The construction industry continues to drive economic growth; it is also one of the largest contributors to resource depletion and carbon emissions. This book takes up the challenge of rethinking how building projects are conceived, costed, and delivered in a world facing climate urgency. It examines how financial decisions shape environmental outcomes, and how sustainability goals can be undermined when costs and ecological impacts are treated separately. Through its chapters, readers are introduced to new ways of aligning economic and environmental priorities. The contributions range from theoretical reflections on the principles of sustainable value to grounded studies that reveal how integrated approaches can work in practice. Along the way, the book highlights innovations such as lifecycle-based assessments, circular economy strategies, and emerging digital tools, offering a toolkit for reimagining construction processes that are both affordable and climate-conscious. Rather than prescribing a single path forward, the volume invites reflection and debate. It asks necessary questions about the role of professionals, the responsibilities of policymakers, and the opportunities for collaboration across the built environment. By bringing together multiple voices and perspectives, the book opens new conversations about how the industry can move beyond business-as-usual and contribute to a built environment that is competitive, resilient, and sustainable for generations to come.

Sr. Dr. Nurshuhada Zainon  is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaya and a Professional Quantity Surveyor registered with the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). She is also a member of the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM). Her research focuses on digital sustainability, particularly the application of digital tools to enhance sustainable construction and support evidence-based decision-making in the built environment. She has actively collaborated with government agencies and professional bodies, including the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia and the Public Works Department (JKR) Malaysia, to advance digital transformation and sustainable practices in the construction sector. Prior to joining academia, she contributed to Malaysia’s National e-Tendering Initiative through CIDB e-Construct. In recognition of her research contributions, she received Universiti Malaya’s Young Excellent Researcher Award in 2019. Her work is driven by a commitment to bridging academia and industry through digital innovation, sustainability, and professional engagement to improve the performance and resilience of the built environment.

Dr. Zafira Nadia Maaz is a Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at Universiti Malaya. Her research focuses on sustainable construction, carbon accounting, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and digital governance for the built environment. She has contributed to Construction 4.0 initiatives in Malaysia and collaborates with government agencies, professional institutions and industry stakeholders to translate research into practical solutions for the construction sector. She was invited to present her research on data analytics and AI at the University of Cambridge in 2023 and is the youngest female recipient of the RICS Young Achiever Award in Southeast Asia. Beyond academic publishing, she actively communicates construction sustainability issues to wider audiences through professional forums and media platforms, including The Edge Malaysia and BERNAMA. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing practical, data-driven and low-carbon approaches within the built environment sector.