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Dissertation Can Only Buildings Bring About Sustainable Development Tanay Jaithalia
Dissertation Can Only Buildings Bring About Sustainable Development Tanay Jaithalia
SUBMITTED BY:
TANAY JAITHALIA
0271731605
GUIDE:
VINOD GUPTA
COURSE CO-ORDINATOR:
ASHOK B. LALL
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
This following study is hereby approved as a creditable work on the approved subject, carried out and
presented in a manner sufficiently satisfactory to warrant acceptance as a pre requisite to the degree for
which it has been submitted.
It is understood by this approval that the undersigned does not necessarily endorse or approve any
statement made, opinion expressed or conclusion drawn therein but approves the study only for the
purpose for which it has been submitted and satisfies as per the requirements
requirement laid down by the dissertation
committee.
- HRH The Prince of Wales addressing UN climate conference COP15, Copenhagen (December 2009)
unstable asymmetric demographic and economic growth has forced many segments of society to come
together in facing a critical challenge: How can societies across the world meet their current basic human
needs, aspirations and desires, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs?
The development path that we have been taking, in the past few centuries, has been ultimately detrimental to
the health of our surrounding ecological context. We are consuming an increasing share of the natural
resources
esources available to us on this planet, and we are creating sufficiently large amounts of waste and pollution
.This is a result of a growing population as well as new technologies which make it easier for us to access
result of linear rather than cyclic thinking. The paradigm shift from linear to cyclic thinking in technological
The principal objectives of this paper are to present a brief overview of an overall framework for sustainability
and then to discuss the implications of the building design and construction industries. Strategies,
Achieving true sustainability will require a paradigm shift that brings together sustainable technologies for
built facilities along with lifestyle change which can bring about social change
change through sustainable patterns of
consumption.
i
II ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank all the people who have helped me in the successful completion of my Dissertation. I
Dissertation. I am also grateful to Prof. Ashok B. Lall for helping me to explore a viable topic for my
I would also like to thank all the faculty members for their special interest in my research and valuable
research.
I am deeply indebted to my family for all their love and emotional support that has been a constant driving
ii
CONTENTS
I. ABSTRACT i
II. ACKNOWLEDGMENT ii
III. LIST OF FIGURES v
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. General 1
1.2. Need Identification 3
1.3. Scope 4
1.4. Limitation 4
1.5. Objective 5
1.6. Research Methodology 5
2. THE PROBLEM 6
2.1. General 6
2.2. Main Enviornmental Issues
• Global Warming
• Ozone Depletion
• Pollution
• Deforestation
• Soil Degradation
• Waste.
• Water
• Resources
• Population
3. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 13
3.1. Introduction 14
3.2. Objectives of Sustainable 14
3.3. The New Paradigm: Cyclic Sustainable Development
• Social Sustainability
• Enviornmental Sustainability
• Ecomomic Sustainability
iii
3.5. Population 19
4. ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY 20
4.1. Background 20
4.2. Sustainable Technology 22
4.3. The Current Paradigm: Unsustainable Linear System 23
4.4. Green Buildings - Building Industry Solution to Technology And Efficiency 24
4.5. Green But Not Sustainable 26
6. CONCLUSION 35
IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY vi
iv
III LIST OF FIGURES
iii
p
CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION
Coal and oil paved the way for the developed world’s industrial progress. And now the developing
countries are taking the same path in search of improved living standards that leads us in the grip of a
of greenhouse
enhouse gases in the atmosphere and consequently to environmental degradation.
We don’t just burn carbon in the form of fossil fuels. But, throughout the tropics, valuable forests are being
felled for timber and making paper, for pasture and arable land and, increasingly, for plantations to supply
a growingg demand for biofuels. This further manifestation of our greenhouse gas habit is not only releasing
vast amounts of CO2, infact it is destroying a valuable resource for absorbing atmospheric CO2, further
contributing to climate change leading to threats like Global Warming , Pollution ,Ozone Depletion, Soil
The environmental, economic and political implications of these environmental problems are profound.
Ecosystems – from the mountain to the ocean, from the Poles to the tropics – are undergoing rapid change.
Low-lying
lying cities face inundation, Foreword fertile lands are turning to deserts,
desert , and weather patterns are
Climate change is the defining issue of our era. Hardly a day passes without a newspaper, a broadcast or a
politician making at least one reference to the threats it poses and the urgency of taking action, to limit the
effects and, in the longer term, to adapt to the changes that are sure to come. For climate change, it is upon
us, and the problem is here to stay. But it is still in our control – as individuals and communities, to
influence just how serious the problem will become. We have the choice how to act and make a difference
Although,, there is a huge gulf between where we are now and the climate-neutral
climate neutral future that we need if we
that there are other gains to. It will require patience, persistence and determination, but it can be done.
1
Sustainable development is defined as:
"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising on the ability of
in the present, but also for future generations. This requires meeting four key objectives at the same time
Sustainable development is three dimensional process which caters to economical and social development
along with environmental development. But this development is hindered by the pressure imposed by
destruction and resource depletion are contributing to an environmental crisis which is threatening the
growth and increasing individual consumption (world wildlife federation) 2. This study focuses on how this
In essence, the lesson is simple; reducing the overall impact that people have on the environment can
• Reducing
educing the number of people on the planet ;
• By changing lifestyles.
1
Brundtland,, Our common future , 1987
2
WWF, living planet report, 2008
2
The question of population is clearly critical. We can’t reduce the existing population,
populat but can control its
growth- rate, which is one of the factors that “scales” humanity’s impact on the planet. Empowerment of
women, education and access to voluntary family planning can slow or even reverse population growth-
growth
rate. But, as it is a slow process, it will be less effective through short term planning.
We can improve energy efficiency in industries, buildings and all forms of transport to stabilize
stabi the overall
energy demand and can try to achieve maximum possible gain. But without changing our expectations and
efficiency will lead to higher rate of consumption. In present situation when environmental degradation is
with a lifestyle change which means adopting a greener lifestyle to become carbon neutral and to achieve
“It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist”
– Pierre Teilhard De Chardin
1.2
1.2 NEED IDENTIFICATION
the better off they are deemed to be. This notion along with advancement in technology is leading to more
resource consumption.
With increase in environmental degradation due to higher rate of resource consumption, advancement in
With such a notion, much of burden has been on the Building sector because their construction, use and
disposal, have a significant impact on the Natural environment, which is the social fabric of our society.
This rest on the fact that buildings are responsible for about 40% of the global energy consumption.
consumptio It is
huge number for a single sector and obviously this is where a big difference can be made. (Gupta)
3
But 40% is only a minor ratio of 100% where much greater savings in energy consumption is possible. We
spend, out of 24 hours in a day, about 21 hours in a building, which is 87.5% of the time. Buildings that
account for 87.5% of our time are associated with just 40% of our energy consumption,
consumption while other non
building activities account for 12.5 % of the time, with 60% of energy consumption which includes our
dieting habits, travel, clothing, entertainment and our waste disposal. Now, can
an anyone say that buildings
are more energy – efficient than other places where human beings
being spend time?
a community development.
This study focuses on the idea - what else is required other than buildings that can bring upon sustainable
development.
1.2
1.3 SCOPE
It is intended that this dissertation will provide the brief introduction on the idea of why only buildings
can’t bring about sustainable development and how sustainable lifestyle can cater to the problem of
environmental degradation.
The research pattern will not only provide the idea of how sustainable development can be achieved, but it
So, the study is aimed at an idea that Improvement in building technology is not only the sole idea to
achieve
chieve Sustainable Development. We
W have to change our lifestyle too, to reduce our impact on the
nature.
1.2
1.4 LIMITATION
Neither enough secondary data has been collected, nor has any scientific evaluation been made on the
present day lifestyle choices. Research is based on the readings and data collected through surveys and the
internet.
4
1.2
1.5 OBJECTIVE
• To analyze human activities and examine how lifestyle change can reduce resource consumption.
• To understand how the built environment will help people discard old habits and form healthier,
heal
greener ones.
1.2
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Understanding the role of technology and why it is insufficient. And why the idea of lifestyle change
is discouraged.
• Defining the role of lifestyle changes in achieving sustainable development, with major focus on why
it is required.
• Understanding how built environment can respond to achieve green living concept.
• Concluding, why the built environment is incapable for development and how sustainable lifestyle
5
mCHAPTER-2 THE PROBLEM
Whether we live on the edge of the forest or in the heart of the city, our livelihoods and indeed our lives
depend on the services provided by the Earth’s natural systems. But we are consuming the resources that
causing recession, so reckless consumption and growth in human population is depleting the world’s
Our global footprint now exceeds the world’s capacity to regenerate by about 30 percent3. If our demands
we have seen them in form of various environmental problems. For the first time in recorded history, this
past summer (2008), the Arctic ice cap was surrounded by open water – literally disappearing under the
1.2
2.2 MAIN ENVIORNMENTAL ISSUES
3
WWF, living planet report, 2008
6
OZONE DEPLETION Ozone layer shields the Earth from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
radiation but its
POLLUTION of air, water and land, resulting from burning of fossil fuels, industrial
industrial processes, agriculture,
and other human activities, is endangering human health, biodiversity and the built environment.
DEFORESTATION due to commercial logging, conversion of forest land for agricultural purposes, and
other activities cause the destruction of natural habitats and extinction of plant and animal species, and
SOIL DEGRADATION due to Urbanization,, construction, mining, war, agriculture and deforestation
can diminish crop yields, increase the risk of flooding and destroy natural habitats.
WASTE Increasing amounts of waste add pressure for more landfill sites, which pollute air, soil and
groundwater and for more incineration, which pollutes the air and produces toxic residue.
WATER one third of the world population is still without access to safe
safe water and, as the global population
grows, the need for water will grow along with waste and pollution which will increasingly threaten the
eventually be Depleted.. The economically viable extraction of some abundant mineral ores may also be
7
1.2
2.3 CLIMATE CHANGE
According to the latest scientific assessment, the earth’s climate system has demonstrably changed
c on both
global and regional scales since the preindustrial era. Further evidence shows that most of the warming (of
0.1°C per decade) observed over the last 50 years, is attributable to human activities5.
increase between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius (C) by 2100. This unprecedented increase is expected to have
severe impacts on the global hydrological system, ecosystems, sea level, crop production and related
processes.
ocesses. The impact would be particularly severe in the tropical areas, which mainly consist of
We have only one planet. Its capacity to support a thriving diversity of species, including humans, is large
but fundamentally
entally limited. When human demand on this capacity exceeds what is available – when we
surpass ecological limits – we erode the health of the Earth’s living systems. Ultimately, this loss threatens
human well-being.
4
Wikipedia ,Climate change
5
Geneva, Climate change – synthesis report,2001
8
.
Figure 3 - Climate change : Global processes and effects
9
1.2
2.4 CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The Living Planet Index reflects the state of the planet’s ecosystems while the Ecological Footprint shows
the extent and type of human demand being placed on these systems.
Humanity’s demand on the planet’s living resources, Figure 4 Lining Planet Index, 1720-2005
1720
5).
). This global overshoot is growing and, as a
All human demands on the biosphere the production and consumption of natural resources for food and
drink, energy or materials, and the disposal of associated waste products or the displacement of natural
10
Figure 6 World Greenhouse gas emissions by sector
Humanity’s demand on the planet has more than doubled over the past 45 years as a result of population
growth and increasing individual consumption. If we continue as usual, by the early 2030s we will need
nets to keep up with humanity’s demand for various goods and services6 . The Ecological Footprint
two planets
representing
enting human demand on nature and the Living Planet Index measuring nature’s overall health serve
challenge, much of what needs to be done is already known, and solutions are available today. If humanity
has the will, it has the way to live within the means of the planet, while securing human well-being
well and the
11
.22.5 ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM
“If
If not earth than where, If not now than when, If not us than who.”
who.
Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production is a primary cause of climate change and lead to
depletion. Hence, promoting sustainable consumption and production is one of the key responses to protect
We need to cut down our Green house gas (GHG) emission which are the primary cause of climate change
Reducing our GHG emissions means attempting climate change mitigation, trying to reduce the impact we
must expect. This will include new policies, innovative technologies and a change in lifestyle for all of us,
all of which will certainly come at a price. We also need to go flat out at the same time on a quite different
strategy, climate adaptation, preparing to cope with the inevitable changes ahead (inevitable because of the
inertia locked up in the atmosphere and the oceans: much of the warming we are experiencing today was
activities.
Figure 7 - Cartoon on Carbon Emission
12
CHAPTER-3 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
while maintaining the quality of the natural environment indefinitely. The term was used by the Brundtland
‘Development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
The concept of sustainable development is concerned both with the quality and the quantity of economic
growth and encompasses three dimensions of welfare (Mawhinney)8 — economic, environmental and
social. It refers first to “needs” in a broad sense, not only economic needs but also needs for a clean
environment, for a secure and cohesive society. Second, explicit in the concept
oncept is a focus on “inter-
generational” equity,, implying that the next generation should be secured opportunities similar
sim to those
Third, it puts an emphasis on “social equity”, between all people around the world living today, and also
equity between people living today and people living in the future.
compromising
mising the ability of present and future generations to meet
their needs, so that all three - the economy, the environment, and the
7
Brundtland,, Our common future , 1987
8
Giovannini, Measuring Sustainable development
9
Mawhinney, Sustainable
le development – understanding the green debate
13
1.2
3.2 OBJECTIVES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to
come. This requires meeting four key objectives at the same time in the world as a whole:
• Effective
ective protection of the environment
Sustainable development is three dimensional process which caters to economical and social development
along with environmental development. But this development is hindered by the pressure imposed by
1.2
3.3 THE NEW PARADIGM: CYCLIC SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development offers a new way of thinking which reconciles the ubiquitous human drive to
improve our quality of life with the limitations imposed on us by our global context. Sustainability is a
state, it requires decision makers to be flexible and willing to modify their approaches according to changes
in the environment, human needs and desires, or technological advances. This means that actions that
contribute to sustainability today, either in perception or in reality, may be deemed detrimental tomorrow if
14
ENVIRONMENT
Renewable Resources
Non-Renewable
Resources
Biodiversity
Assimilative Capacity
Ecosystem Resilence
SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
Needs
Goods and Services
Preferences
Efficiency
Culture
Resource
Population
Allocation Figure 9 - Cyclic Sustainable Development
Politics
Consumption
Equity
The next three sections discuss the social, environmental and economic issues which are essential to
sustainability.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is inherently anthropocentric, since it is the welfare of humans with which we are concerned.
There are many socio-cultural issues which influence sustainability. The most prominent issue is inter-
inter
generational equity, in which we must insure that we leave our progeny with the tools and resources they
need to survive and enjoy life. As an African proverb says, “We do not own the earth; we are just taking
care of our grandchildren’s inheritance.” Other issues in this realm are: environmental justice, population
with our quality of life and should not be ignored in favor of the more easily measurable economic
ENVIRONMENTAL
VIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The natural environment is the physical context within which we live. Sustainability requires that we
Recognize the limits of our environment. There are limits to the quantities of natural resources that exist on
the planet. Some of these resources, such as trees and wildlife, are
ar renewable so long as we leave enough
intact to regenerate. Other resources, such as minerals, are renewed at such slow rates that any use
whatsoever depletes the total stock. We need to minimize our consumption of all resources, renewable and
depletable.
15
Another key environmental issue is to minimize our impact on global ecosystems: the earth is like an
organism and we must maintain it in a healthy state. Natural ecosystems can survive some impacts, but
these must be small enough so that the earth can recover. Protecting ecosystem health may involve the
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Economics is important to sustainability because of its broader meaning as a social science that explains
the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The exchange of goods and services
Has a significant impact on the environment, since the environment serves as the ultimate source of raw
material
al inputs and the repository for discarded goods.
Economic gain has been the driver for much of the unsustainable development that has occurred in the
past. A shift to sustainability will only occur if it is shown not to be excessively costly and
disadvantageous.
1.2
3.4 STRATERGIES
GIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The impact of human society on the environment is determined by number of people on the planet and the
straightforward. In essence, the lesson is simple; reducing the overall impact that people have on the
• THINKING LONG-TERM – Climate change is a uniquely long-range problem; its effects appear gradual on
a human time scale, and the worst effects will likely be visited on our future generation.
generation To solve this
problem, we must embrace the future as our responsibility and consider the impact
impac of today’s decisions on
future generations. Just as Egyptians built pyramids to last millennia, we need to start acting as if the future
10
The worldwatch institute, State of the world , 2009
16
• INNOVATION - The world needs to develop and disseminate technologies that maximize the production
other low-emission
emission technologies are deployed in all countries regardless of ability to pay the costs. We
the atmosphere
phere of greenhouse gases.
• POPULATION - It is essential to reopen the global dialogue on human population and promote policies
and programs that can help slow and eventually reverse its growth by making sure that all women are able
to decide for themselves whether and when to have children. A comprehensive climate agreement would
acknowledge both the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and the long-term
long contribution,
which slower growth and a smaller world population can play in reducing
ducing future emissions under an
equitable climate framework. And it should renew the commitment that the world’s nations made in 1994
to address population not by pressuring parents to have fewer or more children than they want but by
• CHANGING LIFESTYLES - The world’s climate cannot be saved by technology alone. The way we live
States, the inexorable increase in the size of homes and vehicles that has marked the past few decades has
been a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions and the main reason that U.S. emission are double those
consumption, easy and cheap world travel, meat with every meal, disposable everything—are not
17
• HEALING LAND - We need to reverse the flow of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from
destroyed or degraded forests and land. Soil and vegetation can serve as powerful net removers of the
atmosphere’s carbon and greenhouse gases. Under the right management, soil alone could absorb each year
• THE SOCIAL EQUITY IMPERATIVE - A climate agreement that can endure and succeed will find
mechanisms for sharing the burden of costs and potential discomforts. Per capita fossil fuel CO2 emissions
in the developed countries are almost five times those in developing countries and more than 20 times the
levels in most of undeveloped countries. An effective climate agreement will acknowledge the past co-
optation of Earth’s greenhouse- gas absorbing capacity by the wealthiest and most industrialized countries
and the corresponding need to reserve most of what little absorbing capacity is left for countries in
development. Most people live in such countries, and they bear little responsibility for causing this
problem—though it is worth recalling that small but growing shares of their populations already have large
carbon footprints.
hard economic times add to its burdens the costs of switching from fossil to renewable fuels or managing
precious land for carbon sequestration? Any climate agreement built on an assumption of global prosperity
is doomed to failure. And as growing and increasingly affluent populations demand more of the resources
of a finite planet,, we may have to balance the future of climate against present realities of hunger, poverty,
and disease. A robust international climate regime will need to design mechanisms that will operate
consistently in anemic as well as booming economic times. And a strong pact will be built on principles
and innovations that acknowledge and accommodate the problem of cost— while building in monitoring
techniques to ensure that efficiency is not achieved at the expensive of effective and enduring emission
18
• POLITICAL STABILITY - A world distracted by major wars or outbreaks of terrorism will not be able to
stay focused on the more distant future. And just such a focus is needed to prevent future changes in
diminish insecurity caused or exacerbated by climate change. But unless nations can find ways to defuse
violent conflict and minimize the chance that terrorism will distract and disrupt societies, climate change
prevention and adaptation (along with development itself) will take a back seat. On the bright side,
negotiating an effective climate agreement offers countries an opportunity, if they will only seize it, to
practice peace, to look beyond the narrowness of the interests within their borders at their dependence on
the rest of the world, to see humanity as a single vulnerable species rather than a collection of nations
From various strategies towards sustainable development following are the three major issues, which can
help to achieve the idea in large context along with larger gain;
• Changing lifestyles
1.2
3.5 POPULATION
A nation’s total Ecological Footprint is determined by its population, and by its residents’ average
footprint. The latter is a function both of the quantity of goods and services the average resident consumes,
and the resources used or waste generated in providing those goods and services. On a global scale, both
population and the average footprint have increased since 1961 Consumption is directly proportional to
population and increase in consumption will lead to green house gases emission which further leads to
19
Since 1987 the Earth’s population has grown by almost 30 per cent, and global economic output has risen
by 76 per cent. Average per capita gross national income has almost doubled. And just about everything
needs energy to be produced. The global primary energy supply (80 per cent of it supplied by fossil fuels)
increased by 4 per cent annually from 1987 to 2004.11 Demand for energy is predicted to continue to grow
growth.
impact on the planet. We can’t cut existing population but can control the growth. Rapid population growth
greater
er education and economic opportunities, and improving access to voluntary family planning
counseling and services for women who want to delay, space or limit births. Promoting good governance,
slow process and will have less impact in the short term. Also the reduction in carbon emission will be
effective in upcoming years and the problem encountered in present day will be the same. So this idea can
“Having
Having one less child is the biggest contribution
11
UNEP, Kick the habit
20
CHAPTER-4 ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
Technology plays a very important role in sustainable development because it is one of the most significant
ways in which we interact with our environment; we use technologies to extract natural resources, to modify
them for human purposes, and to adapt our man-made living space. Technology is understood to mediate
between resources and our goals and objectives. This lead to focus on energy and material
aterial efficiency. There is
no doubt that more efficient technology will make an important contribution to the sustainable development,
Though efficiency will lead to lesser use of resources but it would be expansive and cannot be afford by
networks support this kind of innovation. No, certainly not this is the problem mostly faced by developing
countries. This is a case for high end innovation but problem do exist, advancement in technology leads to
rebound effect. for example , in Indian villages where there was no electricity government provided solar
lantern to minimize the use of kerosene oil , but this step towards less consumption of resources proved
was cheaper and available. Improving quality of technology doesn’t qualify in economy of transition but
the quality of life of many people. Unfortunately, many of these short term
21
1.2
4.2 SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY
A sustainable technology is one that promotes a societal move toward sustainability, a technology that fits
well with the goals of sustainable development. Sustainable technologies are practical solutions to achieve
economic development and human satisfaction in harmony with the environment. These technologies serve to
contribute, support or advance sustainable development by reducing risk, enhancing cost effectiveness,
To qualify as sustainable technologies, the solutions must have the following characteristics, in addition to
Minimizing Consumption - The use of nonrenewable energy and natural resources should be minimized
because consumption of resources inherently involves increasing the disorder of materials and energy,
rendering them of lower utility for future use. By subjecting materials and energy
gy to consumption processes
we decrease their potential utility to current and future generations. Therefore, consuming as little matter and
Maintaining Human Satisfaction - A sustainable technology must fulfill the needs of the population it is
intended to serve. In fulfilling those needs the technology must account for human preferences and cultural
compromise will have to be worked out. This is does not mean that human preferences should be ignored;
fulfillment of our desires means the difference between surviving and living.
22
Minimizing Negative Environmental
Environme Impacts - Finally, causing minimal negative environmental
impacts (as well as maximizing positive impacts) is an important objective of sustainability since the
environment consists of ecosystems whose ongoing health is essential for human survival on earth.
Sustainability of the human race requires that ecosystems be protected and preserved in a reasonable state of
In order to understand the changes that need to be made to develop sustainable technologies it is useful to look
at the paradigm which is currently being employed. Despite a wide range of positions and opinions on the
disregards constraints to material or energy consumption, is unsustainable. In Figure 12, a model of the
unsustainable linear development approach is shown which has prevailed over the last few centuries. In this
model, several systems are linked in a linear process that begins with both renewable and non-renewable
non
23
In this model (D.V.Roberts) 12, exploitation and use of primary natural resources occurs to provide inputs for
industrial processes (Subsystem 1). The outputs of this system become the principal inputs for two other
systems: the production and use of energy (Subsystem 2), whose output is a critical input to all the systems in
the linear process; and resource processing and manufacturing (Subsystem 3), whose output is a set of
industry-specific
specific products or services that are transported and commercialized withinn Subsystem 4.
The linear process ends with the use and consumption (Subsystem 5) of the products or services generated by
the industrial system across all segments of society. This process has two additional outputs from each of its
systems, which are at the core of many problems facing the world today: increasing amounts of hazardous and
The process is linear because inputs enter at Subsystem 1 and move in one direction through the system
syste to
Subsystem 5 and then are disposed, going through the system only once with no cycling of materials. To
aggravate the situation even more, this linear process is fueled by continuous increases in the demand for, use,
And for continued expansion of energy production, resource processing, and manufacturing capabilities. This
Natural
atural resource depletion, Accumulation of waste, and Environmental
nvironmental degradation.
1.2
4.4 GREEN BUILDINGS - Building industry solution to technology and efficiency
Green Building is the practice of increasing the efficiency while ensuring healthy indoor environment for the
buildings by minimizing their use of power, water, and materials, thus reducing building impact on the
operation, maintenance, and dismantling - the complete building life cycle .The
The related concepts of sustainable
12
WESPD Report
24
Effective green building can lead to:
to
1. Reduced operating costs by increasing productivity and using less energy and water,
2. improved public and occupant health due to improved indoor air quality, and
Practitioners of green building often seek to achieve not only ecological but aesthetic harmony between a
structure and its surrounding natural and built environment. The sustainable buildings are also
environmentally friendly in the fact that they are built out of materials that are good for the environment.
envi The
appearance and style of sustainable homes and buildings can be nearly indistinguishable from their less
sustainable counterparts.
Sustainability or 'Green Architecture' can be interpreted in many different ways. What is desirable for one
country
try may be in excess for another, and vice versa. Its meanings and understanding will vary according to
its context. India has suffered considerably during the past century by adopting directions appropriate for
through the sieve of what we refer to as 'Green Architecture'. For the Indian context, we believe we should
• Ensuring that what is sustainable today remains that way in decades to come;
• Ensuring that sustainability is not only in parts but also that way holistically;
• Assessing all new technologies for their long term impact in the context of India & its development
develop
25
• Being aware of the embodied energies of the materials, before we specify them;
• Taking the decision making processes to measurable levels, in order to make our choices judiciously;
• Addressing all the above issues through the sieve of value engineering, for the specific context of the
built environment;
15
4.5 GREEN BUT NOT SUSTAINABLE
Green buildings seem to have become synonymous with sustainable design although there is evidence
available to suggest that green buildings are no more sustainable than other buildings. The case of making
consumption. It is huge number for one single sector and obviously this is where a big difference can be made.
A typical office worker in a large city in India spends about an hour each way for commuting to work and
another hour for outdoor recreational activities every day. The rest of the time is spent in a building, thus, out
of 24 hours in a day, an office worker spends about 21 hours in buildings. Housewives and non working or
studying population spend about 33 hours in buildings. Buildings that account for 87.5% of our time are
associated with only 40% of our energy consumption while other non building activities account for 12.5% of
the time but 60 % of energy consumption. Can one say, therefore, that buildings are more energy – efficient
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Time Spent Energy consumption
Building related
within building activities
Figure 14 - Relation between Time spent Figure 13 - Relation between Energy Consumption
The point is that the focus on energy consumption in buildings is a red herring. It is not buildings per se that
consume energy. It is human activity. Energy consumed within the building and the energy used for making
buildingss in the first place is part of the energy used for different types of human activity. Buildings are not
independent energy users. The part of the activity that takes place within the building uses energy and often
be done so solve these problems? Only small improvements in efficiency would result from
fro the building
the system for bringing goods , services and people to the buildings .supply
.supply of energy, water,
water food and other
goods, transportation for people , disposal of waste etc. are all needed for building to function properly .
Obviously these services require energy and material expanses. Making an efficient building in wilderness
where the occupant needs to travel long distance by personal motorized transport doesn’t make sense when
the efficiency of overall system is examined. The way to reduce energy expense and resource consumption in
human habitat is not by focusing on energy intensity and efficiency of the buildings but of
o human activity.
Another solution is build less, or built only as much required. For this the tool we use to define efficiency are
important. The green building movement (LEED, AIA) typically measures resource efficiency per unit of
built area. How many units of area the individual requires is never an issue.
sustainable lifestyle has to deal with the overall context and not just buildings.
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CHAPTER-5 WHAT DO WE HAVE AS SOLUTION?
The evolution of civilization is under way. The people of this planet are opening to change. Most of us now
know that the disastrous consequences of our lifestyles are accelerating. The time has come to take the
technology, since buildings and technology represent only half of the problem and half of the solution, clearly
the present green building movement doesn't go far enough. But we now recognize that half or more of all
resource impacts arise from everyday behavior and habits. Our lifestyles must evolve. We have long held by
the notion that technology and efficiency will solve the problem of environmental degradation. But we now
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5.2 GREY TO GREEN
We are responsible for the choices we make. At least half of human impact on the planet comes from our
lifestyles - the choices we make every day. Where, and how, we travel. What we eat. What we wear. The stuff
to sustainable green lifestyle to lower our impact on environment and go carbon neutral in an equitable
manner.
What, exactly, does green or sustainable living mean? Different people use different
different definitions, but it all
comes down to one fundamental concept: The Earth’s resources shouldn’t be depleted faster than they can be
replenished. From that concept comes everything else, including caring for the environment, animals and
look at all the different kinds of resources — from fossil fuels to forests, agricultural land to wildlife, and the
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The concept of sustainable living as being a lot like our family budget. If we spend more than we make each
month and neglect our bills as a result, the bill collector’s start calling, and if we keep going down the same
path, we end up owing so much that we can’t possibly pay it back. On the other hand, if we are careful with
our monthly expenses (maybe even saving a little), we will able to live within
within our means and keep everyone
happy.. The planet’s no different. Right now, its resources are being depleted far faster than they can be
replenished. The call of the bill collectors is getting louder all the time, with the clear implication that
bankruptcy’s down the road if something doesn’t change. Fossil fuels such as oil are becoming more difficult
and more expensive to bring out of the ground, and their reserves are dwindling. Burning fossil fuels to
provide energy for homes, vehicles, and industries emits carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases along
Sustainable lifestyle is a way of living and working that is compatible with the planet’s natural limits. It is
about not using our fair share of the earth resources, or taking more than the planet’s ecosystem can naturally
replace. It is about ensuring that bountiful wealth provided by nature can be enjoyed by every living thing –
you use from choosing goods with less packaging to turning down your home’s Ac a few degrees in
their entire life cycles from manufacture to disposal helps you to make the greenest choices possible.
You not only protect the environment but also protect the people involved in the manufacturing
process.
• Opt for renewable resources - Replacing your use of nonrenewable resources (such as energy
based on fossil fuels) with renewable resources (such as solar or wind energy) is a very powerful
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WWF, One Planet Living
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• Repair when needed - There are plenty of ways that you can help to fix the damage that’s already
1.2
5.3 SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES
MINIMIZING CONSUMPTION
Consumption of natural resources is at the heart of sustainability. With its large scale use of material and
energy and displacement of natural ecosystems, the built environment greatly influences the sustainability of
human systems as well as the natural ecosystems of which we are a part. Minimizing consumption of matter
and energy is essential to achieve sustainability in creating, operating, and decommissioning built facilities.
Improving Technological Efficiency: Doing more with less - One strategy for minimizing
consumption in creating the built environment is improving the technological efficiency of our materials and
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processes. For materials, we need to improve the efficiency with which they meet the needs for which they are
used. With respect to processes, technological efficiency means reducing the amounts of input matter and
Reuse, Rehabilitation, and Retrofitting - Reusing buildings, materials and equipment is a second
strategy for making design and construction more sustainable. By reusing what already exists we save the
cost, material, and energy input which would be required to create new facilities “from scratch.” By using
techniques such as adaptive reuse, rehabilitation, or retrofitting, old facilities can be modified or improved to
meet new use criteria, at a much lower consumptive cost than building a new facility.
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Creating New Technologies - Many opportunities exist
st to increase the sustainability of human activity
by creating new technologies. Consumption of matter and energy can be reduced by developing new
technologies which do not rely on traditional types or amounts of materials and energy to meet human needs.
Photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity from solar radiation, are one example of such a technology.
Instead of using finite reserves of coal or oil to make the electricity used by humans, PV panels use the
natural ecosystems: what sources of energy and matter are used by these systems? Particularly promising
chnologies - Technologies have been used over the course of human history to
Modifying Historical Technologies
meet the needs of people. Many of these technologies have been forgotten or abandoned as new technologies
were developed to replace them. While most of these technologies may appear to be obsolete, some may
Reshaping Human Desires - A more fundamental strategy for minimizing consumption is to attempt to
greatly adaptable, other human wants are often significantly responsive to external influences. The obvious
architectural trends in built facilities from decade to decade are an example of how designers can influence
consumer demand and thus the consumption of matter and energy. Other mechanisms for changing human
consumptive patterns are education and awareness. If people are aware of the impacts of their choices on the
ecosystems of which they are a part, they may make more enlightened choices.
requirements.
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Improving Economic Viability. In today’s world, economic viability is an important consideration for any
building project. Indeed, a facility design which is sustainable but too expensive to construct has little value in
and of itself. Thus, increasing cost effectiveness of facilities is a critical strategy for creating sustainable built
facilities. Economic viability often follows from achieving the objectives of minimizing cost and negative
environmental impacts, since less consumption means less cost, and reduced environmental impact means
human satisfaction criteria, the first step must be to identify the needs of the people who will use the facility.
These needs shape the basic functional requirements of the facility, and must be met in order for the facility to
be considered sustainable. Opportunities exist in the area of systematic human needs assessment, and adapting
must be met by the facility, designers and constructors must also strive to include factors which create a
the tasks and activities which occur within the facility. Besides the requirements for creating a healthy indoor
Consideration of the interfaces between the built environment and the natural environment. Non-toxic
materials and processes are essential technologies for achieving sustainability throughout the facility life
cycle.
Empowering People to Meet their Own Needs. A final strategy for satisfying human needs in the built
environment is empowerment. By including users in decision making for the planning and design of facilities,
the final facility will be more likely to meet the needs of those users. Allowing user participation
parti at all phases
of the facility life cycle creates awareness among the users of the interfaces of the facility with its
environmental context, and a respect for the flows of energy and material through the built system over time.
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AVOIDING NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Built facilities impact the natural environment in many ways over their entire life cycles. Four categories of
impacts which built facilities have on the earth’s ecological systems and resources:
• Impacts resulting by human use of the built environment, and the tendency for that use to spur further
the facility
• Generation of large amounts of waste output over the whole life cycle of the facility, which is
the environment as a whole. The following strategies are examples of approaches which can be taken to
Recovering Waste: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Various approaches exist to help recover waste from
building construction and operation processes. Pollution prevention, for example, is a strategy which
advocates anticipating and eliminating pollution before it is produced. Material recycling is used in
prefabrication processes, where careful planning can eliminate waste or enable it to be directly recycled back
recycling is also becoming increasingly popular, as disposal options become more expensive.
Reusing Existing Development. Another way of minimizing impacts on the natural environment is by
similar or adaptive uses, as well as using retrofitted existing sites rather than Greenfield sites for new
reusing existing sites and/or facilities, we save costs and avoid negative impacts by
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Integrating the Built Environment into Ecological Systems. Sustainability must occur within the
context of natural ecological systems, since it is these systems which provide the resources for all human
activity. The built environment can be integrated into the natural environmental context of its site and
bioregion by designing material and energy flows into and out of the built system to fit within the yield and
assimilative capacities of that context. Integration of built systems into the surrounding ecological context can
be mutually beneficial to humans and nature, provided that humans do not exceed the assimilative capacity of
natural systems.
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AsanI
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dual
AsaSoc
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CHAPTER-6 CONCLUSION
The current state of our planet is really very bad and the pressures imposed by human activities
activit on the
human themselves .
It is not only the nature of human activities that threatens the Environment,
nvironment, but also their increasing
urgently require resources to fulfill their basic needs, while several billions more are rapidly increasing their
Population Growth
rowth and the raising of low Living Standards
tandards will require more resources, which will produce
more waste and thus increase the impact on the Natural Environment. The Principles of Sustainability aim to
address the problems of Environmental Degradation, Lack of Human Equality and Quality of Life, by
supporting development that is sustainable in economic and social terms and is capable of retaining the
But achieving Sustainable Development in the present day scenario is very difficult, of all various strategies.
Solutions like Long Term Thinking and Controlling the Growth of Population, to minimize the rate of
consumption are viable because they describe the idea of achieving a development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising to the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. But this process is
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Improvement of Technology is the present day solution
soluti for sustainability and it has brought mixed results in
growth of nations has almost doubled. But this increase in the availability of disposable income has brought
up the rate of consumption, which is further leading to environmental degradation and waste accumulation.
This linear system of development has also created three serious problems: natural resource depletion,
accumulation of waste and environmental degradation. Also, Improvement of technology doesn’t qualify in
economy of transition because here the idea of sustainability keeps changing with change in human needs and
desires.
In case of Building Industry, the advancement in building technology alone cannot bring about sustainability
because buildings are a part of larger system and in order to function properly, they depend on that system for
bringing goods, services and people to the buildings. Also building construction and management consume
less amount of energy in lieu of energy consumed by the people inhabiting them.
So, to achieve sustainable development we have to first achieve the goal of “One
One Planet Living”
Living through
the medium of Sustainable Technologies which minimize the use of resources and satisfy human needs
“We
We are standing at the verge of total destruction, but to remain safe, wee have to define what is
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IV BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Nimish Patel, Parul Zaveri. "Abhikram Living." green by design April 2009.
• http://www.inhabitat.com/architecture/
• http://www.thesustainablevillage.com/
• http://www.Googlebooks.com/
.com/
• http://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/all_publications/living_planet_report/
vi