Physical Development Framework for Climate Change Adaptation in Malaysian Construction Industry – Current Scenario and Way to Improve

Abstract

Climate change has been universally recognized as a global problem. The emissions are increasing rapidly with the growth of economy especially in developing country. The vulnerability of infrastructures and built environment due to climate change will extend to the whole region, if no proper and immediate actions being outlined and implemented at the very early stage in the development cycle. Implications of the changes in climate predicted in Malaysia mean that present road, infrastructure and building that have been well developed at current and before, may not be suitable and equipped to withstand with the changes in the climate. The impact may cause defect to the structures, and the construction activity itself may become more difficult to implement due to hot and dry weather, and more frequent precipitation and heavy storms. The inclusion of the perspective of socio-technical systems shall provide any possibilities for a much better system and right approach in adapting to the change of climate. Due to that, this study will explore on how the issue of climate change together with the involvement of multidisciplinary experts can be integrated into the physical development framework particularly for decision making process during the stage of planning of the construction cycle, and how it would impact the current scenario particularly in Malaysia.