Legal Frameworks For The Built Environment

Law is a complex subject and has major impacts on the built environment and all those working in it. Law is seen as one of the strongest interdisciplinary links between the various professions; it is essential to have a clear understanding of how both statute and common law, as well as the legislative frameworks (statutory controls/policy and procedures), affect all the roles/areas throughout the built environment. This book will provide students with a broad understanding of the law and its applications, from disputes to land use.

This book provides a concise exposition of the relevant law and techniques commonly used to meet the regulatory requirements concerning the built environment. It provides a much needed reference and learning text for the growing professional and student involved in the subject. Aspects of environmental law and technology covered include the administration and sources of law,town and country planning, water and air pollution, waste, integrated pollution control and the natural environment. It highlights the importance of cross-boundary control, describing in detail the European and international law and enforcement regimes, the agencies involved in town and country planning, procedures at inquiries and enforcement measures, as well as looking at future developments. The important new protocol for assessing the environmental impact of developments is explained in detail. The policy framework and technical processes involved in dealing with water pollution are explored in terms of abstraction, supply, discharge and classification. Air pollution is dealt with in terms of energy efficiency, nuclear power, transport and future potential developments, and the recent phenomenon of sick building syndrome is explored in some detail. Other areas covered include the regulatory and technical processes involved in dealing with contaminated land, recycling/re-use, incineration, import/export and the law, policy and technology of integrated pollution control. A detailed exposition is offered of the legal issues concerning protection of the countryside, birds and animals; the problem of genetically modified crops; forestry; and mining.

Law and the Built Environment is a core textbook for all students undertaking compulsory law modules on construction, real estate and property management programmes. This single text provides an accessible introduction to the many areas of law studied by aspiring built environment professionals. Written by a team of lecturers with many years' teaching experience in these areas, key principles of English law are placed in their relevant professional context and clearly explained in exactly the right level of detail for success in the modules studied. The book also focuses in greater depth on some specialist areas of built environment professional practice, including construction contracts, health and safety, rent review, dilapidations, and lease renewals. It provides an essential resource for students studying for qualifications leading to professional membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). It caters primarily for students studying these subjects at bachelor's degree level, but will also be suitable for students on programmes at HNC and HND levels, as well as those undertaking professional examinations. It will also provide introductory reading for students undertaking master's level programmes, and particularly for the increasing numbers of graduates from other disciplines who are now studying on RICS-accredited master's degree conversion programmes.

Examining the most important issues in achieving the goal of building more efficient and less damaging buildings, this book highlight the significant statutes and regulations as well as other legal issues that need to be considered when advising clients in the development, construction, financing, and leasing of a green building. Topics include federal incentive programs, financing, alternative energy, site selection, land use planning, green construction practices and materials, emerging legal issues, and the effects of climate change on planning and architectural design.

The drive towards environmentally friendly buildings and infrastructure has led to a growing interest in providing design solutions underpinned by the core principles of sustainability to balance economic, social and environmental factors. Design Economics for the Built Environment: Impact of sustainability on project evaluation presents new directions, reflecting the need to recognise the impact of climate change and the importance of sustainability in project evaluation. The aim is to provide a new approach to understanding design economics in the context of the changing policy environment, legislative and regulatory framework, and increasing economic, environmental and social pressure as result of the sustainability agenda. The book follows a structured approach from theories and principles in the earlier chapters, to the practical applications and emerging techniques focusing on value and social, economic and environmental considerations in making design decisions. It starts with the policy context, building on various theories and principles such as, capital cost, value of design and resource-based theories, the new rules of measurement (NRM) to explore cost planning, the relationship between height and costs, key socio-economic and environmental variables for design appraisal, eco-cost/value ratio (EVR), whole life theory and the treatment of carbon emission as external costs, productivity and efficiency, fiscal drivers and legal framework for carbon reduction, procurement and allocation of risks in contracts. Case studies, practical examples and frameworks throughout reinforce theories and principles and relate them to current practice. The book is essential reading for postgraduate students in architecture, building and quantity surveying and is also a valuable resource for academics, consultants and policy-makers in the built environment.