Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations

The development of the construction industry in Hong Kong and the UK has long played a vital role in economic development, advanced or otherwise, but has also brought formidable environmental challenges, particularly in terms of the huge volume of waste generated. This review paper puts under scruti...

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Main Authors: Tony Hadibarata, Risky Ayu Kristanti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Urban Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/217
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author Tony Hadibarata
Risky Ayu Kristanti
author_facet Tony Hadibarata
Risky Ayu Kristanti
author_sort Tony Hadibarata
collection DOAJ
description The development of the construction industry in Hong Kong and the UK has long played a vital role in economic development, advanced or otherwise, but has also brought formidable environmental challenges, particularly in terms of the huge volume of waste generated. This review paper puts under scrutiny the environmental management practices and green materials and technologies adoption in the construction industries of two developed regions, Hong Kong and the UK, the main objective being to compare their approaches to construction waste management and assess the level to which they have adopted sustainable practices. This review recognizes construction waste as a major contributor to environmental degradation and indicates the on-site waste reduction according to waste hierarchy as adopted by both regions. Major findings are that effective environmental management practices, such as resource optimization, waste minimization, and pollution prevention, are also enforced through legislation and fiscal policies. The use of eco-concrete, plastic wood, and recycled steel, together with high-tech roofs and solar panels, shows a move toward sustainable and energy-saving building that is taking root more and more. This paper highlights the need for policies and innovation in promoting sustainable building. Future studies should look into the green techs’ long-term performance, cross-area policy spread, and how digital tools help maximize waste and create sustainably.
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spelling doaj-art-28ecfeef26064a8abe97edd91592c0aa2025-08-20T03:26:56ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512025-06-019621710.3390/urbansci9060217Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed NationsTony Hadibarata0Risky Ayu Kristanti1Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Curtin University, CDT250, Miri 98009, MalaysiaResearch Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih I, Jakarta 14430, IndonesiaThe development of the construction industry in Hong Kong and the UK has long played a vital role in economic development, advanced or otherwise, but has also brought formidable environmental challenges, particularly in terms of the huge volume of waste generated. This review paper puts under scrutiny the environmental management practices and green materials and technologies adoption in the construction industries of two developed regions, Hong Kong and the UK, the main objective being to compare their approaches to construction waste management and assess the level to which they have adopted sustainable practices. This review recognizes construction waste as a major contributor to environmental degradation and indicates the on-site waste reduction according to waste hierarchy as adopted by both regions. Major findings are that effective environmental management practices, such as resource optimization, waste minimization, and pollution prevention, are also enforced through legislation and fiscal policies. The use of eco-concrete, plastic wood, and recycled steel, together with high-tech roofs and solar panels, shows a move toward sustainable and energy-saving building that is taking root more and more. This paper highlights the need for policies and innovation in promoting sustainable building. Future studies should look into the green techs’ long-term performance, cross-area policy spread, and how digital tools help maximize waste and create sustainably.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/217environmental management practicesgreen materialsgreen materials technologyconstructiondeveloped countryUK
spellingShingle Tony Hadibarata
Risky Ayu Kristanti
Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations
Urban Science
environmental management practices
green materials
green materials technology
construction
developed country
UK
title Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations
title_full Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations
title_fullStr Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations
title_full_unstemmed Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations
title_short Urban Sustainability in Construction: A Comparative Review of Waste Management Practices in Developed Nations
title_sort urban sustainability in construction a comparative review of waste management practices in developed nations
topic environmental management practices
green materials
green materials technology
construction
developed country
UK
url https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/217
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