Eco Architecture Ix

Architecture is very multi-disciplinary, attracting many different professions. This is reflected in the contributions contained in this volume that were originally presented at the 9th International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature. The included works review the challenges and new opportunities of contemporary architecture as a result of advances in design and new building technologies, as well as the development of new materials. Never before in history have architects and engineers had such a range of new processes and products open to them. In spite of that, the construction industry lags behind all others in taking advantage of a wide variety of new technologies. This is understandable, due to the inherent complexity and uniqueness of each architectural project. Advances in computer and information systems, including robotics, offers the possibility of developing new architectural forms, construction products and building technologies that are just now starting to emerge. Changes have also taken place in the way modern society works and lives, due to the impact of modern technologies. Patterns of work have been disrupted and changed, affecting transportation and the home environment. The demand is for a new type of habitat that can respond to the changes and the consequent requirements in terms of the urban environment. Such topics are dealt with as building technologies, design by passive systems, design with nature, cultural sensitivity, life cycle assessment, resources and rehabilitation and many others including case studies from many different places around the world.

New opportunities for solving the challenges of contemporary architecture occur as a result of advances in the design and new building technologies, as well as the development of new materials. Many of the changes are motivated by a drive towards eco-architecture, trying to harmonise architectural products with nature. Another important issue is the adaptation of the architectural design to the natural environment, learning from nature and traditional construction techniques. Contemporary architecture is at the threshold of a new stage of evolution, deeply influenced by the advances in information and computer systems and the development of new materials and products, as well as construction processes that will drastically change the industry. Never before in history have architects and engineers had such a range of new processes and products open to them. In spite of that, the construction industry lags behind all others in taking advantage of a wide variety of new technologies. This is understandable, due to the inherent complexity and uniqueness of each architectural project. Advances in computer and information systems, including robotics, offers the possibility of developing new architectural forms, construction products and building technologies which are just now starting to emerge. Changes have also taken place in the way modern society works and lives, due to the impact of modern technologies. Patterns of work have been disrupted and changed, affecting transportation and the home environment. The demand is for a new type of habitat that can respond to the changes and the consequent requirements in terms of the urban environment. This volume originates from the 8th International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature and deals with topics such as building technologies, design by passive systems, design with nature, cultural sensitivity, life cycle assessment, resources and rehabilitation and many others including case studies from around the world.

At a time when environmental architecture is proliferating in all its forms around the world, adopting ever more complex sets of tools, this book provides an overview of the state of the field. It provides a critical introduction to the study of environmentalism in architecture. Written especially for students and researchers who work in the field of environmental architecture, this book reveals the spectrum of approaches practiced today. The text includes: An abridged history and overview of environmentalism in the field of architecture. A clear methodology for analyzing the included 29 cases, which can also be adopted for further guidance in a variety of architectural design projects. Assessments of 29 buildings: 10 libraries, 10 museums and 9 university buildings from around the world. Analyzing Eco-Architecture: Beyond Performance is essential reading for students, researchers and practitioners involved in the study and design of environmental architecture today.

Containing the proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability this book addresses the multi-disciplinary aspects of urban planning; a result of the increasing size of cities; the amount of resources and services required and the complexity of modern society. Most of earth’s population now lives in cities and the process of urbanisation still continues generating many problems deriving from the drift of the population towards them. These problems can be resolved by cities becoming efficient habitats, saving resources in a way that improves the quality and standard of living. The process however, faces a number of major challenges, related to reducing pollution, improving main transportation and infrastructure systems. New urban solutions are required to optimise the use of space and energy resources leading to improvements in the environment, i.e. reduction in air, water and soil pollution as well as efficient ways to deal with waste generation. These challenges contribute to the development of social and economic imbalances and require the development of new solutions. Large cities are probably the most complex mechanisms to manage. However, despite such complexity they represent a fertile ground for architects, engineers, city planners, social and political scientists, and other professionals able to conceive new ideas and time them according to technological advances and human requirements. The challenge of planning sustainable cities lies in considering their dynamics, the exchange of energy and matter, and the function and maintenance of ordered structures directly or indirectly, supplied and maintained by natural systems. Topics covered include: Urban strategies; Planning, development and management; Urban conservation and regeneration; The community and the city; Eco-town planning; Landscape planning and design; Environmental management; Sustainable energy and the city; Transportation; Quality of life; Waterfront development; Case studies; Architectural issues; Cultural heritage issues; Intelligent environment and emerging technologies; Planning for risk; Disaster and emergency response; Safety and security; Waste management; Infrastructure and society; Urban metabolism.

Containing papers presented at the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Development and Planning this volume brings together the work of academics, policy makers, practitioners and other international stakeholders and discusses new academic findings and their application in planning and development strategies, assessment tools and decision making processes. Problems related to development and planning are present in all areas and regions of the world. Accelerated urbanisation has resulted in both the deterioration of the environment and quality of life. Taking into consideration the interaction between different regions and developing new methodologies for monitoring, planning and implementation, new strategies can offer solutions mitigating environmental pollution and non-sustainable use of available resources. Energy saving and eco-friendly buildings have become an important part of modern day progress with emphasis on resource optimisation. Planning is a key part in ensuring that these solutions along with new materials and processes are efficiently incorporated. Planners, environmentalists, architects, engineers and economists have to work collectively to ensure that present and future needs are met. The papers in the book cover a number of topics, including: City planning; Regional planning; Rural developments; Sustainability and the built environment; Sustainability supply chain; Resilience; Environmental management; Energy resources; Cultural heritage; Quality of life; Sustainable solutions in emerging countries; Sustainable tourism; Learning from nature; Transportation; Social and political issues; Community planning; UN Sustainable Development Goals and Timber Structures.

The New Eco-Architecture builds a historical bridge between architectural science and design. It seeks to address neglected aspects of the Modern Movement as a prelude to supporting a diversity of architectural insight and experimentation aimed at twenty-first century environmental needs and priorities. The attitudes and influences of renowned figures are re-examined in relation to current issues of architectural sustainability. By setting today's green architectural quest within a twentieth century context, and evaluating the main protagonists with regard to a modern eco-sensitive lineage, the book will be of primary interest to architectural students, academics and practitioners. However, it should also intrigue historians, theoreticians and critics, who tend to gloss over such issues, as well as other disciplines engaged with the built environment.

he papers in this book deal with topics such as building technologies, design by passive systems, design with nature, cultural sensitivity, life cycle assessment, resources and rehabilitation and many others. Also included are case studies from many different places around the world.

Containing papers presented at the Ninth International Conference in the well-established conference series on Ecosystems and Sustainable Development, this book originates from the work of the late Nobel laureate, Ilya Prigogine, and challenges us to develop the new science of “ecodynamics,” integrating thermodynamics, ecology and economics. It covers not only novel research related to ecological problems from all over the world, but also new emergent ideas arising from the cross fertilisation of different disciplines, including evolutionary thermodynamics and biodiversity, structures in ecosystems modelling and landscapes, mathematical models and eco-informatics, to mention but a few.The papers in the book cover such topics as: Ecosystems modelling; Natural resources management; Environmental indicators and measurements; Sustainable development and planning; Data mining applications; Energy and the environment; Soil contamination and recovery; Water resources issues; Waste management; Ecotoxicity; Ecosystems maintenance; Ecosystems and climate change; Environmental economics and benefit analysis; Recovery of damaged areas; Socio-economic areas; Environmental management; Policies and regulations; Protection and mitigation; Knowledge dissemination and internet applications; Ecological services; Innovation in ecosystems management; Landscape development and management.