Sustainable Built Environment Dr. Sam C M Hui Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Hong Kong MECH1010 – Engineer in Society Mar 2008

Built Environment Built environment is everything that has been made by humans to modify the spaces in which we live and work Ranges from the large-scale civic surroundings to the personal places May be residential, commercial, industrial, schools, parks, roads and highways Include architectural design, building engineering, interior design, landscape design, town planning and urban design

"We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us." (Winston Churchill)

Built Environment Scope of the built environment Economy Environment Social Possible impacts, such as on Quality of life, economic goals Climate, bio-sphere, global resources Air quality, water and ground pollution Land use, waste, local resources

Built Environment Our world today has limited resources Excessive use of materials is not only wasteful of natural products, but also costs money There is a need to promote “sustainable development” in our society/planet Two key questions to ask ourselves: What is sustainable development? How to make the built environment sustainable?

Built Environment The Brundtland Report (Our Common Future) “S.D. is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.” – World Commission on Environment and Development. Two important concepts Needs – maintain an acceptable life standard Limits – within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems and resource base

Supporting ecosystems and resource base Human needs and development Ecological footprint (hectares/person) *: - world average = USA = Hong Kong = China = 1.2 [* Source: Friends of the Earth (HK)] WasteSupply Carrying capacity and ecological footprint

Built Environment One day in HK (popul. = 6.97 million) [1999] Fresh water consumption = 358 litre/person Electricity consumption = 13.9 kWh/person Food consumption: Vegetables 1,100 tonnes; fruits 1,800 tonnes Live pigs 6,200 heads; live cattle 170 heads Live poultry 190 tonnes; fresh eggs 200 tonnes Freshwater fish 120 tonnes; marine fish 170 tonnes Solid waste production = 18,040 tonnes

Sustain-able Future?

Built Environment How to make the built environment sustainable? Achieve a balance among economy, environment and social Promote sustainable design and operation of buildings which consider Economy and efficiency of resources Life cycle design Human well-being

Economy Environment Society Economic Sustainability Growth Development Productivity Trickle-down Social Sustainability Cultural Identity Empowerment Accessibility Stability Equity Environmental Sustainability Ecosystem integrity Carrying capacity Biodiversity Human Well Being Three dimensions of sustainability

Building life cycle and sustainable construction Construction Operation & maintenance Demolition/Disposal Design Waste management RecycleReuse Materials and systems ReduceSelect Pre-Building Phase Building Phase Post-Building Phase Energy issuesWater conservation EfficiencyRenewableReduceRecycle Designers Contractors Users

- CO 2 emissions - acid rain - ozone depletion - rainforest depletion - energy performance - renewable energy - water conservation - air quality - thermal comfort - lighting & noise - hazardous materials - material selection - recycling of materials - waste management - disposal & reuse - environmental policy - transport strategy - building maintenance - site selection - urban design - landscape planning Environmental Criteria & Factors

Upstream Downstream Bldg. materials Energy/fuels Fresh water Consumer goods Solar radiation Wind Rain Used materials Combustion by- product Waste water Garbage Heat Polluted air Ground water Resource and material flow in the building ecosystem

Avoid “sick building syndromes” by maintaining good indoor air quality

What is it? Ans.: A sustainable washing machine (Benefits: save energy and water, reuse materials, promote human exercises)

Built Environment Video presentation: A democratic building (17 min.) [AV D3] The Greater London Authority's headquarters (GLA Building) To study the aims, design and implementation of an environmentally considered building Contributors: Richard Banks, CIT Group (the client) David Kong, architect with Foster and Partners Sara McGowan, building services engineers with Ove Arup Macolm Turpin, structural engineer with Ove Arup

London City Hall GLA Building (Source:

Built Environment Role Model – Mechanical Building Services Engineer: Sara McGowan Young Women Engineer of the Year 2003, UK Uses science & art to design modern buildings Further info: Sara McGowan: Case Study (PDF) A day in the life... Sara McGowan Snapshots - Sara McGowan, Engineer Video online (from Vega Science Trust) (14 minutes)

Be a creative and ‘green’ engineer! THANK YOU