo 7: Example of noise, vibration and air pollution

2.3.8 Land Contamination


Although it may be necessary to store chemicals and fuel on project sites, this inevitably creates an
environmental risk. Spills can severely pollute waterways and land. Reducing the quantities of chemicals and
fuel stored on-site to minimum practicable levels is
desirable.
Photo 8: Example of land contamination

2.4 Players and their roles, commitment and responsibilities


The key players in any project development are the Owner, the Designer or Design Professional and the
Constructor or Contractor. Other entities such as the Authorities or Regulators, subcontractors, material vendors
and so forth are important supporting players in the development process, the major development of the project
revolves about these three major players. Table 2 gives a list of players’ involvement at different stages of
project development.

Table 2: Construction Players

Main Process Main Players


a) Developer/Client
b) Architect
The process of translating
c) Engineer
Design business/social needs to knowledge
d) Quantity surveyor
products
e) Regulatory authorities

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:

Main Process Main Stakeholders

Design The process of translating business/social a) Developer/Client


needs to knowledge products
b) Architect
c) Engineer
d) Quantity surveyor
e) Regulatory authorities

Procurement The process of securing the best process a) Developer/client


for transforming the k-product to built
b) Architect
environment
c) Engineer
d) Quantity Surveyor
e) Main Contractor

Construction The process of transforming the k-product a) Architect


to a built environment
b) Engineer
c) Quantity Surveyor
d) Regulatory authorities
e) Project Manager
f) Main Contractor
g) Skilled and unskilled workers
h) Suppliers
i) Plant operators
j) Financiers

Operation and The process of utilizing the built Developer/Client


maintenance environment to meet the business /social
Management Corporation
needs
Regulatory Authorities
Consensus

Environment and Sustainability Issues


The control of environmental impacts from construction has become a major issue to the public (Shen and Tam,
2002). The promotion of environmental management and the mission of sustainable development have resulted
in pressure demanding the adoption of proper methods to improve environmental performance across all
industries including construction industry.

Construction is not inherently environmental friendly industry and many research conducted has portrayed
construction as a major contributor to environmental disruption and pollution.

The main reasons that have been identified include:

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.

Construction industry resource consumption and production

Resource Consumption Pollution Production


Fossil fuels Wastes
Minerals Noise
Odors
Land Dust
Water Vibrations
Air Chemical wastes
energy Particulate emission
Solid and sanitary wastes

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

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