The Housing and Local Government Ministry is in the final lap of reviewing the first stage of the Uniform Building By-Laws to create a more sustainable living environment in residential areas.

Minister Kong Cho Ha said his ministry would continue to talk to the construction industry, real estate and manufacturing market players to come up with a feasible Uniform Building By-Laws.

"We hope to complete the first stage of the revised by-law which includes the Green Building Index (GBI) and broadband facilities by this year," he told reporters after opening the Green Solutions for Property Development 2010 conference In Kuala Lumpur today.

Kong said the government would continue to drive the green initiative and create solutions that would pave the way for broader implementation.

He said housing developers have yet to come to terms with balancing their bottom-line with the incremental costs that came with developing a green project.

He also said many housing developers have yet to seriously consider the potential of sustainable development.

Competition would be undoubtedly stiff in the property market saturated with products that ranged from medium-cost apartments to ultra-luxury residences, he added.

The one-day conference was jointly organised by the Real Estate & Housing Developers' Association (REHDA) and Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements (EAROPH-Malaysia Chapter).

The conference is co-sponsored by Sime Darby Property Bhd and supported by the Housing and Local Government and Energy, Green Technology and Water ministries.

The conference was conceptualised based on educating and informing the industry on the need to reduce carbon emissions due to human activities including housing and lifestyle features like usage of air-conditioning.

- Bernama