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Book part
Publication date: 13 September 2018

Sen Peng, Huiping Cui and Min Ji

The new campus of Tianjin University was designed, built and now operates following a green and sustainable concept. The campus’ eco-friendly water environment was formed by…

Abstract

The new campus of Tianjin University was designed, built and now operates following a green and sustainable concept. The campus’ eco-friendly water environment was formed by establishing a water recycling system. The campus is divided into three drainage sections based on the masterplan. Each drainage section adopts different methods of collecting, utilizing and discharging water according to specific conditions, aimed at achieving both high drainage capability and the efficient utilisation of rainwater. The campus was designed so runoff pollution is reduced through the utilisation of low-impact development methods, ensuring the quality of the recharge water. Through studying the fundamentals of treatment measures and models for simulating water quality, water circulation, constructed wetlands and pollution control of rain runoff, parameters for efficient water recycling could be mathematically forecast, ensuring that stakeholders can be continuously engaged in improving and preserving the water quality of landscaped water on campus. The overall system integrates a variety of measures being implemented into one cohesive entity, which contributes to establishing the sustainable and healthy water cycling system of the green campus.

Details

Unmaking Waste in Production and Consumption: Towards the Circular Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-620-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2012

Alan Fewkes

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the technology, design and application of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in a UK context and identify areas of research and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the technology, design and application of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in a UK context and identify areas of research and development.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive range of literature from 1978‐2010 is reviewed and divided into the following sections: history, application in developed countries, benefits of RWH, system categories and components, storage capacity, rainwater quality and factors influencing the use of RWH systems.

Findings

This paper provides a useful source of information relating to the potential benefits of RWH systems, different types of system and components used to supply non potable water. To ensure the potential of RWH systems in the UK is realized, an integrated approach to their application is required. This may improve the financial viability of these systems and sustainability credentials but requires further research.

Research limitations/implications

It is not an exhaustive list of publications but attempts to draw on major sources of literature which catalogue the development and design of RWH systems. Current sources of literature are also identified which identify various factors influencing the future development and application of rainwater systems.

Practical implications

The paper provides practitioners with an initial basis for evaluating or undertaking the initial design of RWH systems.

Originality/value

The study provides historical context for the recent and ongoing development of RWH. In particular areas of further research and development are identified to ensure the potential of RWH systems are realized in the future.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 April 2018

José Arturo Gleason Espíndola, Fernando Cordova and Cesar Casiano Flores

This paper aims to associate two fields of research: circular economy and the restoration of water cycle through the implementation of rainwater catchment systems in urban zones.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to associate two fields of research: circular economy and the restoration of water cycle through the implementation of rainwater catchment systems in urban zones.

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers the case of the metropolitan zone of Guadalajara, México. This urban concentration is the second largest in Mexico. It faces floods each year with a cost of over US$26m, while demand of water has a production cost over US$24m. At the same time, the aquifers are drying due to uncontrolled urbanization and increasing the impervious area over the recharge zones. In addition, rainwater is combined with wastewater, elevating the cost of the wastewater treatment because the amount and quality of water to treat exceeds the systems’ capacity. This situation causes floods and decreases the availability of ground water. These problems are reflected in the imbalance of parameters of water cycle and a new approach is needed. The circular economy model can help to preserve one of our most vital resources. Scarcity is already so pronounced that we cannot reach many of our desired economic, social and environmental goals. Technologies that help balance supply and demand can also help water (both stock and flow) to become part of a circular model. To prove this, the authors present a hypothetical scenario based on a pilot project and a basin modeling of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Findings

Through this paper, it is possible to demonstrate that rainwater harvesting can play an important role in circular economy. Using the rainwater catchment systems, the cost of damages caused by floods could be decreased, the demand of water could be reduced, cost of production can be reduced, the aquifers can be recharged and the wastewater treatments can be improved.

Originality/value

Few papers have been developed to associate two fields of research (circular economy and the restoration of water cycle), using rainwater catchment systems as the central element.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2016

Tao Zhang, Wanmin Zhao and Dongjun Tong

Flood season in our country is characterized by frequent heavy rains, and flood problems are becoming increasingly serious. The uneven distribution of water resources causes…

Abstract

Flood season in our country is characterized by frequent heavy rains, and flood problems are becoming increasingly serious. The uneven distribution of water resources causes conflicts in the occurrence of floods and droughts. Implementing effective flood control planning and solving drought and flood disasters are the research highlights of relevant institutions both domestic and abroad. This study develops a multiscale method of urban flood control planning based on microcirculation. A microcirculation water ecosystem, which consists of six elements, namely, collecting, interacting, precipitating, reserving, storing, and purifying, is introduced. This study investigates precipitation; peak shaving; recycle mode of filtration at the macro level in different regions; “hierarchy” in rainwater ecosystems in rain parks, heavy rain garden parks, and wetland parks at the meso level; and the concept of zero-emission rain in residential areas and roads at the micro level. Finally, this study analyzes a rain garden and its domestic application. A conclusion is drawn that the flood control planning model based on microcirculation can effectively reduce rain runoff. Empirical measurement proves that the proposed multiscale model for city flood control planning based on microcirculation promotes flood control and effectively reduces the occurrence of droughts and floods.

Details

Open House International, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 13 September 2018

Abstract

Details

Unmaking Waste in Production and Consumption: Towards the Circular Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-620-4

Book part
Publication date: 13 August 2014

Umma Habiba and Rajib Shaw

Of all the natural disasters, drought is the most gradual and the most hard to predict. However, this insidious disaster continually affects the lives and livelihoods of farmers…

Abstract

Of all the natural disasters, drought is the most gradual and the most hard to predict. However, this insidious disaster continually affects the lives and livelihoods of farmers living in drought-affected areas. The northwestern part of Bangladesh is recognized as being more severely affected by drought than the rest of the country, as drought is a recurring event in this area. It has substantial impacts on agriculture and causes great suffering for farmers – in particular, poor and small farmers, who are more vulnerable to drought. Therefore, this study tries to illustrate farmers’ existing coping practices with regard to drought. It also addresses their prioritized adaptation practices, which are based on local context and available resources. This study not only focuses on the implementation of these adaptation practices from the national to the local level, but it also mentions various roles of stakeholders and a definite timeframe for each adaptation practice.

Details

Risks and Conflicts: Local Responses to Natural Disasters
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-821-1

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2013

A.S. Ali, K.C. Keong, N. Zakaria, U. Zolkafli and F. Akashah

The purpose of this study is to focus on identifying building elements with design defects and established the relationship between design defects and difficulties in carrying out…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to focus on identifying building elements with design defects and established the relationship between design defects and difficulties in carrying out maintenance works.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of four cases have been selected covering primary‐ and secondary‐level for both National and National‐type schools (commonly known as vernacular schools). Interviews with school management were carried out throughout the study to assess the common design defects in the buildings.

Findings

A list of the design defects that have caused high maintenance cost was tabulated. It could be concluded that the most common design defects are building façade and missing slot underneath the floor slab which led to more defects.

Research limitations/implications

Only four schools in Penang, Malaysia were involved in this study. Data were gathered from the school management and maintenance personnel. No data have been obtained from the designers because difficulties in tracing the designers record since the school age are more than 20 years.

Practical implications

The study recommended that expert maintenance personnel shall be employed in the design stage to minimize design defects in school projects which in turn minimize the cost of building maintenance.

Social Implications

Safety and health of the students could be affected if there is no accurate measures being adopted to overcome the issue.

Originality/value

A very limited study has been carried out with regards to design maintenance for school buildings in Malaysia.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2023

Bifeng Zhu and Gebing Liu

The research on sustainable campus is related to environmental protection and the realization of global sustainable development goals (SDGs). Because the sustainable campus…

Abstract

Purpose

The research on sustainable campus is related to environmental protection and the realization of global sustainable development goals (SDGs). Because the sustainable campus development in China and Japan is carried out around buildings, this paper takes Kitakyushu Science and Research Park as a case to study the characteristics and typical model of sustainable campus in Japan by combined with the characteristics of Chinese sustainable campus.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compares the evaluation standards of green buildings between China and Japan, then compares the assessment results of the same typical green building case and finally summarizes the development mode and main realization path by discussing the implications of green buildings on campus sustainability.

Findings

The results show that (1) the sustainable campus evaluation in Japan mainly pays attention to the indoor environment, energy utilization and environmental problems. (2) Buildings mainly affect the sustainability of the campus in three aspects: construction, transportation and local. (3) The sustainable campus development model of Science and Research Park can be summarized as follows: taking green building as the core; SDGs as the goals; education as the guarantee; and the integration of industry, education and research as the characteristics.

Practical implications

It mainly provides construction experience for other campuses around the world to coordinate the contradictions between campus buildings and the environment based on sustainable principles in their own construction. It proposes a new sustainable campus construction path of “building–region–environment” integrated development.

Originality/value

This study provides theoretical framework for the development of sustainable campuses that includes long-term construction ideas and current technological support greatly improving the operability of practical applications. It not only enriches the sample cases of global sustainable campuses but also provides new ideas and perspectives for the sustainable development research of the overall campus through quantitative evaluation of building and environmental impacts.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 November 2021

Zhen-Ting Goh, Sheau-Ting Low, Weng-Wai Choong and Siaw-Chui Wee

The purpose of this paper is to identify the perception of valuers towards the contribution of green features in residential property valuation. The concept of green housing was…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the perception of valuers towards the contribution of green features in residential property valuation. The concept of green housing was designed to reduce the negative impacts on the environment and humans. The cost of green housing is higher than the conventional building and is reflected in the selling price, which is further enhanced by the increasing demand for green buildings in the housing market. Such a scenario could be a challenge to the valuers when they carry out a valuation on housing with green features, as there is a lack of information to guide valuers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative research method. A comprehensive review of the international green rating tools was carried out to ascertain the relative green features in residential buildings. There are 14 green features identified and grouped into four main categories. A total of 147 valid responses were collected by an online platform and face-to-face distribution among licensed valuers in Malaysia.

Findings

The result confirmed that the 14 green features are contributing to the residential property valuation with a reasonable range of adjustment from 2.0% to 6.5%.

Originality/value

The understanding of the range of adjustment for each green feature may provide a guide to the valuer in determining the range of adjustment based on green features associated with residential property in Malaysia. The findings contribute ideas and options to the future development of residential projects by taking into consideration the specific green features that potentially lead to environmental sustainability and building value.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 20 March 2012

Umma Habiba and Rajib Shaw

According to the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) (2008), Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country to natural hazards and disasters due to its geography, high population…

Abstract

According to the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) (2008), Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country to natural hazards and disasters due to its geography, high population density, and poverty. The country is exposed to a variety of recurring natural hazards such as floods, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, and riverbank erosion (Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM), 2007). Furthermore, Harmeling (2010) mentioned that Bangladesh heads the list of countries most at risk for floods. Bangladesh has suffered from 93 large-scale natural disasters in the period from 1991 to 2000 that killed 0.2 million people and caused loss of property valued at about 59 billion dollars in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors (Climate Change Cell, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Bangladesh, 2009). Fig. 1 represents different natural hazard-prone areas of Bangladesh.

Details

Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-868-8

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