The construction industry plays significant roles in the country’s economic development and growth. There would be a domino impact on the economy if any construction projects are being delayed. As the pandemic of COVID-19 had arisen into our global that had affected the construction industry, including building projects. Identifying the underlying problems caused by COVID-19 can provide the best solution to reduce the pandemic’s impact. Consequently, emphasizing the impact of COVID-19 and the strategies to address those problems in the building construction industry becomes vital. Thus, this research objective is to identify problems caused by COVID-19 in the building construction industry and mechanisms to reduce COVID-19’s negative impact. The data collection involved individual interviews with 20 contractor companies that are engaged in building construction projects. Then, the data is analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. The findings show that COVID-19 is causing operational and financial issues, while financial aids and complete information is needed to overcome those impacts. These findings will help policymakers improve existing strategic plans and create new policies to cope with the circumstances caused by COVID-19 among building construction organizations.

Purpose Policymakers are developing government-level pandemic response strategies (GPRS) to assist architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) enterprises. However, the effectiveness of the GPRS has not been assessed. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the interrelationships between GPRS and AEC enterprises. To achieve that aim, the study objectives are to compare GPRS effectiveness between small-medium and large AEC enterprises, develop groupings to categorize interrelated GPRS and evaluate the effectiveness of the GPRS and interrelated constructs. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with 40 AEC industry professionals were carried out, generating 22 GPRS. Then, questionnaire survey data was collected among AEC professionals. In total, 114 valid survey answers were received and analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis H test, normalized mean analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation. Findings Small-medium enterprises have four distinct critical GPRS: “form a special task force to provide support in maneuvering COVID-19,” “provide infrastructure investment budgets to local governments,” “develop employee assistance programs that fit all types of working groups” and “diversify existing supply chain.” Large enterprises have two distinct critical GPRS: “provide help in digitalizing existing construction projects” and “mandate COVID-19 as force majeure.” Eighteen GPRS can be categorized into the following five constructs: “market stability and financial aid,” “enterprise capability management,” “supply chain improvement,” “law and policy resources” and “information and workforce management.” The former two constructs are more effective than other GPRS constructs. Originality/value This is the first paper that evaluates the effectiveness of GPRS for AEC enterprises, providing new evidence to policymakers for well-informed decision-making in developing pandemic response strategies.

The interest toward promoting walking culture has been increased dramatically especially in many cities across the nation. This is also included universities worldwide that have started seeking ways to increase pedestrian activities. Hence, campus planners must address the mobility and accessibility needs of pedestrian in their communities to ensure safety, functionality and conducive living and learning environment. This study was conducted to evaluate the pedestrian perception and behaviour towards the unsignalized zebra crossing in campus environment. To achieve the objective of this study, the unsignalized zebra crossing in UMP Gambang campus was selected as study location. This study was conducted using a quantitative study by means of questionnaires distribution and pedestrian movement data collection. Then Average Index Method was performed to indicate the pedestrian perception towards the crossing facility performances. The result shows that the zebra crossing was efficient and safe from the respondent’s perspective. Other than that, gender and platoon significantly influenced the crossing speeds. The outcomes from this study were hoped to bring some understanding to the university on the pedestrian’s behaviour for future planning and pedestrian safety.

Pavement damages are always associated with its optimum function and considered among the main contributing factors to fatal accident. With significance growth of vehicular road traffic and of accompanying problems of overloading vehicles in Malaysia will indirectly contributed to worsen the condition. Unceasingly, road pavement will experience failures more rapidly than expected hence lead to negative socioeconomic effects. A proper and timely maintenance by road authorities must be made in order to sustain and maintain the roadway condition to keep them serviceable so that it will benefit not only safety but also improve economic growth and social development. Hence, this study was carried out to explore current practise of pavement maintenance strategies in Malaysia. To achieve that objective, a qualitative data of questionnaires distribution to industry practitioners that are involved in managing roads are analyzed to indicate the viability and practicability of pavement maintenance strategies in Malaysia. Other than that, specifics issue pertinent to pavement management also identified. The findings of this study are valuable in developing the realistic performance criteria for seamless road pavement maintenance strategies.