Volume 8 Issue 1

-By Yaik-Wah Lim and Mohd Hamdan Ahmad

Abstract

A high-rise building has always been categorised as a high-energy-consumption building type due to its dependency on artificial indoor environment. This paper investigates the potential of daylight utilisation in high-rise offices in tropical climate for sustainable development. A survey on 13 existing high-rise offices and field measurement in Johor Bahru, Malaysia was conducted. The result indicated the evidence of underuse of daylight, due to the glare and thermal problem, despite the high external daylight availability. Scaled physical model of a typical high-rise
office was constructed and tested under various tropical sky conditions: intermediate sky with direct sunlight patch (DSLP), intermediate sky without DSLP and overcast sky. The finding proved that the effective daylighting depth in tropical sky can be as deep as 3.8 times height of the window from work plane (H). A proper control of the dynamic daylighting using shading device and window glazing was needed for effective use of daylight for energy saving and visual comfort.

Key words: field measurement, scaled model, shading device, window glazing

-By Anna Wojewnik-Filipkowska and Małgorzata Rymarzak

Abstract

The fundamental factor determining the development of corporations and cities is corporate and municipal asset management. In a developed capital market and at the time of global economic hardship, a major issue on which investment and real estate decisions are based is the understanding of decision makers’ motives, determinants of decision making, decision types, decision criteria and decision-making process. The knowledge of these enables corporate and municipal managers to make rational decisions. The general aim of this paper is to provide a
theoretical justification for the importance of asset management in corporation and municipality. Besides, the implementation of a formal decision-making process as a tool of a structured way for solving problems and verifying factors should be included in the decision-making process in reference to corporate and municipal asset management. Although, it is only a literature review, the discussion can be useful for private investors and public real estate managers. It will also be useful in the process of mutual communication as formal methods have the potential to improve communication, raise efficiency, precision and common approval of the decision result.

Key Words: corporate asset management, municipal asset management, decision-making

-By Lee Yee Ying, Choong Weng Wai, Abdul Hakim Mohammed and Fatin Aliah Phang Abdullah

Abstract

Energy is an important pillar in supporting the growth of a nation, notably for developing countries such as Malaysia. The consumption of energy (per meter square) in large public buildings accounts for about 70300 kwh, in which the consumption rate is 10-20 times higher than residential buildings. One of the reasons for such high energy consumption pattern is due to lack of energy awareness and pro-environmental behaviour among government office building users. Such non-structural problems can be solved through research agenda by focusing on fostering energy conservation behaviour among government building users. Choong (2009) proposed the use of Conceptual Model of Energy Awareness Development Process (CMEADP) in raising energy awareness and to improve energy-use behaviour. According to the model, the first step to create awareness is through presenting appropriate stimulus. By considering the importance of stimulation in raising energy awareness and fostering energy conservation behaviour, this paper explores and suggests the usage of visual communication on how to use image to stimulate energy conservation behaviour among government office building users.

Keywords: energy conservation, awareness, behaviour, image stimulation

-By Loo Siaw Chuing, Abdul-Rahman Hamzah and Wang Chen

Abstract

As globalisation of international construction markets emerged, vast opportunities are available for Malaysian firms to foray abroad and compete internationally. Yet, owing to the uncertainties and complexities associated with the international construction domain, the entry decisions for international construction markets are difficult. Numerous researchers studied the risk assessment for international construction projects; however, there is lack of study on firms’ capabilities that are to be considered before making risk assessment. The value of this critical review of concepts and methods resides in (1) its incorporation of firms’ capabilities to risk assessment and (2) its exploration of the purpose of the existing risk assessment methodologies. The review was undertaken to set the stage for a future study on the incorporation of firms’ capabilities in international construction risk assessment among the Malaysian construction firms foraying abroad.

Keywords: risk assessment, firm capabilities, international construction, decision making

-By Ho Chin Siong, Abdul-Azeez and Isiaka Adeyemi

Abstract

Malaysia has undergone rapid urbanization and economic growth for the past decades and is expected to continue to have an average economic growth of 5% – 6% per annum in the next five years. This phenomenon of growth and pursuit of socio economic progress has great impact not only on the economy but also on community lifestyle and environment. The Malaysian government adopted the concept of sustainable development as early as mid 1990s to
address some of the emerging environmental issues and more specifically recent issues of climate change. Consequently, the concept of new urbanism, compact city and promotion of public transport was highlighted in many urban development plans. The Malaysian government announced a commitment of voluntary 40% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO) emission intensity by 2020 during the Conference of Party (COP15) meeting in Copenhagen in 2009. In parallel to this commitment of CO2 reduction, the concept of sustainable development in
urban planning will incorporate a more comprehensive and quantitative approach in the preparation of development plan as well as in exercising the routine development control practice at the local planning authority. Therefore, the scope of work of urban and regional planning should integrate the concept of low carbon city to reduce carbon emission. The paper discusses low carbon emission in urban planning and the policy packages required to reduce
energy consumption and CO2 emission. It explores the existing framework for carbon reduction in Putrajaya towards providing the platform for development of low carbon emission in real estate development and low carbon society in Malaysia. Finally, the paper believes that the policy packages of the environmental blueprint for the overall master planning of the cities such as Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Iskandar Malaysia will be effective for real estate development in Malaysia.

Keywords: low carbon cities, sustainable development, real estate, energy and CO2 emission