For decades, the Malaysian construction and property sector has operated under fragmented, analogue frameworks characterised by linear workflows, on-site design clashes, material inefficiencies and substantial carbon footprints.
Today, the rapid confluence of digital technology, environmental imperatives and demographic change is redefining how spaces are planned, built and managed.
The transformation took centre stage at the 12th Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Youth Arena Convention Malaysia (YACM) 2026.
Hosted at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology with institutional support from Universiti Teknologi Mara, the convention gathered emerging talent, researchers and established corporate leaders around a central theme, “Beyond Reality: Metaverse Revolution”.
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• Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan emphasized moving beyond Level‑2 BIM to a construction metaverse that fuses BIM, VR, AR and real‑time data, creating high‑fidelity digital twins that allow multidisciplinary teams to detect and resolve design issues virtually before ground‑breaking.
• By enabling virtual walk‑throughs and data‑rich simulations, the new ecosystem promises to cut downstream delays, variation orders and contractor disputes, thereby improving project timelines, cost control and balance‑sheet margins for developers.
• The technology also serves as a catalyst for sustainability: immersive modelling supports embodied‑carbon audits, material optimisation and green‑building compliance, helping the industry lower waste, reduce its carbon footprint and nurture a new generation of tech‑savvy, environmentally‑focused professionals.