The authors report on a study of visual privacy, family intimacy, and building elements of two-storey low-cost terrace housing in an urban area in Malaysia. They examine behavioural and physical regulating mechanisms used to achieve privacy among Malay Muslim inhabitants of the housing units studied. They also look at the consequences of the lack of privacy on the inhabitants over a period of time. Their findings support the premise that cultural values influence housing and that religious understanding influences mechanisms used to regulate visual privacy and intimacy.

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The removal of Malachite green (MG) from aqueous solutions by cross-linked chitosan coated bentonite (CCB) beads was investigated and the CCB beads were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Solubility and swelling tests were performed in order to determine the stability of the CCB beads in acidic solution, basic solution and distilled water. The amount of MG adsorbed was shown to be influenced by the initial pH of the solution, contact time and the initial MG concentration. A kinetic study indicated that a pseudo-second-order model agreed well with the experimental data. From the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity of MG was found to be 435.0 mg g -1 . Desorption tests were carried out at different concentrations of EDTA, H 2 SO 4 and NaOH. However, all desorbing solutions showed zero recovery of MG at all concentrations.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the dimensionality of the environmental concern scale (NEP) and to understand the environmental worldviews of Malaysian project managers. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted among developer organisations registered with Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia in Klang Valley. Response was obtained from project managers and the final sample collected was 87 cases, representing a response rate of 24.5 per cent. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was conducted to investigate the underlying structure of the NEP items while frequency distribution for the data set was used to gauge the environmental worldviews of the respondents. In addition, face-to-face interviews were carried out to gather more information to complements the findings of quantitative analyses. Findings Five factors were extracted but due to heavy cross-loadings, two items from the original scale were dropped, reducing it to be a 13-item scale. The four factors retained explained 61.6 per cent of the variance and were duly named Human over nature, ecocrisis, rights of nature and limits of growth. High scores on both pro-NEP and pro-dominant social paradigm items revealed the co-existence of both ecological and utilitarian view of the environment among project managers. Similar outcome was obtained from interviews with project managers where they indicated efforts in finding compatibility between protecting the environment and exploiting natural resources for development. Research limitations/implications The sample was restricted to housing developers in Klang Valley, thus the findings cannot be generalised to all developer organisations or other construction occupational groups. Practical implications This research supported the multidimensionality claim of the environmental scale (NEP) where four distinctive dimensions were identified. The usage of individual subscales in understanding environmental beliefs may reveal interesting patterns in that each dimension could have positive and negative connotations on human behaviours. In addition, the co-existence of both an ecological and a utilitarian view of the environment revealed that these worldviews align well with sustainable development principles. Originality/value This study is one of the few local studies that attempt to understand the environmental worldviews of project managers.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) by incorporating environmental concern (EC) and its dimensions to explain developer’s intention to adopt green concepts in their future housing projects. The objectives were to investigate the relationship among the proposed constructs as well as to examine the mediating role of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC) on the relationship between EC and its dimensions and intention to adopt green concepts. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted among developer organisations in Klang Valley and the key target respondents were project managers. This study devoted priority to quantitative approach with complementary qualitative data to elaborate on the statistical results. In total, 87 usable questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 24.5 per cent. In addition, face-to-face interviews were carried out to gather information to complement quantitative findings. Findings Mediation results suggested PBC to be a significant mediator for the relationship between EC, human over nature and eco-crisis and behavioural intention. In the model between eco-crisis facet and behavioural intention, apart from PBC, attitude was found to be another significant mediator of the relationship. Interview with informants revealed that most believed human activities are causing detrimental harm to the environment. With this concern, they are confident about their organisations’ ability to deliver more green projects in the future. Originality/value The use of specific dimension of EC and the integration of EC and its dimensions within the TPB has provided new insights to expedite the transition to sustainable construction.