Mottainai in civil engineering – A message from Japan

Main Article Content

Magdalena Vaverkova
Yasuhiro Matsui
Igor Vaverka


Keywords : civil engineering, material wastage, sustainability, construction, closed loop economy
Abstract

This article examines the impact of Japan’s mottainai concept on civil engineering practices, focusing on the waste of materials, financial resources, and harmonisation of structures with the environment. The authors highlight the global challenges of environmental and social imbalances in the context of global warming. The Japanese concept of mottainai is presented as the key to shaping the civil engineering approach. The inefficient use of raw materials was analysed in terms of material waste. A transition to a closed-loop economy is recommended, emphasising the need for resource efficiency. In the context of financial resources, the need for efficient budget allocation and project management is emphasised. The section on harmonising structures with the environment focuses on aesthetics, environment, sustainable mobility, and an integrated approach to urban planning. Civil engineering projects should combine functional efficiency with respect to the environment, and the mottainai concept can be a tool for achieving sustainability in civil engineering. Innovative solutions, such as intelligent energy management systems, are recommended to improve construction efficiency.

Article Details

How to Cite
Vaverkova , M. ., Matsui, Y., & Vaverka, I. (2024). Mottainai in civil engineering – A message from Japan. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Architectura, 22(1), 205–217. https://doi.org/10.22630/ASPA.2023.22.20
References

Aboelata, M. J., Ersoylu, L. & Cohen, L. (2011). Community engagement in design and planning. In A. L. Dannenberg, H. Frumkin, R. J. Jackson (Eds), Making Healthy Places: Designing and Building for Health (pp. 287–302). Washington: Island Press. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-036-1_19 (Crossref)

Akinosho, T. D., Oyedele, L. O., Bilal, M., Ajayi, A. O., Delgado, M. D., Akinade, O. O. & Ahmed, A. A. (2020). Deep learning in the construction industry: A review of present status and future innovations. Journal of Building Engineering, 32, 101827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101827 (Crossref)

Avotra, A. A. R. N., Chenyun, Y., Yongmin, W., Lijuan, Z. & Nawaz, A. (2021). Conceptualizing the state of the art of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in green construction and its nexus to sustainable development. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 9, 541. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.774822 (Crossref)

Bao, Z., Lee, W. M. & Lu, W. (2020). Implementing on-site construction waste recycling in Hong Kong: Barriers and facilitators. Science of the Total Environment, 747, 141091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141091 (Crossref)

Barbhuiya, S. & Das, B. B. (2023). Life Cycle Assessment of construction materials: Methodologies, applications and future directions for sustainable decision-making. Case Studies in Construction Materials, e02326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02326 (Crossref)

Berglund, E. Z., Monroe, J. G., Ahmed, I., Noghabaei, M., Do, J., Pesantez, J. E., Khaksar Fasaee, M. A., Bardaka, E., Han, K., Proestos, G. T. & Levis, J. (2020). Smart infrastructure: a vision for the role of the civil engineering profession in smart cities. Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 26 (2), 03120001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IS.1943-555X.0000549 (Crossref)

Cheng, B., Lv, Y., Zhan, Y., Su, D. & Cao, S. (2015). Constructing China’s roads as works of art: a case study of “esthetic greenway” construction in the Shennongjia region of China. Land Degradation & Development, 26 (4), 324–330. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2210 (Crossref)

Curtis, C. (2008). Planning for sustainable accessibility: The implementation challenge. Transport Policy, 15 (2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.10.003 (Crossref)

De Medici, S. (2021). Italian architectural heritage and photovoltaic systems. Matching style with sustainability. Sustainability, 13 (4), 2108. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042108 (Crossref)

Eggenberger, M. & Partidário, M. R. (2000). Development of a framework to assist the integration of environmental, social and economic issues in spatial planning. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 18 (3), 201–207. https://doi.org/10.3152/147154600781767448 (Crossref)

El khatib, M., Alnaqbi, K., Alnaqbi, W., Al Jaziri, A., Al Maazmi, K. & Alzoubi, H. M. (2022). BIM as a tool to optimize and manage project risk management. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 7 (1), 6307–6323. https://kalaharijournals.com/resources/IJME_Vol7.1_658.pdf

Emelianov, S. G., Bakaeva, N. V. & Zuleta, D. P. (2019). Criteria for reconstruction of urban environment on principles of harmonizing nature, society and human being. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 687 (6), 066002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/687/6/066002 (Crossref)

Feng, W., Zhang, Q., Ji, H., Wang, R., Zhou, N., Ye, Q., Hao, B., Li, Y., Luo, D. & Lau, S. S. Y. (2019). A review of net zero energy buildings in hot and humid climates: Experience learned from 34 case study buildings. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 114, 109303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109303 (Crossref)

Fernandes, A., Rangel, B., Alves, J. L. & Neto, B. (2019). Educating Designers to Sustainable Innovation. A reflection on the Contribution of Design in Projects with Social and Environmental Impact. In International Conference on Education and New Developments 2019 (pp. 242–246). https://doi.org/10.36315/2019v1end051 (Crossref)

Gagliano, A., Nocera, F., Patania, F., Detomaso, M. & Sapienza, V. (2014). Deploy energy-efficient technologies in the restoration of a traditional building in the historical center of Catania (Italy). Energy Procedia, 62, 62–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.12.367 (Crossref)

Gagnon, B., Leduc, R. & Savard, L. (2012). From a conventional to a sustainable engineering design process: different shades of sustainability. Journal of Engineering Design, 23 (1), 49–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544828.2010.516246 (Crossref)

Ghaffar, S. H., Burman, M. & Braimah, N. (2020). Pathways to circular construction: An integrated management of construction and demolition waste for resource recovery. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 118710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118710 (Crossref)

Giduthuri, V. K. (2015). Sustainable urban mobility: challenges, initiatives and planning. Current Urban Studies, 3 (03), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.4236/cus.2015.33022 (Crossref)

Gluch, P. (2005). Building Green-Perspectives on Environmental Mangagement in Construction (PhD thesis). Göteborg: Chalmers Univeristy of Technology.

Grêt-Regamey, A., Altwegg, J., Sirén, E. A., Strien, M. J. van & Weibel, B. (2017). Integrating ecosystem services into spatial planning – A spatial decision support tool. Landscape and Urban Planning, 165, 206–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.05.003 (Crossref)

Huser, B. (2011). Integrated spatial planning. Geomatica, 65 (3), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.5623/cig2011-042 (Crossref)

Huang, Z., Fan, H., Shen, L. & Du, X. (2021). Policy instruments for addressing construction equipment emission – A research review from a global perspective. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 86, 106486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2020.106486 (Crossref)

Jalaei, F., Zoghi, M. & Khoshand, A. (2019). Life cycle environmental impact assessment to manage and optimize construction waste using Building Information Modeling (BIM). International Journal of Construction Management, 21 (8), 784–801. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1583850 (Crossref)

Jimura, T. (2023). Sustainability of Japan’s Tangible Cultural Heritage. In Sustainability Management in Heritage and Tourism: The Concept and Practice of Mottainai in Japan (pp. 35–67). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40269-2_2 (Crossref)

Joensuu, T., Edelman, H. & Saari, A. (2020). Circular economy practices in the built environment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 276, 124215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124215 (Crossref)

Johnston, C. R., Caswell, D. J. & Armitage, G. M. (2007). Developing environmental awareness in engineers through Engineers Without Borders and sustainable design projects. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 64 (4), 501–506. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207230701382198 (Crossref)

Kabirifar, K., Mojtahedi, M., Wang, C. & Tam, V. W. (2020). Construction and demolition waste management contributing factors coupled with reduce, reuse, and recycle strategies for effective waste management: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 263, 121265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121265 (Crossref)

Kamel, F. & Lim, K. H. (2012). Art of engaging with the community for successful engineering projects. In 2012 4th International Congress on Engineering Education (pp. 1–6). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEED.2012.6779261 (Crossref)

Keirl, S. (2020). Developing a pedagogy of critiquing as a key dimension of design and technology education. In P. J. Williams & D. Barlex (Eds), Pedagogy for Technology Education in Secondary Schools: Research Informed Perspectives for Classroom Teachers (pp. 135–149). Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41548-8_8 (Crossref)

Khaing, T. M. M. (2020). The Significance of Harmonization in Natural Environment and Cultural Environment. Bago University Research Journal, 10 (1), 101–106.

Kim, H., Choi, H., Kang, H., An, J., Yeom, S. & Hong, T. (2021). A systematic review of the smart energy conservation system: From smart homes to sustainable smart cities. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 140, 110755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110755 (Crossref)

Kimata, A. & Takahashi, M. (2020). Investigating the emergence of innovative green technologies using the causal texture model. The effect of Japanese cultural values. The Journal of Organization and Discourse, 1 (1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.36605/jscos.1.1_12 (Crossref)

Kimata, A. & Takahashi, M. (2022). Japanese Cultural Values as a Source of Green Business. In J. A. Jaworski (Ed.), Advances in Sociology Research (Vol. 38, pp. 43–74). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Kinefuchi, E. (2018). Wangari Maathai and Mottainai: Gifting “Cultural Appropriation” with Cultural Empowerment. In E. M. Mutua, A. González, A. Wolbert (Eds), The Rhetorical Legacy of Wangari Maathai: Planting the Future (pp. 137–156). Lanham, MA: Lexington Books.

Kinomoboy (2023). Mottainai. A Message From Japan To The World! Retrived from: https://www.kimonoboy.com/mottainai.html [accessed: 08.12.2023].

Keulemans, G., Harle, J., Hashimoto, K. & Mugavin, L. (2020). Design considerations for the transformative reuse of a Japanese temple. In S. Boess, M. Cheung & R. Cain (Eds), Synergy – DRS International Conference 2020, 11–14 August, Held online. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2020.183 (Crossref)

Lewis, P., Karimi, B., Shan, Y. & Rasdorf, W. (2019). Comparing the economic, energy, and environmental impacts of biodiesel versus petroleum diesel fuel use in construction equipment. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 15 (4), 276–290. https://doi.org/10.1080/15578771.2018.1483982 (Crossref)

Liu, P. & Li, Y. (2023). Ecological technology of green building in the initial stage of design based on BIM technology. Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 18 (1), 2170355. https://doi.org/10.1080/17458080.2023.2170355 (Crossref)

Liu, Y. & Zhou, Y. (2021). Territory spatial planning and national governance system in China. Land Use Policy, 102, 105288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105288 (Crossref)

Lucchi, E., Baiani, S. & Altamura, P. (2023). Design criteria for the integration of active solar technologies in the historic built environment: Taxonomy of international recommendations. Energy and Buildings, 278, 112651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112651 (Crossref)

Lyu, H. M., Sun, W. J., Shen, S. L. & Zhou, A. N. (2020). Risk assessment using a new consulting process in fuzzy AHP. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146 (3), 04019112. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001757 (Crossref)

McManus Warnell, J. & Umeda, T. (2019). Perspectives on business ethics in the Japanese tradition: implications for global understanding of the role of business in society. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 8 (1), 25–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13520-019-00087-2 (Crossref)

Maltseva, I. N., Kaganovich, N. N. & Lorentz, T. A. (2018). The integrating of architecture and nature into environmental objects in mountainous terrain. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 365 (2), 022048. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/365/2/022048 (Crossref)

Miatto, A., Schandl, H., Fishman, T. & Tanikawa, H. (2017). Global patterns and trends for non‐metallic minerals used for construction. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21 (4), 924–937. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12471 (Crossref)

Mohammed, M., Shafiq, N., Abdallah, N. A. W., Ayoub, M. & Haruna, A. (2020). A review on achieving sustainable construction waste management through application of 3R (reduction, reuse, recycling): A lifecycle approach. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 476 (1), 012010. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/476/1/012010 (Crossref)

Murray, R. L. (2019). Construction and demolition waste in Western Australia: A case study on best practice demolition (doctoral dissertation). Murdoch University, Perth.

Mutani, G. & Vicentini, G. (2015). Buildings’ energy consumption, energy savings potential and the availability of renewable energy sources in urban spaces. Journal of Architecture and Civil Engineering, 2 (11), 1102–1115.

Mutua, E. & Omori, K. (2018). A Cross-Cultural Approach to Environmental and Peace Work: Wangari Maathai’s Use of Mottainai in Kenya. The Journal of Social Encounters, 2 (1), 22–36.

Ochieng, E. G., Wynn, T. S., Zoufa, T., Ruan, X., Price, A. & Okafor, C. (2014). Integration of sustainability principles into construction project delivery. Architectural Engineering Technology, 3:1. https://doi.org/10.4172/2168-9717.1000116 (Crossref)

Opoku, D. G. J., Agyekum, K. & Ayarkwa, J. (2022). Drivers of environmental sustainability of construction projects: a thematic analysis of verbatim comments from built environment consultants. International Journal of Construction Management, 22 (6), 1033–1041. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1678865 (Crossref)

Pan, Y. & Zhang, L. (2021). Roles of artificial intelligence in construction engineering and management: A critical review and future trends. Automation in Construction, 122, 103517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103517 (Crossref)

Peng, J., Zhao, H. & Liu, Y. (2017). Urban ecological corridors construction: A review. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 37 (1), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2016.12.002 (Crossref)

Petridou, C. (2023, 24 August). Kengo Kuma builds wooden classroom for Okayama University. Retrieved from: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/kengo-kuma-wooden-classroom-okayama-university-eco-friendly-design-potential-08-24-2023 [accessed: 11.12.2023].

Pham, H. & Kim, S. Y. (2019). The effects of sustainable practices and managers’ leadership competences on sustainability performance of construction firms. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 20, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2019.05.003 (Crossref)

Plata, J. A., Elías Orozco, M. & Villaseñor, I. Z. J. (2020). Green infrastructure and social welfare. lessons for sustainable urban development in the metropolitan zone of Leon, Mexico. In Universities and Sustainable Communities: Meeting the Goals of the Agenda 2030 (pp. 71–88). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30306-8_4 (Crossref)

Rahimian, F. P., Seyedzadeh, S., Oliver, S., Rodriguez, S. & Dawood, N. (2020). On-demand monitoring of construction projects through a game-like hybrid application of BIM and machine learning. Automation in Construction, 110, 103012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.103012 (Crossref)

Rashid, K. M. & Louis, J. (2019). Times-series data augmentation and deep learning for construction equipment activity recognition. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 42, 100944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2019.100944 (Crossref)

Rayhan, A. (2023). Living with honor: exploring the ethical values of Japanese society and education. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.19473.81760 [preprint].

Saroop, S. H. & Allopi, D. (2013). Enhancing sustainable infrastructure with the aid of the Green Infrastructure Toolkit. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 173, 467–474. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP130391 (Crossref)

Sato, Y. (2017). Mottainai: a Japanese sense of anima mundi. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 62 (1), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5922.12282 (Crossref)

Shahi, S., Esfahani, M. E., Bachmann, C. & Haas, C. (2020). A definition framework for building adaptation projects. Sustainable Cities and Society, 63, 102345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102345 (Crossref)

Shi, Y. & Liu, X. (2019). Research on the literature of green building based on the Web of Science: A scientometric analysis in CiteSpace (2002–2018). Sustainability, 11 (13), 3716. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133716 (Crossref)

Shurrab, J., Hussain, M. & Khan, M. (2019). Green and sustainable practices in the construction industry: A confirmatory factor analysis approach. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26 (6), 1063–1086. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2018-0056 (Crossref)

Siraj, N. B. & Fayek, A. R. (2019). Risk identification and common risks in construction: Literature review and content analysis. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145 (9), 03119004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001685 (Crossref)

Son, H., Kim, C., Chong, W. K. & Chou, J. S. (2011). Implementing sustainable development in the construction industry: constructors’ perspectives in the US and Korea. Sustainable Development, 19 (5), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.442 (Crossref)

Stephan, A. & Athanassiadis, A. (2018). Towards a more circular construction sector: Estimating and spatialising current and future non-structural material replacement flows to maintain urban building stocks. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 129, 248–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.022 (Crossref)

Subbotin, O. S. (2019). Building materials and technologies of modern housing: architectural and environmental aspects. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 698 (3), 033044. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/698/3/033044 (Crossref)

Suzuki, Y. (2013). An Inquiry into the Mottainai Ethics on Consumption. In Managing turbulence in economic environment through innovative management practices: proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Management and Economics 2013 (pp. 44–51). http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/xmlui/handle/iruor/15097

Syvitski, J., Ángel, J. R., Saito, Y., Overeem, I., Vörösmarty, C. J., Wang, H. & Olago, D. (2022). Earth’s sediment cycle during the Anthropocene. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 3 (3), 179–196. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00253-w (Crossref)

Terzano, K. (2023). Human Dimensions of Civil Engineering: Context and Decision-Making for a Sustainable Future. CRC Press. (Crossref)

Tiwari, G. (1999). Planning for non-motorized traffic – A prerequisite for sustainable transport system. IATSS Research, 23 (2), 70–77.

Tokat, A. & Taş, E. F. (2022). Lean construction and the importance of BIM in lean construction practices. In E. Doğan & F. K. Varolgüneş (Eds), Sustainable Current Approaches in Architectural Science and Technology (pp. 31–66). Lyon: Livre de Lyon.

Udomsap, A. D. & Hallinger, P. (2020). A bibliometric review of research on sustainable construction, 1994–2018. Journal of Cleaner Production, 254, 120073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120073 (Crossref)

Un-Habitat (2015). Planning and Design for Sustainable Urban Mobility: Global Report on Human Settlements 2013. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315857152 (Crossref)

Vaughan, J. & Ostwald, M. J. (2022). Measuring the geometry of nature and architecture: comparing the visual properties of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and its natural setting. Open House International, 47 (1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-01-2021-0011 (Crossref)

Vitková, Ľ. & Lemak, O. (2021). Harmonization of Natural and Urban Structures in The Danube Region. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1203 (3), 032015. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1203/3/032015 (Crossref)

Voskresenskaya, E., Vorona-Slivinskaya, L. & Panov, S. (2018). Legal regulation of environmental protection, management of natural resources, and environmental safety in construction sector. MATEC Web of Conferences, 193, 02025. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819302025 (Crossref)

Wamane, G. V. (2023). A “new deal” for a sustainable future: enhancing circular economy by employing ESG principles and biomimicry for efficiency. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-07-2022-0189 [ahead-of-print]. (Crossref)

Xiang, X. & Li, Q. (2021). Balancing Nature and Civilization: Alternative Sustainability Perspectives from Philosophy to Practice. Journal of Dharma, 46 (3), 393–396. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/4081202

Zavadskas, E. K., Vilutienė, T. & Tamošaitienė, J. (2017). Harmonization of cyclical construction processes: a systematic review. Procedia Engineering, 208, 190–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.11.038 (Crossref)

Zavalani, O. (2011). Reducing energy in buildings by using energy management systems and alternative energy-saving systems. In 2011 8th International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM) (pp. 370–375). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (Crossref)

Statistics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.