As the ASEAN region experiences rapid urbanization and economic growth, the construction industry is increasingly turning its focus towards sustainability. The growing green building movement is not only addressing environmental concerns but also responding to the demands of a more conscious consumer base. With governments and organizations recognizing the importance of sustainable development, green building practices are becoming integral to construction projects across Southeast Asia. This shift is driven by a combination of regulatory incentives, innovative technologies, and a collective commitment to reducing carbon footprints.
In this PlanRadar Q&A, Regional Sales Lead for APAC, MENA and Central Asia Vitaly Berezka and ASEAN Regional Lead Avtandil Mekudishvili explore the various dimensions of the recent green building surge in the ASEAN construction industry.
What factors are driving the increased focus on green building practices in ASEAN countries?
Avtandil Mekudishvili: The increased focus on green building practices in ASEAN countries is primarily driven by a combination of environmental concerns, regulatory frameworks, and economic incentives. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, governments are implementing stricter building codes and sustainability regulations aimed at reducing carbon footprints. Additionally, international funding and investment are increasingly contingent upon adherence to green practices, encouraging local developers to adopt sustainable methods. These factors, along with increasing public awareness and demand for eco-friendly living spaces, are driving the green building movement forward in the region.
How do green building initiatives align with national sustainability goals in the ASEAN region?
Vitaly Berezka: In the ASEAN region, green building initiatives play a crucial role in fulfilling national sustainability goals by promoting sustainable urban development. Many ASEAN countries have developed detailed plans to prioritize renewable energy, waste management, and efficient water use in construction. These efforts align with national commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, especially those related to sustainable cities and communities.
Can you explain the key principles of sustainable building that are being adopted in construction projects?
Avtandil Mekudishvili: Adopting sustainable building principles in construction projects involves a range of multi-faceted strategies to reduce environmental impact. A key principle is lifecycle thinking, which looks at a building’s environmental effects from construction to demolition. This means choosing durable materials that need less maintenance and have a lower carbon footprint. It also involves using renewable energy sources like solar and wind to power buildings, and incorporating energy-efficient systems such as LED lighting and smart thermostats. Sustainable practices also highlight using locally sourced and recycled materials to cut down on transportation emissions and waste. Water conservation techniques, like rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, are becoming standard to ensure efficient water use throughout a building’s lifecycle.
What role does government policy play in promoting green building practices in ASEAN nations?
Vitaly Berezka: Government policy plays a crucial role in promoting green building practices in ASEAN nations by establishing regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable development. A number of countries in the region are already offering incentives like tax breaks, subsidies, and faster approval processes for projects meeting green building standards – in accordance with agreements such as the ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Sustainability. These measures encourage investment in sustainable construction and ensure fair competition among developers. By establishing clear sustainability goals and incorporating green practices into national building codes, governments can guide the construction industry toward more eco-friendly results.
How are local construction companies adapting their practices to meet green building standards?
Avtandil Mekudishvili: Local construction companies in ASEAN are changing their methods to meet green building standards by investing in workforce training and education. Many firms enroll their teams in courses on sustainable building techniques, materials, and energy-efficient systems, and they are also working more with architects and engineers who focus on green design – ensuring their projects meet environmental standards. Additionally, these companies are adopting comprehensive sustainability strategies, like conducting environmental impact assessments before starting projects to identify risks and areas for improvement. We are also seeing a shift towards using renewable energy sources during construction, such as solar power for site operations.
What challenges do construction firms face when transitioning to sustainable building practices?
Vitaly Berezka: Construction firms face several challenges when transitioning to sustainable building practices, with financial constraints being a primary concern. Many companies face higher upfront costs due to eco-friendly materials and technologies, which can deter investment, especially in developing markets. Another major challenge for construction firms is dealing with complex regulations when adopting sustainable building practices. As a result, inconsistent or unclear guidelines for green certifications can cause confusion among stakeholders. Additionally, there is often limited access to training and resources needed for effective sustainable practices. This skills gap can slow down the adoption of new techniques and the transition to greener methods.
How is technology contributing to green building efforts in the region?
Avtandil Mekudishvili: In the ASEAN region, technology is crucial for advancing green building efforts by making design and construction processes more efficient. Building Information Modeling (BIM) helps architects and engineers create detailed digital models of buildings, optimizing resource use and spotting potential issues before construction starts. Technology also supports the shift to green building by improving data collection and analysis. Smart sensors and IoT devices track energy use, water consumption, and indoor air quality, offering valuable insights for ongoing improvements. This data-driven approach helps construction firms make decisions that ensure buildings are compliant and optimized for long-term environmental performance.
How can stakeholders in the construction, architecture, real estate and infrastructure industries collaborate to enhance green building efforts?
Vitaly Berezka: Stakeholders in construction, architecture, real estate, and infrastructure can boost green building efforts by working together and sharing knowledge. By forming teams with members from different disciplines, they can use their combined expertise to develop innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. Holding regular workshops and forums allows for discussions on best practices, new technologies, and regulatory updates, ensuring everyone is aligned in their sustainability goals. So this collaborative approach not only encourages innovation, but also speeds up the implementation of green building initiatives.
What future trends do you foresee in the green building landscape across ASEAN countries?
Avtandil Mekudishvili: In the green building sector across ASEAN countries, there’s a noticeable shift towards integrating smart technologies. With the increasing use of IoT and AI, buildings are adopting systems that monitor energy use, optimize resources, and enhance occupant comfort in real time. We are also seeing more biophilic design principles, which connect nature with built environments. This not only boosts aesthetic appeal but also improves occupant well-being and productivity, aligning with sustainability goals. Another trend is the growing focus on circular economy principles. Construction companies are prioritizing recycling and repurposing materials to cut down on waste during construction and demolition. This is supported by advances in sustainable materials technology, like biodegradable composites and low-carbon concrete. As regulations tighten and evolve with changing built environments, we anticipate that there will be a greater focus on lifecycle assessments to evaluate a building’s environmental impact from design to end-of-life.
About Avtandil Mekudishvili
Avtandil Mekudishvili serves as the ASEAN Regional Lead at PlanRadar, bringing extensive expertise in Construction, Oil & Gas, Energy and Tech industries garnered over a span of more than 7 years.
Avtandil Mekudishvili brings a solid engineering background and experience in streamlining implementation processes and workflow efficiencies within the Built Environment sector. As the Regional Lead for ASEAN at PlanRadar, he plays a key role in market expansion and business development throughout the region.
In this capacity, Avtandil also works on supporting clients through their digital transformation journey. His industry knowledge and strategic approach assist organizations in improving their operational efficiency. He has collaborated with diverse clients across various industry verticals, delivering tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of the built environment sector.
About Vitaly Berezka
Vitaly Berezka is leading business development across Central Asia, MENA and APAC regions for the prominent construction and real estate software company PlanRadar.
With an engineering degree in construction, Vitaly as well holds an executive degree in business administration. His experience in the real estate development and construction industry spans more than 15 years. Since 2013, he has held management positions in international companies that provide innovative solutions to the construction and real estate industries.
Besides lecturing on digitalization topics at universities, he is the author of scientific publications and the co-author of three books. Vitaly is a member of International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI).
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