Authors:Abdol Aziz Shahraki Pages: 273 - 284 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Abdol Aziz Shahraki This paper is to study the unauthorized urban neighborhoods, which cause critical multifaceted difficulties. It explores the reasons that have resulted in the unauthorized urban neighborhoods generally and in Chabahar city particularly. This paper has performed a case study to analyze the socioeconomic, spatial, skeletal, and functional effects of the illegal neighborhoods in the Chabahar city with the help of academic methods and field observations. It reviews various theoretical ideas and experiences could assist the rehabilitation and reconstructing of the unauthorized urban districts. It discusses optimal strategic regional/urban revitalization planning procedures to solve the problems in Chabahar. Finally, this paper suggests a renewal/rebuilding possible development program, including eight mother projects. The results of the renewal program will be substituted with the present informal and eroded neighborhoods in the city. The renewal program made progress in both physical features of the city and urban life quality indicators simultaneously. The model suggested by this paper will be feasible in similar regions everywhere.
Authors:Sangam Shrestha; Worapong Lohpaisankrit Pages: 285 - 298 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Sangam Shrestha, Worapong Lohpaisankrit Climate change is expected to increase both the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events, which may lead to more intense and frequent river flooding. This study aims to assess the flood hazard potential under climate change scenarios in Yang River Basin of Thailand. A physically-based distributed hydrological model, Block-wise use of TOPMODEL using Muskingum-Cunge flow routing (BTOPMC) and hydraulic model, HEC-RAS was used to simulate the floods under future climate scenarios. Future climate scenarios were constructed from the bias corrected outputs of three General Circulation Models (GCMs) for 2020s, 2050s and 2080s. Results show that basin will get warmer and wetter in future. Both the minimum and maximum temperature of the basin is projected to increase in future. Similarly average annual rainfall is also projected to increase in future, higher in near future and lower in far future. The extreme runoff pattern and synthetic inflow hydrographs for 25, 50 and 100year return flood were derived from an extreme flood of 2007 which were then fed into HEC-RAS model to generate the flood inundation maps in the basin. The intensity of annual floods is expected increase for both RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Compared to the baseline period, an additional 60km2 area of basin is projected to be flooded with the return period of 100years. The results of this study will be helpful to formulate adaptation strategies to offset the negative impacts of flooding on different land use activities in Yang River Basin.
Authors:Sheelan M. Hama; Nahla N. Hilal Pages: 299 - 308 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Sheelan M. Hama, Nahla N. Hilal This work aimed to investigate effecting of using plastic waste as partial replacement of fine aggregate, on the fresh characteristics of self-compacting concrete (SSC). For this purpose, different self-compacting concrete mixes were designed at constant water-to-binder ratio of 0.32 and 520kg/m3 of binder content. Class F fly ash was used as partial replacement of cement (30% by weight of cement). The six designated plastic waste contents of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5% and three different sized Plastic wastes (fine plastic wastes, coarse plastic wastes, and mixed plastic waste) were considered as experimental parameters. The workability properties of self-compacting concrete mixtures were performed regarding to slump flow diameter, T50 slump flow time, V-funnel flow time, L-box height ratio, and L-box T20 and T40 flow times. The 28-day compressive strengths of self-compacting concretes were also measured. The experimental results of this work are showed that the plastic waste with the sizes and contents that used in this work can be used successfully as a fine aggregate in self-compacting concrete.
Authors:Wole Morenikeji; Emmanuel Umaru; Halilu Pai; Solomon Jiya; Owoeye Idowu; B.M. Adeleye Pages: 309 - 316 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Wole Morenikeji, Emmanuel Umaru, Halilu Pai, Solomon Jiya, Owoeye Idowu, B.M. Adeleye The study examined the factors responsible for the spatial variation in housing quality across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria using 33 housing characteristics. The data used are the 2006 Housing Characteristics and Amenities tables which were sourced from Nigeria’s National Population Commission (National Population Commission, 2006). Principal Component Analysis extracted three components. Component 1 accounting for 38% has electricity, water closet toilet, hygienic sources of water and high quality roofing, walling and flooring materials highly loaded on it. Component 2 (31%) comprised inferior walling, roofing and flooring materials, pit toilet, traditional and semi-detached house types, while component 3 (7%) had mainly zinc wall and public toilet highly loaded on it. Using these factor loadings as variables in discriminant analysis, three distinct regions of differing housing quality emerged corresponding to the western, eastern and northern geographical regions of the country with 97.3% of the states correctly classified and with the western (high) and northern (low) states at the opposite ends of the quality scale. It is recommended that non-conforming buildings, particularly, residential, and insanitary environment should be put in check through very strict and proactive enforcement of development control edicts and sanitary laws.
Authors:Md. Abdul Hai; Md. Munjur E. Moula; Ullamaija Seppälä Pages: 317 - 329 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Md. Abdul Hai, Md. Munjur E. Moula, Ullamaija Seppälä With a purpose to comprehend intention-behaviour gap about acceptance of solar energy and solar community concept (houses and/or block of flats under specific solar power plant) among Finnish respondents, this qualitative study found respondents’ positive responses towards solar energy and their rationality and honesty in admitting their real behaviour. It focuses on the qualitative interpretation of individual’s intention that corresponds to specific behaviour. In terms of their ‘impression in principle’ by thinking solar energy as a non-polluting, inexhaustible and renewable energy source although all respondents were positive, the highest numbers were non-adopters. However, they were optimists. They mentally accepted (acceptance in principle) solar energy. They would adopt it later on after being satisfied with their most contextual conditions (‘impression in practical’). This study provides recommendations that indicate more future adoption and future research direction.
Authors:Aliakbar Kamari; Rossella Corrao; Poul Henning Kirkegaard Pages: 330 - 350 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Aliakbar Kamari, Rossella Corrao, Poul Henning Kirkegaard An overview of recent research related to building renovation has revealed that efforts to date do not address sustainability issues comprehensively. The question then arises in regard to the holistic sustainability objectives within building renovation context. In order to deal with this question, the research adopts a multi-dimensional approach involving literature review, exploration of existing assessment methods and methodologies, individual and focus group interviews, and application of Soft Systems Methodologies (SSM) with Value Focused Thinking (VFT). In doing so, appropriate data about sustainability objectives have been collected and structured, and subsequently verified using a Delphi study. A sustainability framework was developed in cooperation with University of Palermo and Aarhus University to audit, develop and assess building renovation performance, and support decision-making during the project’s lifecycle. The paper represents the results of research aiming at addressing sustainability of the entire renovation effort including new categories, criteria, and indicators. The developed framework can be applied during different project stages and to assist in the consideration of the sustainability issues through support of decision-making and communication with relevant stakeholders. Early in a project, it can be used to identify key performance criteria, and later to evaluate/compare the pros and cons of alternative retrofitting solutions either during the design stage or upon the project completion. According to the procedure of the consensus-based process for the development of an effective sustainability decision-making framework which was employed in this study, the outcome can also be considered as an outset step intended for the establishment of a Decision Support Systems (DSS) and assessment tool suited to building renovation context.
Authors:Y.V. Krishna Reddy; Sirisha Adamala; Erik K. Levlin; K.S. Reddy Pages: 351 - 358 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Y.V. Krishna Reddy, Sirisha Adamala, Erik K. Levlin, K.S. Reddy The temperatures of sewage water were too low in cold climatic regions of Baltic Sea, which resulted in inefficiency of denitrification in sewage treatment process (STP). This is not prescribed to meet the effluent nitrogen levels (<10mg/l) as per Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 98/15/EC. In order to improve the denitrification efficiency and the subsequent removal of nitrogen from the municipal wastewater as per the above European Commission guidelines, modified process was formulated with pre-anaerobic and post-aerobic activated sewage treatment processes. The modified process includes the rise in ambient temperature up to 20±2°C by using heat exchangers in Increased Technology and Efficiency in Sewage Treatment (ITEST) pilot plant at the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) laboratory. The experiments were conducted with the modified process of sewage water in one line (treatment line (TL)) and the existing process in another line (reference line (RL)) of the pilot plant. The physical (such as Temperature, Suspended solids and Sludge volume) and chemical (ammonium-nitrate (NH4 +-N), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3 −-N) and total-nitrogen (TN)) parameters were analyzed. The results concluded that the NH4 +-N, NO3 −-N and TN concentrations of treated waste water were satisfactory with a concentration of <10mg/l as per the European Directives 98/15/EEC at treatment line as compared to influent and reference lines. The average nitrogenous-compounds’ removal efficiencies were 84% and 76% of NH4 +, 80% and 65% of NO3 −, 78% and 62% of TN for TL and RL, respectively.
Authors:Mohamed M. Ouf; Mohamed H. Issa Pages: 359 - 371 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Mohamed M. Ouf, Mohamed H. Issa Buildings contribute 20–40% of the world’s energy consumption, making the need to investigate their energy performance a necessity. Given the lack of empirical evidence on the energy performance of school buildings in cold climates, this study aimed to benchmark historical energy consumption over a ten-year period in a sample of 30 school buildings in Manitoba, Canada. Results showed the median total energy consumption of these schools was higher than other Canadian benchmarks. School building age had a statistically significant effect on their energy consumption, with newer schools consuming less gas but more electricity than older and middle-aged ones. The retrofits implemented in some schools did not for the most part have a statistically significant effect on their energy consumption, although a decrease in energy consumption was observed. The results also showed that middle-aged schools were the largest energy consumers, with the results changing depending on the metric used to report on schools’ energy consumption, reinforcing the need to standardize those metrics. There is also a need to investigate how occupancy may be contributing to the increase in electricity consumption in newer schools. This study is the first to provide empirical evidence on existing school buildings’ energy consumption in Manitoba, establishing benchmarks that practitioners can make use of in similar cold climates.
Authors:Sajal Chowdhury; Yasuhiro Hamada; Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed Pages: 449 - 462 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Sajal Chowdhury, Yasuhiro Hamada, Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed This study is based on labor intensive factory, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh which was adversely impacted due to extreme hot conditions. The analysis started with the implementation of green roof (GR) as one of the passive design strategies to reduce indoor heat stress. Impact of indoor heat stress indicated by wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and prediction of heat strain (PHS) model for green roof have been evaluated through numerical studies and indoor environmental data of local factory was measured by portable weather station. A factory energy model (by Energyplus and Open Studio) based on one of the surveyed factory’s production space including different activity zones and lab test material’s properties was developed and different roof variables were evaluated. The result indicated that GR has significant contributions on indoor heat stress reduction and substrate indoor temperature decreases (2.5–3.5°C) with increasing vegetal coverage. It has been also examined the ratio of indoor temperature fluctuation and relatively higher standard deviation (SD) observed for non-green roof (n-GR) condition. For summer, it was also quantified that indoor WBGT and PHS criteria for the workers became 2–2.5 times lower from the high risk level due to the effectiveness of GR.
Authors:Wasim Salama Pages: 617 - 635 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Wasim Salama Due to various kinds of obsolescence, a large number of concrete buildings around the world are removed to give space for new buildings, however, the elements of these buildings in most cases have the ability to serve longer time, but the dominant demolition end-of-life scenario prevents from the reuse of these elements. It has been demonstrated that reuse of elements and materials is an environmentally responsible option that turns the current linear model of building materials and elements into a cyclic one, which pushes toward reconsidering the construction design of concrete buildings to support future disassembly, that facilitate reuse and adaptation. This study tends to explore and review the current issues related to concrete technologies and their role in building assembly and disassembly, as well as DfD “design for disassembly” aspects and theories that clarify and pave the way for future innovations, which move the construction design of concrete buildings to a higher degree of environmental responsibility. The study found out that despite the continuous developments in the field of concrete technologies, the link of these developments to the end-of-life phase is still missing. The study concluded that it is possible through the application of DfD criteria on precast concrete systems and elements to change the liner life-cycle model to a cyclic one.
Authors:Brian O. Oyegbile; Benjamin A. Oyegbile Pages: 636 - 662 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Brian O. Oyegbile, Benjamin A. Oyegbile The use of geosynthetic in soil and coastal engineering is increasing and improving due to improvements in its engineering properties and fabrication techniques. While some geosynthetic coastal structures have attained advanced stage in terms of applications and efficiency, others still lack well-structured design formulas and specifications on a sound scientific basis, hence continued experimental works for the better understanding of the hydraulic performance, stability and modes of failure of these structures. Coastal areas are dynamic with unique geomechanical feature such as soil instability, which in any case, may affect the overall performance of coastal defence structures constructed on soft soil or weak foundation. This paper reviews the developments and applications of geosynthetics in soil stabilization and protection of coastal areas with emphasis on shoreline protection. Relevant empirical research data are presented as well as the present and likely future challenges in the use of geosynthetics in soil stabilization and coastal defence structures.
Authors:Aman Randhawa; Ashwani Kumar Pages: 701 - 710 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Aman Randhawa, Ashwani Kumar Urban cities of developing countries are witnessing rapid urbanization that has elevated issues in the field of urban planning like a gap in demand and supply of infrastructure services and utilities, traffic congestions, pollution, reduction in natural green cover, peri-urban settlement typology etc, thus affecting the natural and built environment adversely. These prevailing issues will worsen over the coming decades as the urban population is increasing at a phenomenal rate, thus highlighting the urgency to take appropriate actions. Smart development has been identified as a sustainable world-wide solution to the existing urban planning issues, whose principles aims at providing a better quality of life and advertises livable communities; though the concept is vague to define, as no universal definition exists. The soul reason for the concept to be vague is the number of dimensions in which it is represented and therefore, the concept needs to be standardized in order to scale development worldwide. India has undergone rapid urbanization over the last few decades and the witnessing cities are mostly of Class-I & II tiers. To cater the issues developed by this phenomenon, the governing authorities have taken up initiatives over the years, in the form of programmes that have mainly focused on providing basic infrastructure services and utilities to the cities and have not paid much attention in achieving sustainability in the approach. Recently, India has introduced the smart city mission, which is somewhat on the similar lines of smart development. Since the development is been interpreted differently among the nations due to no standardization of the concept, it’s important to understand how the concept has been represented in the Indian context. The paper intended to analyse the concept of smart development and explore the sustainability quotient in the smart city mission introduced by the Government of India. And, concluding that whether the initiative taken up, achieves sustainability in the field of urban planning. To achieve the above-mentioned goals, an in-depth analysis was conducted of the various concepts associated with smart development.
Authors:Yousef Al Horr; Ammar Elhoweris; Esam Elsarrag Pages: 734 - 741 Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Yousef Al Horr, Ammar Elhoweris, Esam Elsarrag In an industrial climate where the reduction of carbon emissions is paramount to meeting industry standards for a sustainable future, the cement industry is looking for alternative and creative solutions to reducing its carbon footprint and energy consumption. The title review develops a novel process for the production of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement, a material produced in the Chinese construction industry for use as a rapid hardening binder for 5 decades; but now undergoing rapid change. The novelty of the proposed process lies partly in its source of sulfur. Typically provided by gypsum in conventional raw feeds, the novel process instead sequesters sulfur into the cement solids through the combustion of elemental sulfur. This combustion event, in turn, contributes towards the calorific value required to heat and maintain kiln temperatures by burning fossil fuel, e.g. natural gas. The combustion of sulfur also provides various added benefits. The resultant sulfur-containing atmosphere in the reaction system provides a protective environment which represses S volatilisation at the operating temperatures used for CSA production, ca 1200–1300 °C. The novel process was developed with the intention for eventual commercial production in Doha, Qatar. The combustion of sulfur would be additionally beneficial due to the nation’s production of vast quantities of natural gas; elemental sulfur is a by-product of the Claus process, used for the desulfurisation of natural gas or sour crude. The proposed novel process would thereby utilise a waste product, i.e. sulfur, for the production of a low carbon cement product.
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