Building Investment (Mar - Apr 2017)

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EDITOR’SNOTE
PUBLISHER
B & I Worldwide Sdn Bhd
EDITOR
Eric Tan
DEPUTY EDITOR
Helena Hon
ADVERTISING
Josephine Lim
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
Chandra Perumal
Pete Wong
SENIOR DESIGNER
Mohamad Azhar Kasim
CIRCULATION
Tan Wee Aik
Ronald Foo
HONORARY ADVISORS
Datuk Merlyn Kasimir
Dato’ Dr Ken Yeang
Datuk Ar Tan Pei Ing
Ar Chan Seong Aun
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ENDORSED/SUPPORTED BY
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)
Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM)
Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA)
Building Materials Distributors Association of
Malaysia (BMDAM)
Malaysian Green Building Confederation (MGBC)
Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (MATRADE)
The call to go green has never been louder,
especially in Asia in the last few years when
economic, social, cost as well as health benefits of
greening buildings were acutely recognised.
It stands to reason. In this time of rapid population growth and urbanisation especially
in emerging and developing economies, the built environment can catalyst many challenges
including climate change, land-use, demographic shifts, water and other resource scarcities.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme 2016 global status report,
the building and construction sectors account for 40% of global energy use, 30% of energy
related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, about 12% of water use and nearly 40% of waste.
If heed is not taken, global final energy consumption and related GHG emissions for
construction could double by 2050. Thus it is down to the building sector to do the needful.
Malaysia responded to the green calling as far back as 2007 when a group of building
industry consultants, academia and representatives met to initiate a Green Building Council
for Malaysia. By 2008, the official registration of the Malaysia Green Building Confederation
was initiated, and by 2009, with the support of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) and
the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM), the Malaysia Green Building
Confederation (MGBC) was officially registered.
MGBC, with PAM and ACEM established the original framework, initial criteria and
categories of the Green Building Index (GBI). Today, MGBC plays an active role in GBI by
supporting, promoting and channelling industry input for the improvement of our very
own locally-grown green building rating tools. As of March 2017, more than 812 projects,
including industrial buildings and townships have signed up to be certified under the GBI
while 390 have attained their GBI certifications.
On our end, we showcase for the first time, the 10 Top Rated GBI Buildings in Malaysia
(pg 34) and include − also for the first time − a brand new column on Landscape
Architecture (from pg 56) featuring Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA) Project
of the Year 2015 Lepironia Gardens at Setia Eco Glades, on the cover. MLAA is the prestigious
award given by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) – a member of MGBC
that plays the role, among others, of addressing the issues of climate change, sustainable
communities, water, housing and the prevention of hunger through landscaping.
Thus, we too, are moving in tandem in the direction of green in a big way.
Before we bid you happy poring over our lushly redesigned March issue, do visit our
website at www. b-i.biz where the e-version of Building & Investment Magazine is available for
download or viewing in its entirety.
ERIC TAN, EDITOR
b-i@b-i.biz
This magazine and its contents are provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranty of any kind, implied,
express or statutory. The Publisher does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the contents
and expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the contents. The content available in the magazine
and its website represents the opinions and judgments of the respective information provider.
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