The empirical study of green buildings

(residential) implementation: perspective of

house developers
5th International Conference on Sustainable Future for Human Security, SustaiN 2014
Accepted in Procedia of Environmental Science Elsevier

Presentation Outline

Study Background

Problem Statement

Research Question / Objectives

Methodology

Method of Analysis

Result and Discussion

Conclusions

Study Background

Excessive development has led to main changes in world civilization,

including the economic, social and natural environment (Mahazan,
2008).

Example: extreme energy production (e.g., oil and gas industry) and
overload transportations.

According to a report in U.S alone, residential, commercial and

industrial buildings consume 45% of the national energy including 75%
of the nation electricity (Gregory, 2006).

Thus, green development becomes a new world agenda to ensure the

human standard of living can be sustained.

Study Background

The important function to achieve the objectives of sustainable

development

Energy efficiencies and renewable energy

Conservation and reuse of materials and resources

Improve human health and indoor environmental quality

(Samari, et al., 2013)

According to a study conducted by McGraw-Hill construction company

in 2005 (Cryer et al., 2006), the most two (2) cited perception factors
of implementation:

energy efficiency and increase of productivity

being good reputation for the company to protect the

environmental values

Study background

Malaysia adopted the green development (green building and green

technologies) since 2010.

Several implementations been done based on Agenda 21, Sustainable

Development Program United Nations (UN).

improvement of living standards

promote sustainable development system

preserving and conserving the environment

green supply management

Green Building Index (GBI) - to evaluate the environmental design and

building performance

Problem Statement

Conventional house produces 10 to 30 tonnes of CO 2 a year that

become one of major factors for global warming disasters.

Green development agenda becomes a new impetus in construction

industry in Malaysia.

Green building technologies costs are 30% higher than conventional

building construction (Jami'ah, 2010).

Developers assume that the green building business is too risky (Abu
Bakar, Cheen and Rahmawaty, 2011).

Problem Statement

According to Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water

(KeTHHA, 2012) the industry faces difficulty in order to broaden the
green building applications as follows:

low demand towards greens products and services - expensive

costs

tough challenge to get cooperation from construction industry

lack of local expertise in green technology

lack of R&D activities, transfer technology and knowledge in green

technology fields

lack of awareness, understanding and acceptance of green

technology among the construction industry players and residents

Research Question / Objectives

What is the level of awareness of green building

(residential) among housing developments in Malaysia?

What are perceived obstacles faced by housing

developers in implementing green building (residential)?

Methodology

First phase is the accumulation of raw data through intensive reading

and references about green building, residential, and technology.

Second phase of the study involved the researchers with fieldworks

which are interviews and observations.

Qualitative approach in which the technique of data interpretation is

creating to explain the real meaning of the study

Face-to-face and semi-structured interviews o

observations of the housing construction sites

Methodology

Twenty-two (22) respondents (all of them are housing developers)

Interviews were conducted at two home and property exhibitions at

Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka International
Trade Centre

The interview guide was constructed based on previous research:

reports from Turner Construction (2005) and McGraw Hill construction
report 2005 (Cryer et al., 2006).

The preliminary interview guide was validated by three (3)

experienced persons in green building areas; (i) a professor of
climate, energy and environmental, (ii) an officer (green technology)
from KeTTHA, and (iii) an officer (green building and technology)
from PKNS (Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor).

Method of Analysis

Data analysis spiral

Method of Analysis

Data organization this study collects data in terms of interviews

transcriptions, pictures, illustrations and observations of house
construction projects. All recording interviews where transcript within
24-hour and emailed to respondents in order to verify the
information. No amendments were required;

Peruse the entire data set several times to get the sense of what it
contains as a whole;

Identify general categories or themes subcategories or subthemes

and see the pattern;

Integrate and summarize the data by using charts, shapes, tables,

figures or diagrams.

Results and Discussions

77% (17 out of 22 respondents) aware and realize about green building
technologies application

Agree that new adaptation in housing construction - it will bring a lot of green
benefits for future generations.

55% (12 out of 22 respondents) have involved into AFFIRM framework

(Awareness, Faculty, Finance, Infrastructures, Research & Marketing): 10th
Malaysia Plan.

Construction companies were encouraged to take part in GT programs such as

to develop Putrajaya and Cyberjaya as pioneer GT townships.

Almost 100% tax exemption of the additional capital expenditure to get the GBI
certificate.

Five of our 22 respondents (23%) have involved in Green Technology Financing

Scheme (GTFS) which worth of RM1.5 billion as a part of soft loan to produce
GT materials for green building developers and owners.

Results and Discussions

10 Perceived obstacles from interviews
Green building implementation: Perceived obstacles
Lacking of technology transfer and knowledge transfer

100

Lack of demand at present time

88

Lack of awareness from industry players

88

Not applicable at present time

63

Little incentives from authorities

75

Too complicated paperworks

50

Not comfortable with new innovative or technologies

38

Hard to justify on long term savings

63

Potential buyers not willing to pay a premium

88

Adding significant costs as first basis

0

100
10

20

Percentage of agree, %

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Results and Discussions

Recommendation factor that will support

Green Building : X factors Perceptions

Highly competition when demand is rising up

63

Believe doing the right things for future generations

38

Growing investment for healthy condition

75

Growing culture for people do the best for future generations

13

Growing demand to spend money for save environmental

13

Growing demand to adopt green technology/applications

25

Strong command from responsible authorities

0

86
10

20

Percentage of Perceptions, %

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Conclusions

The study results can be summarized into two;

(i) green buildings and technologies are still in novelty phase and
need a robust awareness and collaboration between all players in
the construction industry

(ii) governments hands are needed intensely in providing more

promotions and financial incentives for adopters of green
buildings, green technologies, green materials producers,
renewable energy and energy-efficient producers as an engine for
green economic growth for future generations.

Thank you for kind attention