EMBRACING CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN MALAYSIA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: READINESS, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIC PATHWAYS

Authors

  • Najah Md Alwi Centre of Sustainable Planning & Real Estate (SUPRE), Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA
  • Siti Nazziera Mokhtar Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC), UNIVERSITI MALAYA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1810

Keywords:

Circular Economy, Sustainable Construction, Design Leadership, Malaysia, Built Environment

Abstract

The construction sector in Malaysia is undergoing rapid urbanization, leading to increased resource consumption and environmental degradation. This paper aims to evaluate the readiness of Malaysia’s construction industry to adopt Circular Economy (CE) principles, by examining existing regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and strategic barriers. This study offers grounded insights into how Circular Economy (CE) strategies can be operationalised in Malaysia’s construction sector through a combination of stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions, and international benchmarking. The research investigates regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and existing barriers to CE adoption. A qualitative research approach, including policy analysis, local authority engagement, focus groups, and comparative framework analysis, was conducted. Findings contribute to policy recommendations and industry best practices, fostering a transition towards sustainability in Malaysia’s built environment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ali, N. H. S. M., Lee, Y. S., Alias, A. R., & Rahman, R. A. (2024). Integration of Circular Economy into Design and Construction of Infrastructure Projects in Malaysia: Barriers and Countermeasures. Planning Malaysia: Journal of the Malaysia Institute of Planners, 22(3), 121-134, https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v22i32.1497

ASEAN Secretariat. (2022). ASEAN Transition Towards Circular Economy. ASEAN Policy Brief No. 5.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

CE Benchmarking Report. (2025). Comparative Circular Economy Implementation in China, Singapore, Japan, and Germany. [Unpublished report]

CIDB Malaysia. (2021). Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP) 2021–2025: Driving Sustainability in Construction. CIDB Malaysia.

CIDB Malaysia. (2023). Sustainable Construction Guidelines: Integrating Circular Economy in Malaysia’s Built Environment. CIDB Malaysia.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (3rd ed.). Sage

Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia. (2023). Annual Report on Solid Waste and Construction Waste Management 2023. Putrajaya: DOE Malaysia.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2020). Circular Economy in the Built Environment: Opportunities and Challenges. Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

European Commission. (2019). Circular economy action plan for the construction sector. Brussels: European Union.

European Environment Agency (EEA). (2023). Circular Economy Monitoring Framework in the EU: 2023 Progress Report. Copenhagen: EEA.

Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (6th ed.). Sage.

Jabatan Warisan Negara [National Heritage Department]. (2024). Heritage Management and Adaptive Reuse Guidelines for Historic Urban Areas. Putrajaya: Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT). (2024). Blueprint Ekonomi Kitaran Sisa Pepejal di Malaysia 2025–2035. Putrajaya: KPKT.

Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC). (2021). Sustainability and Circular Economy in Malaysia’s Construction Industry. MGTC.

National Environment Agency (NEA) Singapore. (2024). Zero Waste Masterplan Progress Update 2024. Singapore: NEA.

PwC Japan Group. (2024). Towards Sustainable Growth in ASEAN: Circular Economy Research Report 2024. PwC Japan Group.

Salleh, H., Ying, C. K., Hanid, M., Abdul Samad, Z., Mohamed Sabli, N. A., & Syed Khuzzan, S. M. (2022). Development Of Guidance for The Adoption of Circular Economy in Construction and Demolition Waste Management. Planning Malaysia, 20(24). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v20i24.1216

Think City. (2023). Circular Economy and Urban Regeneration in Malaysia: Policy Perspectives and Practice. Kuala Lumpur: Think City.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction: Towards a Zero-Emission, Efficient and Resilient Buildings and Construction Sector. Nairobi: UNEP.

World Economic Forum. (2022). The Role of Design Leadership in Sustainable Construction Practices. WEF.

World Green Building Council (WGBC). (2023). Circular Built Environment: How to Reuse, Recover, and Regenerate Materials. London: World Green Building Council.

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Sage.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-16

How to Cite

Md Alwi, N., & Mokhtar, S. N. (2025). EMBRACING CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN MALAYSIA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: READINESS, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIC PATHWAYS. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 23(38). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1810

Issue

Vol. 23 (2025): PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL : Volume 23, Issue 4, 2025

Section

Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.

Copyright & Creative Commons Licence

eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.

The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.