A comparison of the building information modelling-enabled construction waste management framework between Malaysia and China

With the accelerating pace of urbanisation, the management of construction waste has become a significant challenge for many countries in achieving their sustainable development goals. This study focuses on and compares the practices of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Malaysia and China with regard to reducing construction waste and improving energy reuse efficiency. A mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire surveys and expert interviews was employed, yielding 321 valid questionnaires and five semi-structured expert interview transcripts. Quantitative data were analysed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to conduct a thematic analysis of the collected data. Based on the analysis, the two countries share similar priorities regarding BIM system development, design optimisation and life-cycle application; however, significant differences exist in data integration and management, data transparency, economic benefits and policy support. Finally, this paper proposes a BIM-based construction waste management framework that integrates technical, economic and strategic dimensions. This framework will help improve construction waste management performance and promote the application of BIM in developing countries.