Indonesia has experienced rapid growth in building and infrastructure projects over the past decade. While construction drives economic development and urban expansion, it also contributes significantly to environmental degradation through carbon emissions, excessive resource consumption, waste generation, water pollution, and ecosystem disruption. Recognizing these challenges, the Indonesian government introduced Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Regulation No. 21 of 2021 on Green Building Performance Assessment, encouraging construction stakeholders to integrate sustainability throughout the entire building lifecycle.
Green construction extends far beyond planting trees around project sites. It promotes environmentally responsible practices from land selection and architectural design to material sourcing, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and long-term building operations. Successful implementation depends not only on regulations but also on the knowledge and commitment of architects, consultants, contractors, and project managers.
To evaluate that readiness, researchers from Universitas Syiah Kuala conducted a quantitative survey involving 44 planning consultants and 60 construction contractors working in Banda Aceh. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on their professional experience. The research team developed structured questionnaires, tested their validity and reliability, and analyzed the responses using descriptive statistics and the Respondent Achievement Level (RAL) approach, which measures how well respondents understand specific aspects of green construction.
The study found consistently high levels of understanding across all major dimensions of green construction.
Among contractors, understanding scores ranged from 83.30% to 88.33%, placing every evaluated category within the "Understood" classification. The strongest performance was recorded in appropriate land use (88.33%), while water conservation received the lowest score (83.30%), although it still remained well above the threshold for good understanding.
Planning consultants demonstrated similarly positive results. Their scores ranged between 83.64% and 88.94%, with land-use planning again receiving the highest rating and energy efficiency obtaining the lowest, yet still remaining within the "Understood" category. The consistency between consultant and contractor responses indicates that sustainability concepts are increasingly becoming part of professional construction practice in Banda Aceh.
Key Findings
- Contractors achieved green construction understanding scores between 83.30% and 88.33%.
- Planning consultants recorded understanding levels ranging from 83.64% to 88.94%.
- Appropriate land use received the highest ratings from both professional groups.
- Energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and environmental monitoring received comparatively lower scores, indicating areas for further professional development.
- Overall, both consultants and contractors demonstrated a positive understanding of sustainable construction principles.
Despite these encouraging results, the researchers emphasize that understanding does not automatically translate into comprehensive implementation. Several indicators related to carbon emission reduction, energy monitoring, water consumption tracking, and environmental performance documentation received lower evaluations than more familiar technical practices.
These findings suggest that many practitioners are comfortable applying practical measures such as using local materials or improving water efficiency, but may be less familiar with integrated environmental management, lifecycle assessment, and long-term sustainability evaluation. According to the researchers, these more advanced components remain essential for achieving truly sustainable construction projects.
As Deby Tawarmi, Dr. Fachrurrazi, and Alfa Taras Bulba from Universitas Syiah Kuala explain, strong knowledge provides an important foundation, but effective green construction also requires continuous training, professional certification, supportive regulations, and consistent implementation throughout planning, construction, and building management. Their discussion highlights that sustainability should be viewed as an integrated process rather than a collection of isolated technical practices.
The study has important implications for Indonesia's construction sector. Government agencies can use these findings to strengthen professional capacity-building programs and encourage broader compliance with green building regulations. Construction companies may identify knowledge gaps that require additional workforce training, particularly in environmental monitoring and carbon management. Universities can also incorporate these findings into engineering, architecture, and construction management curricula to better prepare future professionals for sustainable development challenges.
Beyond Banda Aceh, the research offers valuable evidence that Indonesian construction practitioners are increasingly embracing sustainability. As infrastructure investment continues to expand nationwide, improving professional competence in green construction will become increasingly important for reducing environmental impacts while supporting long-term economic development.
The authors also recommend continued education and stronger collaboration among government agencies, universities, consultants, contractors, and professional organizations. Such collaboration would help ensure that green construction principles are consistently applied across every stage of future development projects rather than remaining primarily theoretical concepts.
Author Profile
Deby Tawarmi is a researcher at Universitas Syiah Kuala whose work focuses on construction management and sustainable development.
Dr. Ir. Fachrurrazi, S.T., M.T. is a lecturer and researcher at Universitas Syiah Kuala specializing in civil engineering, construction management, infrastructure development, and sustainable construction practices.
Alfa Taras Bulba is a researcher from Universitas Syiah Kuala with expertise in construction engineering, project management, and sustainable building systems.
Source
Article Title: Analysis of the Level of Understanding of Green Construction in Building Consultant and Contractor Planning Companies in Banda Aceh City
Authors: Deby Tawarmi, Fachrurrazi, Alfa Taras Bulba
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST), Vol. 5, No. 7 (2026)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i7.137
Official Journal: https://journalfjst.my.id/index.php/fjst
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