Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 9.3
Five principles of sustainable housing
Improve thermal efficiency to a point where homes can
achieve zero carbon energy usage
1
Reduce mains water consumption by collecting rainwater and
recycling grey water
2
3
Maximise the use of local, reclaimed and recycled materials
Promote public transport and car pools to create a lifestyle that
is less car dependent
4
Design into the estate services to enable on site composting,
home delivery of grocery and recycling
5
Source:
Adapted from Desai and Riddlestone (2002: 20)
could become less dependent on fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
An authoritative survey of the literature (combining more than 80 national and
regional studies) indicated that there is a potential to reduce global carbon dioxide
emissions by approximately 29 per cent by 2020 in the residential and commercial
sectors (Urge-Vorsatz et al. 2007: 388). These calculations were drawn upon by
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its fourth assessment
report, where it concluded that the biggest potential saving in any sector (including
transport) related to energy generated for use in buildings.
This discussion suggests that firms specialising in house building (or other
structures) could benefit by differentiating their product in several ways and by
demonstrating a greater awareness of the techniques and specifications that support
sustainable construction. In this way, they could win business in the marketplace
by beating their rivals at a new game. As the sources behind the IPCC report made
clear, achieving a low carbon future is dependent on new programmes and policies
for energy efficiency in buildings that go well beyond what is happening today
(Urge-Vorsatz et al. 2007: 395).
INFRASTRUCTURE
Some economists claim that current global investment in infrastructure projects
represents a 'drop in the ocean' compared to the massive worldwide need
particularly in the developing world, which is estimated in trillions of dollars
(Miller 2011: 72). In the UK the infrastructure sector represents, in value terms,
approximately 25 per cent of construction output each year. It encompasses
the construction and maintenance of roads, railways, airports, tunnels, bridges,
telecommunications networks, power stations, coast and river works, and water
supply and wastewater treatment facilities.
In a developing country investment in infrastructure is essential as it is positively
and significantly correlated with economic growth. In crude terms infrastructure
provides the 'wheels' of economic activity as telecommunications, power, water, and
transport are key parts of the production process in nearly every economic sector.
It is not only the quantity of infrastructure that is important, but also the quality
of the service it provides. So the maintenance of infrastructure is equally vital, as
