Category: Building

Introduction

First published in Arabic, Alaa Al-Aswany’s 2002 novel “The Yacoubian Building” revolves around the lives of people in a modern society at Cairo, where greed for wealth, social and political power is presented as the main problem facing the people of Egypt, several years after independence and revolution.

Although the book was published in English two years after its first publication in Arabic, it has become one of the best selling novels in its English series. Alaa Al-Aswany, a physician who once occupied the Yaocubian Building in Cairo, sets his story in “The Yaucoubian Building”, an actual architectural landmark in Cairo.

Though built for Armenian tycoon Hagop Yacoubian in 1934 to accommodate government ministers, rich businesspersons, European technocrats and visitors, Al-Aswany describes how a community of corrupt, immoral and power-liking individuals has replaced this former class of dignified people (Al-Aswany 23).

Using these people occupying and visiting the building as an example, the author attempts to describe how immorality, corruption and poor political and socioeconomic leadership have affected the entire society of Cairenes and Egypt after the 1952 revolution. The author shows how Hosni Humabarak’s regime has instilled corruption and immorality in Cairo to an extent that it is difficult to find a morally straight individual.

Clearly, the author’s perception of his society is largely negative, as displayed by his description of necessity as the mother of corruption, sexual immorality and greed for power displayed by the characters.

The Plot: A Brief Summary

Al-Aswany’s novel first describes the Yacoubian Building as one of the most magnificent and luxurious building in the city, having survived in its status since 1934. After the 1952 revolution, in which Abdel Nasser replaced King Farouk, most of the occupants in the building flee the country. Military officers, their families and relatives as well as other officials of the new regime occupied the vacant rooms.

On the roof of the Yacoubian, fifty small rooms make each floor. Originally, they were used as storage areas by rich foreigners, but are now occupied by poor people as residential areas or business rooms (Al-Aswany 36).

This makes the roof of the building into a slum, a representation of the entire city. In the lower sections, a number of businesses occupy some larger rooms. Among them is a club, where much of the characters visit for their drinks and immoral sexual acts.

Necessity as the mother of sexual immorality, political evils and corruption

Moral corruption, sexuality and the greed for money and wealth are intertwined. Characters, due to necessity for wealth, are ready to destroy their dignity. Women, for instance, are ready, though unwillingly, to sexually satisfy rich men for money.

Homosexual men, mostly the poor and the young, readily but unwillingly involve themselves in indecent anal sex with older and rich men (Al-Aswany 73). On the other hand, rich men willingly dish out money when pursuing sexual partners.

The author’s idea of a corrupt society and regime is based on his analysis and description of the persons occupying the building. In fact, the author uses the house to describe how the regime has moved from a government of technocrats, noble and morally straight people to a government led and supported by immoral, non-visionary and corrupt persons whose main purpose is to gain political and economic power.

The ethically questionable characters and their actions illustrate the moral decline arising from a corrupt political regime in Egypt (Al-Aswany 67). The author introduces the characters do define his themes.

First, the reader is introduced to Hatim as he is walking into Chez Nous, a famous club occupying one of the larger rooms in the lower floor of the Yacoubian building. The reader is surprised to learn that the club is famous for a large number of homosexuals who frequent there. His male lover, Abd Rabbuh, accompanies Hatim.

A well-known editor, Hatim is highly respected in the city, as shown by the silence that is suddenly observed and maintained by the drunken customers (Al- Aswany 37).

The author describes Hatim as a professional and respectable character, although everyone in the building seems to know of his sexual orientation. Hatim is not dating Abd Rabuh alone, but the reader comes to learn that he is actually pursuing rough young men for sex, dishing money to ensure he gets the best man he comes across.

Apart from gay behavior exhibited as a form of immorality in Cairo, Al-Asawny also introduces the reader to the immoral act of men like Zaki Bey, an elderly person who operates an office at the Yacoubian Building, but spends much of his time pursuing women and dope. He is portrayed as a man with all manners of pre-revolutionary Cairo.

Hagg Azzam, a self-made billionaire and a suspected drug dealer, signifies the corrupt class of Egypt that is doing anything possible to corrupt their way to power.

In addition, the reader is introduced to Malak, a shirt maker who occupies a small room in the upper section of Yacoubian Building. However, despite having a humble business, we learn that he has a hidden agenda- he has a secret plan to capture all the apartments downstairs.

Taha, the young son of the building’s door attendant, is presented as a young and ‘too honest’ person. Taha is too honest to an extent that he cannot fit the police force. He is also a bright and ambitious person. However, the reader learns that apart from being Buhayna’s boyfriend, he is actually heterosexual. In addition, he joins Muslim militancy, leaving his girlfriend (Al-Aswany 123).

Women are also not spared when considering the immoral acts of people in Cairo. Buhayna, once Taha leaves the building, is left coning men but ‘smartly’ without losing her virginity. However, she cannot escape practicing immorality because she needs some money to support her mother and siblings (Al-Aswany 143). In fact, the plight of women in the city is well presented in the novel.

For instance, Souad Gaber is literally ‘sold’ for marriage to Hagg Azam by her elder brother. The older brother briefly meets Azzam the tycoon, and, without even knowing his intentions, willingly gives away his sister in exchange for a large sum of money. In fact, the author compares the meeting between her brother and Azzam with a “business transition” in which Souad, the commodity, is offered for sale (Al-Aswany 126).

Conclusion

Al Aswany’s characters are clearly used to display how people are in need of money, wealth and better lives. While rich men are chasing the poor people for sexual satisfaction, the poor are ready to destroy their dignity in exchange of money.

Works Cited

Al-Aswany, Alaa. The Yacoubian Building. Cairo: The American University in Cairo, 2002. Print

Green Corp. is a child care service provider which is attempting to operate on the basis of green building. The specific regulations that would be governing the operations of childcare located in the Washoe Country School District would include compliance with the rules and procedures set forward by the board of country commissioners and the Bureau of Statistics for child care. These provide regulations for the design of the facility, the infrastructure required, the size required and the specific services to be provided by the child care facility. Other regulations pertaining to the Plan Submittal Application, the Utility Permit Fax Request, the Structural Observation Agreement, and compliance with the Structural Design and Inspection division.

The law and litigation for child care facilities are handled by the Washoe County Department of Social Services and their Business Development Committee. Civil litigation and criminal charges can be brought up against the company if it does not comply with the regulations stated above or if it fails to get a license for its operation and as well as the development of the building. The penalty that is set for such offense pertains to states that “Any person who violates the County’s land use or business license regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction within a Justice Court, is punished according to section 125.050 of County Code (a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or a maximum jail sentence of six months). Each day that the violation persists is a separate violation and the CEO can issue a written misdemeanor criminal citation for each day the violation remains uncorrected.” (‘Washoe Code Enforcement’, 2007).

Green buildings are those building structures that are environmentally sound and allow for sustainability. This is a much healthier and resource-efficient practice of construction, renovation, and maintenance. The benefits of a green building include that it aids in reducing costs pertaining to energy usage and wastage of material.

The project will seek outbuildings already certified by or built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, “a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality” (USGBC, 2007). The classroom atmosphere of a green building has been determined to create high-performing students. This is the reason the school has been designated as the appropriate location to house the after-school care facility.

Through the green building project, the costs pertaining to ethical and legal costs will be reduced in the long term as the higher legal fees will be compensated through cost savings from the building. Aside from this, the green building project will be more ethical as it will provide a healthier environment for the children to be in.

Essentially there are many kinds of business structure which can operate in a green building. However the business, in this case, is going to be a child care facility, this would advantage for the business as they will be able to make use of the ethical, social, and environmental advantages of Green Building to make the place healthier and suitable for children.

To minimize capital costs, Green Corp. will partner with schools (or other suitable buildings) already built to green standards. This will minimize the impact of the building on the environment while giving the student a healthy environment in which to relax and learn. The first partnership and program for Green Corp. will be created with and in a new school recently built in Cold Springs, Nevada. The current student enrollment is 915 with a total capacity of 1064. The current population is students from lower- to middle-class income families.

The childcare building will be achieving sustainability by making use of recycled material in the building, renovation, and maintenance of the infrastructure. This reduces the pollution and waste being emitted into the environment. The aspect of social responsibility also is addressed on part of the green child care building as it improves the environment of the community and the reign and provides the children in the society leave access to a hygienic living environment. In the long run, the building also stands as a model for other community, essential and commercial buildings.

References

Leeds for Schools, U.S. Green Building Council, 2007. Web.

Washoe County Code Enforcement – Common Questions, 2007. Web.

Emerging Technological Case Study

Using intelligent building capabilities, e.g. sensors and tracking devices in a medical building will not only boost the security of the medical facility but also perform other related operations like in-field patient monitoring, environment monitoring, storage of patients’ data, monitoring the patient response to treatment and identifying patients’ location and status. These healthcare applications ensure effective Doctor-Patient interaction and communication. It also translates into the provision of proper treatment and medicare without disturbing the patients’ comfort. However, the deployment of this new technology in a medical facility without considering the risks involved can be detrimental to the entire plan (Klingbeil & Wark, 2008).

These healthcare applications, i.e. sensors and other associated IT systems are faced with security and privacy threats. The patient’s personal information is confidential and hence should be stored in a secure environment. The possible security and privacy concerns that the medical facility must put into consideration before venturing into the plan include:

Risks when examining the patients’ critical symptoms

While the doctors may be monitoring and snooping about the patients’ vital symptoms in their attempt to detect an illness, a third party may get the patients’ data through the communication channels using a receiver antenna. The intercepted messages might contain vital information about a patients’ location and identity and thus the patients’ security and privacy will be at stake.

Threats to the data transfer

In case hospitals choose to use the wireless transfer of information in unrestricted areas, the data transfer will be under threat. After sensors have collected physiological data about a given patient, the data have to be transmitted to the remote server of the medical facility. While on transit, a third-party might capture and change the physiological data. The patient will be at risk if the changed information is sent to the server. The main types of transit attack include interception, where a third-party illegally access the transit information, and message modification where the patients’ medical data is captured, then it is modified and thus becomes misleading to the users.

Threats on the patients’ location

Some medical sensors track the patients’ mobility to ensure that the exact position of the patient is known and confusion during emergencies is minimized. Location tracking systems utilize radiofrequency waves, received signal indicators, etc. Therefore, if a third-party receives the patients’ radio signals, they might be in a position to locate the patient.

Activity-based risks

A third-party can get the health status of a patient who might be exercising or practicing in a fitness center. Using the captured data, they might guess the activity that the patient is doing and sent misleading exercise tips and messages to them thus interrupting the entire diagnosis procedure.

Replay risks

In the case of a home care facility, a third-party may attack the wireless relay point when a patient is transmitting to the main server. Usually, Rely Nodes are not guarded and a third-party may gain access to the Rogue Rely Node causing a false alarm in the remote sites. This is the most dangerous threat because it defeats the entire purpose of wireless connectivity in a medical facility (Stell, Sinnott & Jiang, 2009).

Regarding privacy issues, it stands out that the patients’ data records and information should be confidential and can only be given out with their permission. The major privacy issues associated with the above security concerns include:

Abuse of medical information

The flow of patients’ health information in the communication channel is subjected to abuse and their privacy is breached.

Leakage of prescriptions

It is clear that a lot of data leak to the third-party including the doctors’ medical prescriptions to the patient. Therefore, the privacy of the patient is abused and this can even lead to death.

Effects on the social life of the patient

When the patients’ health records leak to the public, and maybe they are suffering from mental illness, their life might not be the same again if the public fails to treat them fairly (Varandas, Vaidya & Rodrigues, 2010).

To curb the above threats, the medical facility can utilize the following mechanisms:

Cryptography

Bearing in mind that medical sensor networks carry sensitive patients’ health information, strong cryptographic functions, e.g. encryption and authentication, are paramount requirements for mounting any secure healthcare technological application. Encryption and authentication will ensure that access to patients’ data on transit by outsiders is prevented.

Management protocols

Another way of securing network applications is through management protocols. Proper implementation of network management protocols (NMP) will protect the network nodes from hackers thus efficiently managing the network resources.

Protected Routing

In the case of home care, the sensor will have to transmit patients’ data to a remote server which might be far away from the network range. Therefore, protective routing and message forwarding become a crucial service for end-to-end communication. Developing a protected routing protocol will ensure the privacy and security of the networks.

Secure Localization

Tracking devices and sensors allow the mobility of patients’ medical data accounts to a remote server. Therefore, patients should notify the administrator about their new locations to incase they decide to move.

References

Klingbeil, L., & Wark, T. (2008).A wireless sensor network for real-time indoor localisation and motion monitoring. Proceedings of the 2008. International Conference on Information Processing in Sensor Networks, 30(3),39–50. Web.

Stell, A., Sinnott, R., & Jiang, J. (2009).A clinical grid infrastructure supporting adverse hypotensive event prediction. Proceedings of the 9th IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Cluster Computing and the Grid, 12(01), 508–513. Web.

Varandas, C., Vaidya, B., & Rodrigues, J. (2010). mTracker: A mobile tracking application for pervasive environment. Proceedings of the 2010 IEEE 24th International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications Workshops, 32(07), 962–967. Web.

The Targeted Success for the Proposed Project

Public health is a global concern. Most institutions recognize the need to integrate transformative research on this field. The incidences of lifestyle diseases in Australia are notable. These include health complications such as obesity, diabetes and heart related conditions. At Sydney University, the importance of establishing a contemporary CODCD centre is eminent. The centre is projected to play several significant roles. As indicated, it is supposed to be a potential collaboration, research and training centre. The basic focus of the proposed project is to support systems and develops capacities (Koulizos 2012, p. 23). The proposed project is to be a multi-disciplinary centre, enabling constructive public health research. It is also expected to increase the level of partnerships and collaborations. Particularly, this project will assist in knowledge transfers and capacity building.

There are potential job opportunities to be created. An efficiently managed and operational CODCD centre can generate remarkable revenues for the federal government. The centre shall aim at transforming intellectual discoveries into potential solutions. Indeed, it shall have positive impacts both at the domestic and global levels. The centre shall host both clinical as well as population research. The proposed project is also expected to develop and reinforce effective collaborations (Davies 2012). The University’s existing rich network shall be a better platform form for increased development. Medical research organizations will also be other potential partners of the proposed CODCD centre. Generally, the centre shall remain as an intersection point for the fight against lifestyle diseases. These enlisted operations constitute the expected success factors for the proposed project.

The Business Environment for the Proposed Project

The proposed project is to be located in an area with great business potential. Generally, the Sydney’s economy remains strong. Apart from being versatile, the area also has very reliable infrastructure. Many people have recognized the great business potential in Sydney (Siddique 2007, p. 23). It is a thriving centre for commercial activities. Because Sydney is an identifiable global city, it shall provide an amiable habitat for international investors and partners. This means that even international developers are able to bid for the tender. The strategic location of the area is obvious. This is because it is the capital city of State of “New South Wales,” (NSW).

The city’s strategic location as a gateway to the rest of Australia as well as the Asia Pacific is important. The proposed CODCD building will enjoy a large pool of potential workers. A majority of the population within this area is highly skilled and educated (Higgins1998, p. 45). There are approximations that about 57 per cent of this population have attained tertiary education. Analytically, this area perhaps provides the most highly educated persons within the greater Australia. Evidently, NSW has a comparably larger economy relative to those of Hong Kong and Singapore. The area also caters for a third of the larger “gross domestic product” for Australia. The proposed project is to be located within the city. This shall provide competitive offices and other associated services.

The building shall also have the capacity to host international guests and develop global partnerships. This shall occur with minimal interruptions. This aspect is largely attributed to its strategic location. Observably, approximately over 600 multinational corporations presently have their headquarters within this city (Attard 2010). This may be due to the flexible and effective regulatory system notable in the government. This makes it simple to initiate and operate any legal business. It is imperative to indicate that the proposed project is likely to operate in a highly competitive business environment. The graph below shows the trend of costs for various building materials in Australia.

Factors Likely To Affect the Project

The client

The proposed location for the CODCD project is critical for client attraction. Sydney harbours a lot of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Because it is a capital city, the Sydney is a home for several people from different global destinations (Davies 2012). It is noteworthy to indicate that the proposed project is expected to serve the international community. Therefore, its intended operations must consider various multicultural concerns. This consideration shall ensure adequate client satisfaction. Additionally, the client base is expected to expansively grow. One of the critical services to be offered includes academic training. Apart from this, the centre shall offer capacity building and knowledge management to most medical staff. Indicatively, this will occur within the expansive local and global community. The basic implication is that there must be crucial consideration of the quality service standards (Siddique 2007, p. 35). The construction processes must also provide room for the different social groups and categories of clients. Most people suffering from notable lifestyle diseases will also be part of the client population. The constructions and operations must present provisions for basic services for the disabled clients.

The Procurement Approach

The intensive construction operations in the proposed project require a strategic methodology for procurement. It is also evident that the operations within the centre shall largely depend on a robust system for procurement. Therefore, all responsible teams must identify and employ transformative approaches to procurement. These considerations enable effective operations and completion of contrition and management tasks. The utilization of advanced technology is appropriate (Isbister & Bryant 2008, p. 20). This should be coupled with a high system for monitoring and evaluation. Particularly, all the procurement processes must be effectively monitored and recorded. This is important in alleviating instances of theft, material and monetary loss. Procurement entails the processes undertaken to obtain and convey raw material and service to the appropriate consumers.

The team involved in the development will ensure the extraction of maximum gain from the process of procurement. Ideally, there should be direct savings on the expenses. This must be attained through reduced prices. Value additions can also be applied to reinforce the existing procurement efficiencies. The application of procurement procedures such as freight efficiencies and visibility is critical in enhancing the successful operations. Relevant technologies must accompany the strategic procurement methodologies. An explicit explanation for all the costs to be incurred in acquiring the building materials is necessary (Siddique 2007, p. 50). Of course this involves all the raw materials, engineering works as well as the necessary fitments. These observations necessitate a comprehensive and strategic approach to procurement process.

The Project Location and the General Physical Environment

Observably, the proposed project location lies within a busy town environment. There is adequate transport network within the proposed area of location. Notably, the presence of other high rise buildings within this area provides an ambient environment for the location. The physical planning codes for the city provides effective benchmarks and control regulations for the development control process. The city of location provides ambient habitat for a large population. There is an adequate human resource and skilled personnel within the city. The presence of modern infrastructure and social amenities is important (Isbister & Bryant 2008, p. 31). The readily available information technology might be applicable to enhance the delivery of efficient services. The proposed development is uniform and fits the development control regulations stipulated by the physical planners. The area is dominated by high rise buildings and highly developed physical infrastructure. The nearby train station and airport offer crucial transport infrastructure. Generally, the proposed site of the project provides the best location and physical environment.

Micro and Macro Economic Factors

Exchange Rates

Sydney city enjoys the relatively stable Australian economy. The exchange rates are notably hospitable for global investors (Wang 2009, p. 12). Observably, the Australian dollar still holds a remarkable bargain within the international domain. This observation is likely to influence the proposed project in many ways. For instance, it might attract many international travels and negations within the centre. Consequently, this observation is bound to increase the capacity for global partnerships and operations.

Inflation

The high level of inflation noted in Australia and the NSW capital city is likely to have an important impact. The prices of basic commodities have increased (Nieuwenhuysen, Lloyd & Mead 2001, p. 61). The real estate has also been grossly affected by this high inflation rate. It is important to indicate the impact of high inflation on the development and operation of the CODCD centre. The acquisition of all building materials is likely to consume huge portion of the budgeted cash. The high inflation rate will also increase the wages to be given to the hired workers. In construction phase, the project team must adequately plan to meet the high wage demands from the casuals and skilled manpower.

Interest Rates

The transformations in the trend of interest rates charged by most Australian banks remain notable. The weak economy has been identified by most economists and policy makers. There has been greater attention on the commercial banks. The tough economic times have forced these commercial banks to significantly cut off their interest rates. The real estate sector has also remarkably transformed in this aspect (Isbister & Bryant 2008, p. 54). Basically, the interest charged on the mortgage has reduced. This trend is notable even in 2012.

Employment

The high inflation rate is likely to raise the amount of wages to be paid to all the workers. This is irrespective of whether they are skilled or not. On the other hand, there is readily available labour for the proposed project. The presence of highly skilled personnel in the city is observable (Davies 2012). Basically, it is indicated that the city provides a habitat for the most highly educated personalities in Australia. The intended global operations would also necessitate out sourcing critical human resource services. In this initiative, the neighbouring countries and states provide a better and potential niche for human resource. The University is also set to provide a potential source of manpower. This is notable during both the construction or development and operation stages. The graph below indicates the employment trends in western Sydney, Australia.

General Issues Likely to Affect the Proposed Project

Generally, Australia experiences an adequate state of political stability. This provides an ambient room for international investment, smooth business operations and growth. There are less stringent government policies regarding property development and investment. The environment within NSW provides a great condition for business growth and development. The government is democratically instituted. The federal government provides sufficient incentives and protection for massive property developers. This trend is also observable at the state level (Davies 2012). The city comprises of people or occupants with a multicultural background and orientation. This offers an appropriate platform for the acceptance of different personalities and cultures.

Ideally, the foreigners are able to enjoy their stay, work and intermingle expansively with the natives. The city occupants are generally sociable, charming and welcoming. This is a positive culture that is capable of promoting effective development and performance (Lenskyj 2002, p. 67). All developments within specified locations must meet the technical requirements outlined by the relevant state and federal agencies. The increased awareness of labour laws and processes within the area is notable. This implies that employee welfare must be adequately met. Generally, the construction industry is competitive and high skills and technical capacities are appropriate amongst the various intended project teams. The demands from both internal and external stakeholders must be adequately addressed.

Conclusion

The proposed CODCD project has several benefits for the university. The surrounding community and the global society are also set to benefit immensely. However, it is vital for various project teams to observe the impacts of the highlighted factors. To ensure project success, these factors must be adequately understood and factored in. Sustainability of the project must also be considered.

List of References

Attard, B 2010, The Economic History of Australia from 1788: An Introduction, Web.

CIE, (Centre for International Economics) 2009, Creative Industries Economic Analysis, Web.

Davies, G 2012, How is NSW growing? Part 3: Sydney’s employment growth 1996 to 2006, Web.

Higgins, H 1998, Employment without inflation, Transaction Publication, New Brunswick.

Isbister, H & Bryant, M 2008, Property: land your dream job!, Career FAQs, Ultimo, N.S.W.

Koulizos, P 2012, The Property Professor’s Top Australian Suburbs a Guide for Investors and Home Buyers, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken.

Lenskyj, H 2002, The best Olympics ever?: social impacts of Sydney 2000, State University of New York Press, Albany.

Nieuwenhuysen, P, Lloyd, P & Mead, M 2001, Reshaping Australia’s economy: growth with equity and sustainability, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Siddique, B 2007, Regionalism, trade and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, Elgar, Cheltenham.

Wang, P 2009, The economics of foreign exchange and global finance, Springer, Berlin.

Introduction

The environment is an important part of every human being. This is because it is what informs the quality of life that one leads. In essence, quality is defined by the environment or the surroundings that one has (Abraham 2006). Thus, maintaining a quality environment is usually on top of the agenda when it comes to establishing the kind of area that one is living in. We live in a society that seeks to ensure that development is achieved in all things.

It is worth noting that most of development projects within the society emanate from the construction which takes place within the society. In this case the buildings which are put up need to meet certain standards which are in line with the expectations of environmental sustainability as well as ensure that the quality of the building is in accordance with the stated regulations. It therefore follows that achieving sustainability is the role of the engineers (Jonker & Jan 2012).

Purpose of the report

The purpose of this report is to establish the main considerations which need to be put in mind when designing buildings. It brings to the fore the importance of engineering which is based on strategy as well as technology based on progress (Jonker & Jan 2012).

Preview of the themes

The main themes in this report evaluate the impact of the engineering projects on the environment.

In addition, this report seeks to evaluate some of the strategies which need to be put in place in order to ensure that the negative impacts of the future engineering projects are mitigated (Abraham 2006). This will be achieved through ensuring that some of the major objectives are realized.

These objectives include working towards ensuring that the maintenance of the options which are available meet a given criteria that is in tandem with the critical threats and objectives, secondly, identifying the critical threats with the intention of avoiding the threats to sustainability and lastly, being in a position of coming up with long term strategies which will work towards safeguarding the interests of the people as well as ensuring that the long term projects are beneficial to all the parties who are available (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). Background: The goals The goal of any society is to ensure that there is both growth and survival.

In order to achieve this, there is need to ensure that the projects and approaches which are put in place are sustainable and progressive. To achieve this goal, institutions and societies work towards creating more value than they consume. This is characterized by being innovative and creative amidst trying and tough times (Jonker & Jan 2012). The goal of the environment is to survive and prosper.

In order to achieve this sustainable environment and ecosystem needs to be put in place. Essentially, this goal can only be achieved if people cannot stop or reduce extracting heavy metals, and establishing buildings and constructions which are depleting the earth’s very resources (Jonker & Jan 2012).

The degradation which has been taking place in the environment due to inadequate engineering strategies has led to the wasting away of vital aspects of the society. Thus, a framework which is defined by the right strategies needs to be put in place. This is because, without such frameworks, the future of the projects will be put into jeopardy.

Furthermore, if these frameworks are not put in place, the chances of having sustainable projects and buildings in the future will not be guaranteed (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). Time is another important aspect when it comes to sustainable projects and buildings. This is because, projects are established based on time frames in which they will operate.

There is need to establish the positive and the negative effects of a given project within a given time frame (Abraham 2006). This will enable the engineers to be in a better position of establishing what aspects need to be given priority and which need tom be ignored. Consequently, the results which shall be attained will be in line with the objectives which will be worked towards (Wheeler & Beatley 2004).

Scope of the challenge of sustainability

Owing to the nature of the problems which are faced by the engineers, most of them will tend to work based on the opportunities which arise. This poses challenges to the nature of the sustainability of the work which shall be realized. Based on this, the nature of progress depends on the ability to address what has been happening in the past.

For instance, in developed countries, the effects of previous projects should be analyzed in light of the future anticipated projects. Through such ventures, the sustainability and the suitability of the buildings and nay projects will be realized (Jonker & Jan 2012).

Suitability of any project should be evaluated against the information and data which has been collected from other parties. In this case, engineers should work closely in consultation with other immediate stakeholders such as planners in order to be in a better position to provide and generate solutions to the prevailing circumstances.

Through this, effective solutions will be realized with regard to the problems which are prevailing in light of the challenges (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). The role of education One may ask, what role does education play in all these? Essentially, education forms a large portion of the process.

This is because education provides the thinking perspectives which are informed by the philosophy which informs the output or the products of an education system (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). In as much as we may seek to establish much better projects which are sustainable, it is equally worth mentioning the fact that the system of education has not really played sufficient or adequate role in addressing these issues.

Furthermore, the philosophy which was used in the previous society is the same philosophy which is still in use today. Therefore, the chances of having a changed approach to the issues which are affecting the society are almost brought to nil. In the current age, it is therefore important to integrate new versions of approaches with the better teaching and learning approaches.

Furthermore, the engineering curriculum should be able to provide a platform which will or can harmonize the traditional techniques of solving designs as well as the current trends. Through this, engineers will be more receptive when it comes to accepting criticisms of technology regarding the sustainability and suitability of projects within a given scope of time (Jonker & Jan 2012).

Conclusion

In conclusion, sustainability is an issue which needs to be addressed in every circle of development. This is because it informs the approaches which should be taken when working on a project. However, despite the importance of the subject, little has been achieved especially in light of the curriculum which is followed by the engineering students.

Thus, there is need to interrogate the best approaches that are bound to reinvigorate the engineering approaches and enhance creativity which will work towards solving some of the technological problems which are being faced. In this regard, technology will be able to provide solutions which will ensure that the problems which are presently being faced do not recur in the future

Reference

List Abraham, MA 2006, Sustainability science and engineering:defining principles, illustrated edn, Elsevier, New York.

Jonker, G & Jan, H 2012, Engineering for Sustainability:A Practical Guide for Sustainable Design, Elsevier, New York.

Wheeler, SM & Beatley, T 2004, The sustainable urban development reader, Routledge, New York.

Today, more than ever before, sustainability concerns are assuming a central role in any development process in most countries, in part, due to the increased challenges brought forward by a myriad of externalities such as global warming, acid rain and deforestation, among others. As a direct consequence of the germane issues demonstrated by sustainability concerns, governments around the world continue to orchestrate programmes and policy frameworks aimed at improving sustainability.

Estidama, discussed in the two articles, is one such integrated programme that has been carefully designed to renovate Abu Dhabi and make it the sustainability capital of the Middle East by the year 2030 (Estidama 2030 para. 1). It is the purpose of this essay to offer a critical summary of the two articles, in the process bringing into fore issues that are relevant to the Estidama Project.

The Estidama project is all about assuming an integrated and holistic approach to sustainable building design within the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In broad terms, the initiative aims to advance sustainability and improve livability in the emirate under the realm or domain of ‘Abu Dhabi Vision 2030’ (Estidama Advances para. 1).

Apart from devising guidelines that will ensure that any form of development within the emirate adheres to sustainable design, the initiative also aims to be a forerunner in ensuring the objective or unbiased growth of both residential and commercial developments incorporating sufficient greenery and landscaping (Estidama 2030 para. 2).

The Estidama initiative, according to experts in the construction and landscaping industry, is not only good for business, but will make Abu Dhabi a model emirate in terms of incorporating both local and built environment in the regional context. Of importance is the fact that the Estidama project, once complete, is anticipated to conserve energy and water use by up to 30 percent (Estidama 2030 para 6).

The landscaping industry is also set to benefit from the Estidama venture, and analysts predicts that business within the industry will double in volume to surpass Dhs60 bn by 2010 (Estidama 2030 para. 7). In consequence, experts within the landscaping industry agree that such a sustainable project is also beneficial to their own businesses since it will cushion them against extreme competition, dwindling profits and high expenses.

Many sustainability programs around the world have well-designed benchmarks for measuring performance, and Estidama is no exception. Indeed, Estidama is the first sustainability programme in the Arab World to launch a sustainability rating mechanism aimed at evaluating sustainability performance of a multiplicity of developments such as buildings, pavements, communities, city parks, highways, and villas (Estidama Advances para. 1).

The rating mechanism for Estidama development initiatives is known as Pearl Rating System (PRS), and encompass “…a Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS), a Pearl Community Rating System (PCRS) and a Pearl Villa Rating System (PVRS)” (Estidama Advances para. 2).

Of importance is the fact that these rating mechanisms provide a set of quantifiable strategies for rating sustainability performance of buildings, communities and villas using the four variables set out within Estidama Framework, that is, economy, environment, community and culture.

Moving on, it is also worth noting that Estidama rating mechanism addresses seven classes, namely, “Integrated Development Process, Natural Systems, Livable Communities and Buildings, Water, Energy Materials and Innovating Practice” (Estidama Advances para. 3).Credits as well as weights are awarded to each class depending on performance, with 1 credit point representing the lowest while 5 credit points represent the highest.

In measuring the sustainability performance of various types of developments, it serves the purpose of this paper to mention that the PBRS is applied to general buildings, retail outlets, institutions of learning, offices and multi-residential facilities, while PCRS is applied to facilities sustaining up to 1000 permanent residents (Estidama Advances para. 4).

Stakeholders are quick to point out that sustainability is the cornerstone of any new development and that the Estidama project will offer the necessary momentum to achieve Abu Dhabi vision 2030, hence transforming the emirate into a model of an international sustainable capital. It is also felt that the PRS will offer a dependable and consistent sustainability benchmark tool to be used in the region in line with Estidama’s cross-disciplinary strategy (Estidama Advances para. 6).

The PRS cover three stages, namely, the Pearl Design Rating (PDR), Pearl Construction Rating (PCR), and Pearl Operational Rating (POR). As the name suggests, the PDR within the Estidama framework is only engaged at the design phase of any development, not mentioning that it is applied until construction is complete.

The PCR, on its part, is applicable for two years after construction is complete whereas the POR is applied to evaluate the operational performance of an already complete project. In most occasions, POR is applied for a minimum of two years after a particular project has been completed and when such a project reaches a minimum tenancy of 80 percent (Estidama Advances para. 7).

All in all, it can be concluded that these rating mechanisms have not only assisted the Estidama initiative to ensure that sustainability targets are being dealt with through all stages of designing and developing projects, but they also offer a framework for meeting sustainable objectives by underlining water and energy efficiency, reduced use of motor vehicles, maximum selection of building materials, indoor and outdoor environment quality, resource preservation and conservation and, finally, reduction of waste (Estidama Advances para. 9-13).

Works Cited

Estidama 2030 to make Abu Dhabi the Sustainability Capital of Middle East. 2008. Web.

Estidama Advances the Arab’s World First Sustainability Rating System. 2010. Web.

Many nations throughout the world are faced with the challenge of climate change. The United Arab Emirates is not an exception to this problem. Over the years, the UAE has had an increased number of buildings under construction. This has resulted to the construction of impressive buildings and building projects that have resulted to spectacular buildings such as the Palm Jumeirah and Burj Dubai.

The construction of these buildings is respectable but at the same time, it has resulted to increased consumption of energy. This generated a need to search for better ways of construction that would reduce energy consumption and depletion of the existing natural resources even though the Emirates boasts of the worlds largest possession of these resources.

Consequently, the government in the United Arab Emirates resolved for the implementation of better and advanced construction strategies that would ensure energy was conserved therefore providing a solution to the increased rate of pollution that has been on a steady rise with the increase in the number of buildings.

This led to the introduction of green buildings in the Emirates as a sure method of decreasing energy wastage and pollution while at the same time commencing with their building activities to meet global environmental changes in the business world.

Several factors in the Emirates contribute to the consumption of large amounts of energy. This includes longer summers, desert conditions, little amount of rainfall and temperatures that range up to 40 degrees or higher. This causes them to rely heavily on applications that consume large amounts of energy such as air conditioning and the desalinization of water systems. This, in addition to the sky rocketing buildings gives enough evidence of the high energy consumption in the Emirates.

Adopting a better alternative in architectural designs and methods can lead to much reduced effects on the environment. In an interview carried out Habiba Al Marashi who is the chairperson of an environmental Group in Dubai known as Emirates Environmental Group she said ”Sustainable architecture is one of the many ways by which we can measurably minimize the impact of our growth on the ecosystem.

I would like to urge our designers and builders to look inwards towards our architectural traditions and heritage to seek solutions to make a truly greener and progressive UAE,” (Janardhan, 2010, par. 6).

Green buildings serve as a solution to the establishment of an environmentally sound system and creation of efficiency in daily activities by creating reasonable space using a better and improved integrated approach to building design and construction. As a result, an environment that is comfortable for everyday activities while at the same time reducing operational as well as maintenance costs can be achieved in the Emirates.

The green buildings are already being constructed in the Emirates and with time the strategy would be fully incorporated into the UAE. It has become essential for the UAE to assimilate this construction method in light of the current rate of energy depletion and exhaustion of natural resources as well as increased environmental pollution. Incorporation of the green building architectural designs is fundamental for a stable commercial and natural environment in the Emirates.

There are five prerequisites of green building which are already being implemented by architects as well as engineers in the Emirates. The fundamentals of green building include “sustainable sites, energy efficiency, water-use efficiency, environment-friendly materials and indoor environmental quality” (Janardhan, 2010, par. 10). It is an improvement that the engineers and designers of different buildings are incorporating one or more of these steps in construction of current buildings. However, a more holistic approach would be developed if all the fundamentals of green building would be incorporate in the construction of these buildings rather than using one or two of the prerequisites.

The Emirates are using the concepts of green building to employ energy-efficient strategies as well as incorporating the use of recycled materials and recyclables in the construction of buildings. This type of environmental- friendly designs ensures that full utilization of limited resources is achieved to satisfy both the needs of the architects and that of the consumers.

The green buildings encourage the conversion of solar energy into electricity for use in cooling since as mentioned earlier the temperatures in the Emirates can exceed 40 degrees. The electricity can also be used for heating. Other environmental conserving activities involve the use of high winds which can be converted into electricity using rooftop generators.

The green building project also utilizes technology in the conversion of municipal waste to biogas and useful bio-fertilizers. Water which happens to be a costly commodity in the Emirates due to the process of desalinization can also be conserved by preventing excessive consumption of water which is a strategy employed by the green buildings. If the United Arab Emirates incorporates the green building strategy, there would be lots of benefits accrued from it for the countries.

The Leadership in Energy and environmental Design (LEED) is a body which determines the number of factors that go into consideration for the determination of an appropriate green building project in different countries. Different countries have their own special specifications for a green building project due to various factors such as climate and the economic capabilities of the country.

The LEED uses a wide criterion so as to come up with different degrees of sustainability for different green buildings. For the UAE, the American LEED structure was modified to generate the LEED Emirates that has already been utilized in construction of green buildings in the UAE. One of the buildings that has been constructed using the LEED is the Pacific Controls Headquarters which is the first building that was constructed using the LEED in Middle East and about the 16^th throughout the world.

Some of the technologies that were used in the building for reduction of environmental degradation are “the Roof mounted photovoltaics powering daytime artificial lighting – A solar thermal air-conditioning system – CO2 monitoring for indoor air quality – Landscaped areas irrigated using rain water and recycled waste water – 50% of construction materials sourced locally – 10% of building materials by cost made from recycled goods” (Rashid, 2007, p. 5)

The development of the green building has led to increased awareness of the environment and the potential dangers other forms of construction have on the environmental condition of a country and of the entire world as a whole. Green building as led to reduced energy wastes and better strategies of construction that have ensured energy costs are minimized.

The UAE has employed the use of green building. As a result, there are various advantages that are going to accrue to the country due to the adaptation of the LEED Emirates strategy in construction. More building constructions that are based on LEED are yet to be constructed in the UAE and the benefits accruing to the use of this strategy would be visible after a period of time.

Reference

Janardhan, Meena. (2010, July 19). Land of Black Gold Focuses on Green Buildings. Web.

Rashid Al Maktoum. (2007, October). The Sustainable Vision of Dubai. Web.

Introduction

It is worth noting that green building assessment programs are aimed at studying the construction and operation of facilities on the issue of their compliance with the country standards. Each of the initiatives evaluates the impact that buildings have on the environment as well as the way these buildings were built and how they can be disposed of in the future. However, each program has its criteria for conformity and functionality. The main objective of all the programs in reducing the consumption of natural and energy resources during construction and afterward. The purpose of this paper is to review five different green building assessment programs and relevant case studies.

BREEAM

BREEAM is one of the leading methods of facility performance evaluation. This program displays an entire system of environmental assessment methods and conformity standards, and it describes the crucial construction characteristics comprehensively. The advantages of this approach to assessment lie in the fact that it allows designing buildings while improving their performance and life cycle with minimum land use and waste (BREEAM, n.d.). For instance, a positive impact on the initiative is evident in terms of Brandon’s primary school and its full compliance with the environmental criteria. During the design, construction, and management of the building the operating costs were reduced to the minimum, and the working conditions were improved significantly. The building meets all the standards and has a minimal impact on the natural environment (BREEAM, n.d.).

CASBEE

CASBEE is a national evaluation program, which is significantly different from the one described above. Even though it relies on the same criteria, the land-use factor has the greatest weight in this approach. One of the case studies that has been evaluated positively by this program is the multi-use cultural activity center in Japan (Aiina center, n.d.). Aiina center is evaluated as a highly functional facility that makes effective use of the land through remaining sustainable and causing minimum contamination to the environment.

Green Star

This system is similar to BREEAM; however, it has been revised and adapted to take the aspect of hot climate into account. The approach assesses the effectiveness of water and energy usage, as well as indoor air quality and transport links (Jurleit, 2015). For instance, according to Green Star, Flinders Medical Centre is an example of a multi-functional construction that has low levels of greenhouse gas emissions and applies the principle of sustainability.

DGNB

DGNB is one of the voluntary certification systems. It assesses the impact of buildings in terms of environmental, economic, functional, cultural, and social factors. The approach mustn’t consider the individual metrics but the overall efficiency of facilities (Jurleit, 2015). For example, the headquarters of Siemens has received the platinum certification from the program due to its overall high efficiency, multipurpose approach to facilities, and environmental friendliness.

LEED

The American system of certification is one of the most widely recognized approaches in the world (Jurleit, 2015). Many countries have adopted this system to their geographical, social, and economic peculiarities; nevertheless, the main criteria are universal for all states. As a rule, transnational corporations use this certification approach to assess their institutions. For example, Batten Hall (Harvard Innovation Lab) has been appraised by LEED as an efficient facility that indicated energy cost reduction, sufficient walking distances, and a tendency for reducing wastes.

Conclusion

In general, all of the evaluation programs are aimed at preserving and enhancing the quality of buildings and reducing their negative impact on the environment. They allow extending the design to consider the facility’s sustainability, utility, and comfort. Despite the active development of new construction technologies, the main criteria are identical in terms of energy efficiency, attention to the environment and health of citizens, and the reduction of emissions and hazardous wastes.

References

Aiina center. (n.d.). Web.

BREEAM. (n.d.). Brandon primary school. Web.

Jurleit, A. (2015). Think global certify local: Global comparability and regional adaptation for community certification systems. Hamburg, Germany: Books on Demand.

Key Concepts

The concept of global warming constitutes one of the strongest driving forces beyond the popularization of green building. Due to its enormous popularity and public recognition, it contributed to the demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices on an industrial scale.

Building information modeling (BIM) is a practice of creating a 3D-model using software tools to project, evaluate, transmit, and store data on buildings. Its introduction greatly improved the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the planning phase of building design and thus contributed to its sustainability.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive attempt to evaluate the long-term impact of the structure on the environment. Since it allows to identify and weight the areas of influence, it is important for designing green buildings that are demonstrably sustainable.

One of the aspects of LCA is life cycle costing, which evaluates the financial cost of the design and maintenance of the building and is important for estimating the expenses associated with green buildings’ characteristics.

Drivers

The demand for energy consumption increases exponentially. This leads to a situation where some structures become needlessly demanding and, in some cases, unsustainable. Green buildings aim at addressing the effect of introducing efficient consumption and smart energy generation.

Growing awareness of the adverse environmental effects of traditional building techniques prompts stakeholders to seek more sustainable ways of building.

Many aspects of the traditional building are either poorly compatible with modern health standards or have inherent flaws that lead to detrimental health effects of its users. Green building techniques improve the well-being of its inhabitants and, in the case of corporate structures, serve as an addition to corporate responsibility programs. Besides, the improved environment results in customer satisfaction and employee retention.

In the case of corporate customers, green buildings allow to strengthen the reputation and improve brand image by communicating the readiness to address environmental issues and take responsibility for their actions.

The communication opportunities created by the information age resulted in a dramatic surge in demand for transparency. As a result, the company is expected to be held accountable for the provided services. Green building is, therefore, necessary for compliance with the new standards.

Barriers

Legal regulations: Many standards and systems exist for green building in different countries, and some jurisdictions do not have standards at all.

Cost: currently, the materials and equipment required to comply with the standards can be more costly than its traditional counterpart.

Technological proficiency: some of the elements used in the green buildings (e.g. solar panels, heat redistributors, and accumulators) require significant sophistication to ensure sustainability.

Amount of change: on many occasions, the combined volume of legal, organizational, administrative, and ethical change required for the transition discourages the companies from utilizing the green building.

Lack of understanding: some customers do not have a correct understanding of the benefits of green buildings due to poor communication or distortion and misinterpretation of data and are therefore reluctant to adopt the practices.

Certifications

Five certification systems are CASBEE, LEED, BREEAM, Green Globes, and Green Star. BREEAM is one of the oldest systems and is therefore widely presented around the world. It takes an encompassing approach by introducing multiple standards and modules for different areas. The assessment takes a cumulative approach by calculating points for compliance with set goals in each of several categories.

Green Globes is a recently introduced system that incorporates three modules – for existing buildings, structures under construction or significant renovation, and assessment of commercial interiors. It is web-based and flexible and applicable to a wide range of facilities. The evaluation process requires the assistance of a team and a project manager. It is built upon existing systems and is simplified and streamlined for a seamless certification process.

Abstract

The amount of waste generated in construction and demolition (D&C) processes is enormous and is considered the largest portion of global waste. Waste generation statistics from countries indicate a range of 34% in Europe to up to 65% in Hong Kong. This significant amount of generated waste by the construction industry is a growing problem that requires planning, management, and monitoring. At present, several studies on efficient C&D waste minimization and management have been conducted, however, there are insufficient decision-making tools to support effective construction waste minimization evaluation and implementation throughout a project’s life cycle. A limited but growing body of recent literature suggests that building information modeling (BIM) has the potential to assist stakeholders to minimize waste on their projects. It is suggested that BIM helps project participants improve the processes and technologies in the planning, design, construction, and demolition phases, thereby managing and minimizing C&D waste efficiently.

Through a review of current literature and conducted case studies this paper will investigate the limitations of C&D waste minimization and management and identifies the opportunities BIM can provide to minimize waste more efficiently throughout the planning, design, construction, and demolition phases of a project.

Introduction

The amount of construction waste that can be produced either during the process of building or demolition of a certain object is tremendous. As this issue has been more prevalent within the last several decades, many scholars have conducted studies focused on effective C&D (construction and demolition) waste management and its reduction to the lowest possible minimum. Nevertheless, 8 technology-related and 21 process-related limitations regarding appropriate waste management remain unresolved to the present moment. BIM (building information modeling) implies a digital process of a particular building’s erection. It assists engineers and architects in such activities as designing, planning, constructing, and demolishing projected buildings. Hence, these operations also help professional engineers to manage and minimize all the C&D waste that is expected to be generated in real-life conditions. Therefore, BIM is a helpful technology that can be used to consider and prevent potential accidents or actions that might lead to an increase in construction waste. Not only is the use of BIM essential in the process of planning a building, but it is also an indispensable tool for overall efficient C&D waste management.

Limitations in the Use of BIM

As mentioned in the introduction section above, Won and Cheng (2017) outlined 21 limitations regarding the minimization and appropriate management of C&D waste. The authors claim that “C&D waste minimization is generally classified into reduction, reuse, and recycling” (Won and Cheng 2017, p. 4). If the production of C&D waste seems to be inevitable, it is necessary to reuse all the generated materials or utilize them in one of the multiple disposal enterprises. All the limitations outlined in the relevant table by Won and Cheng (2017) are divided into three different categories: technology-related, process-related, and policy-related. All the process-related limitations are fully listed in the following context:

• The first limitation implies the extended period of storing C&D waste in the territory of an object’s building.
• The second issue is presented by the calculations of engineers who disregarded the important strategies of C&D waste management during the process of planning.
• The third limitation occurs if the amount and types of waste were not identified for separate phases of erection (Zhang et al. 2015).
• The fourth issue occurs when people without appropriate education use BIM not effectively
• The fifth issue can appear due to the absence of analyses intended to outline several possibilities to reuse all the available materials.
• The sixth process-related limitation is the lack of optimization regarding the design intended to minimize the number of necessary building materials.
• The next limitation can occur due to frequent changes in the design of the project (Zhang et al. 2015).
• Some elements of the erected project were neither measured nor considered during the process of engineering.
• The ninth limitation implies the presence of excessive materials that might cause fractions of other pieces situated in the construction territory.
• The tenth issue is determined by the untracked movement of C&D waste and unawareness of its final destination.
• The lack of space necessary for efficient C&D management.
• The twelfth limitation can occur if necessary materials are not stored appropriately in areas protected from adverse impacts of weather.
• According to Arayici et al. (2018, p. 171), inefficient sorting of C&D waste also might present a limitation to its management.
• The fourteenth issue emerges if waste is not kept in specific containers covered with plastic.
• The fifteenth limitation is based on a coordinator’s irresponsible approach to his or her work. This employee is often not even hired by investors of the project.
• The next issue could be present if no one contributed to the process of C&D waste management during the phase of construction.
• The seventeenth limitation implies the lack of communications among workers that are supposed to discuss the management of the generated waste (Zhang et al. 2015).
• All the actions and responsibilities regarding C&D waste management were not planned, whereas the relevant responsibilities were not delegated to workers.
• The nineteenth issue occurs if separate elements of work are not done according to the initial project.
• To avoid all the limitations mentioned above, it is essential to keep the working territory well organized and clean (Zhang et al. 2015).
• Finally, the last limitation might appear if the generation of additional C&D waste was not prevented in advance.

All the limitations from the list are detected and recorded by Won and Cheng (2017). To outline such an extended number of issues that can be solved or remain unavoidable when BIM is used in the process of construction, the authors observed several objects and stated the problems that they had a chance to witness in these territories. It is an interesting fact that the discussed research was performed in Hong Kong, where massive residence buildings and multiple skyscrapers are located. Therefore, all the information present in this section can be considered reliable and relevant to BIM uses.

Technology and policy-related Limitations

As all the organizational moments were described in the previous section with process-related limitations, the following context will present a list of issues that can occur during different stages of the project’s realization and are based on certain technological rules and policies as to the management of C&D waste. Won and Cheng (2017) claim that “poor procurement and planning can lead to additional construction waste generation due to long storage periods of materials on-site and raw material residue” (p. 5). Therefore, it is important for engineers, builders, architects, and all other individuals contributing to the process of construction to avoid violating the following limitations (technology-related):

• The precise amount of materials necessary for erection was neither calculated nor accurately assessed at the beginning.
• Out-dated equipment and systems were not replaced by new tools.
• The next limitation is presented by unused materials that are made of recycling components.
• The fourth issue occurs if “prefabrication or industrialized systems that generate limited C&D waste were not commonly used” (Won and Cheng 2017, p. 5).
• The spreading of used materials around the working territory if small containers are not used to store C&D waste outside.
• The sixth limitation can be observed if all the equipment set to reuse, sort, and recycle the waste is not used regularly.
• Another issue appears when the appropriate C&D waste management system is not used frequently.
• Finally, the last limitation on this list implies workers’ refusal to implement innovative methods and techniques to demolish buildings, which has a tremendously adverse impact on the environment in the territories adjacent to the object.

The article by Won and Cheng (2017) also observes and provides a list of policy-related limitations regarding the management of C&D waste. A table displayed in the text identifies the category of each limitation and determines the phase during which a certain event has to be considered and prevented in future projects. Won and Cheng (2017) outline 13 policy-related limitations. All of them are listed below:

• The first limitation occurs if the process of C&D waste management is not considered by engineers and architects at the initial stage of their projects.
• The second issue is prevalent when the regulations and instructions for the person responsible for C&D waste management are disregarded.
• The recommended packaging materials for storing waste are not used by builders.
• The next limitation occurs if subcontractors responsible for the management of C&D waste do not sign all the documents imposing the relevant duties on them in advance.
• All the rules, regulations, and essential instructions as to the waste management must be presented to builders who work on the project. Otherwise, an enormous amount of time will be required to fix all the unaddressed issues at the end.
• The sixth issue is common if the development of the C&D waste charging schemes is not accomplished.
• The lack of financial means is a significant problem that might stop the process of C&D waste management.
• To avoid the eighth limitation, it is advantageous to secure all the markets to sell materials that can be recycled in the future.
• The next issue can only be prevented by appropriate management of both C&D and R&D.
• Another crucial limitation appears if not all participants of the building project are informed about the importance of C&D waste management.
• The eleventh issue can be witnessed if, “C&D waste minimization cultures within institutions were rarely set up” (Won and Cheng 2017, p. 6).
• Finally, the last limitation is evident when particular considerations regarding the impact on adjacent territories and the environment, in general, are ignored.

The article written by Wu et al. (2014) emphasizes the importance of quantification about C&D waste management. The authors claim that different types of limitations, outlined previously, can be prevented or averted with the help of accurate and precise preliminary calculations and quantifications. In turn, the article by Arayici et al. (2018) identifies another limitation that implies the negative influence of building processes on neighboring territories. Indeed, the problem was stated before, but the authors suggested a solution to the specific limitations mentioned that required the installation of higher fences or specifically produced cloth that stops all the dust from spreading among houses and offices situated nearby. Moreover, the study by Arayici et al. (2018) is aimed at energy-saving activities that cannot be realized currently because of particular limitations in both planning and trading contexts: “This scenario illustrates how an energy-efficient building or a group of buildings and its neighborhood can be analyzed and holistically optimized throughout the whole life cycle” (Arayici et al. 2018, p. 171). In conclusion, it must be stated that energy-saving activities are also related to the use of BIM because this strategy can prevent various issues that often occur during the process of construction with wired electricity (wire breaking, short circuits, and so on).

Potential BIM Uses

The main intention of BIM is to minimize the amount of C&D waste that is generated during the process of building. The article by Won and Cheng (2017) outlines 8 potential BIM uses and determines relationships between them, along with several practices aimed at C&D waste management and the reduction of waste to the possible minimum. The following list presents some of the authors’ suggestions regarding the possible benefits from the implementation of BIM:

• Digital project creation; one of the most important BIM uses performed at the phase of planning.
• Estimation of expenses required for efficient waste management at the phase planning.
• Review of the building’s design; another essential BIM use that is frequently conducted at the phase of design.
• 3D coordination, which can avert several practices that are expected to produce a major part of C&D waste. This activity can be performed during the process of the project’s design or construction. Moreover, professional engineers are recommended to edit the 3D model of various elements they work on to prevent issues that emerge during the construction term.
• Site utilization planning; beneficial for immediate disposal of C&D waste. It is recommended to perform this BIM use at the stage of construction.
• Design of construction systems, which will help a contraction team of workers to understand what equipment they will be required to use when approaching particular elements of the object. Usually, this use is set at the stage of planning.
• Digital fabrication; this reveals all the possible imperfections at the phase of planning (Hardin and McCool 2015).
• 3D planning and control of the construction progress, which must be generated at the stage of construction.

In turn, the article was written by Chou and Chen (2017) identifies several more BIM uses intended to minimize and establish proper management of C&D waste. The authors base their study on observations of building processes in Taiwan. They also claim that there are a tremendous number of difficulties when it comes to BIM uses because the majority of engineers are not trained to work with this method (Chou and Chen 2017). Therefore, it is necessary to teach both architects and builders on how to use the 3D models. However, another BIM use determined by the scholars brings into question whether or not this method helps address a so-called beneficial index. There are three major derivatives of this index: “RCR means the effects of reducing costs associated with rework; SDR & DPR mean the effects of mitigating delays that occur due to construction interface coordination or rework, as well as the effects of reducing the penalty costs associated with overdue delivery; AQE means the effects of improving the ability to estimate the amounts of building materials and resources” (Chou and Chen 2017, p. 2). Another benefit of the suggested BIM is the reduction of investments required to manage C&D waste efficiently.

Cheng and Ma (2013) focus their research on a technical part of BIM implementation, also known as the phase of projecting. Therefore, the BIM use identified in this context is beneficial for the identification of potential C&D waste generation and its early prevention. Although this function was already discussed in the previous section of the paper, Cheng and Ma (2013) suggest using BIM practices to evaluate the amount of future C&D waste that can be produced by every element of a building. The system requires a formula to be entered in a specific space, which will be later used with squares and other measures of each part of the building (floors, doors, walls, columns, windows, etc.) (Akinade et al. 2015). This function also reduces the time needed to assess all the potential waste and demonstrate the most dangerous parts of the building.

Rajendran and Gomez (2012) emphasize the fact that “waste could be minimized through designing-out-waste by using BIM tools” (p. 559). In turn, their colleagues Ahankoob et al. (2012) observe several BIM uses, including prefabrication, design validation, and quantity take-off. The authors of these two articles also agree on the point that, “clash detection and design review have high potential to reduce construction waste generated on construction sites by virtually identifying during design phase those constructability issues that can be resolved ahead of time” (Ahankoob et al. 2012, p. 197). According to what was said above, it is clear that this manner of BIM implementation appears to be the most beneficial method for owners of different projects due to the sensible reduction of both initial and supporting investments.

Discussion

As mentioned previously, BIM is a piece of software that offers enhanced opportunities for the creation of future building projects. With its use, engineers can identify ways to minimize or even eliminate possible C&D waste (Hardin and McCool 2015). Although the main aim of such computer programs is to assess projects delivered by architects, it can also be successfully used as a platform for risk management and prevention of C&D waste generation. The program demonstrates all the possible defects or changes that occur as consequences of particular actions (for example, wall replacement and floor rearrangement) (Hardin and McCool 2015). Nowadays, C&D waste minimization and appropriate management are crucial to minimizing adverse impacts on the environment. Indeed, this practice is relatively new to the construction industry, but it is inevitable due to various cities that develop rapidly and negatively affect the surrounding nature by dumping all the superfluous materials that are unable to decompose.

In their article, Ding et al. (2017) discuss the importance of C&D management at both the construction and design stages of the project. Their research also discusses the technological progress and urbanization of China. It appears that the Asian country faces the problem of inappropriate C&D waste management more than any other region on Earth. However, Ding et al. (2017) claim that the efficient implementation of BIM can reduce approximately 40% of the amount of general waste in the country. According to the article, it seems that construction waste quantities increase rapidly as the stage of erection goes on. Hence, investors are obliged to deal only with 5 tons of the waste by the eighth month of their projects, whereas in 22 more months they will have to manage approximately 17 tons without the use of BMI (Ding et al. 2017). According to another scenario with BMI, the general quantity of the produced waste is expected to amount to only 500 kilograms by the eighth month (Ding et al. 2017). In comparison, this number will increase by 3 times in the 22 following months.

The research conducted by Liu et al. (2015) observes the situation regarding C&D waste minimization in the United Kingdom. Indeed, the amount of generated waste here is not comparable to that of China’s. Nevertheless, the environment of the European country is also adversely affected by numerous architectural projects being erected in it due to the relatively small surface area of Great Britain. According to Liu et al. (2015), local engineers use BIM to elaborate on the details of their projects. This aspect also appears to be significant in C&D waste minimization. To make an accurate model of a certain building, a specialist has to consider every detail of it (attachments, columns, windows, design solutions, and so on). Such precise work gives people a fuller understanding of what actions they are required to perform to receive the planned digital model in real life (Liu et al., 2015). As every stage of the building is planned, it is clear what materials should be purchased and how they will be implemented in the process of erection (Liu et al., 2015). Multiple projects have been built with the help of this approach and it is common among British engineers due to the economical use of all the necessary materials that do not turn into wastewater.

In their work, Akinade et al. (2015) appraise the existing methods regarding the use of BIM in the prevention and minimization of C&D waste. The authors of the article determined 32 tools for waste management that were outlined under five separate categories. These categories include: “(a) waste management plan templates and guides, (b) waste data collection and audit tools, (c) waste quantification models, (d) waste prediction tools, and (e) geographic information system (GIS)-enabled waste tools” (Akinade et al. 2015, p. 3). Particular evaluation criteria identified by the work’s authors were used to compare the effectiveness of all these tools. It is an interesting fact that almost all waste quantification models made with the help of BIM functions appeared to be the most productive activities regarding C&D waste minimization during the building stages.

Conclusion

Some of the identified process-related limitations in the use of BIM are the following: the extended period of storing C&D waste, strategies of C&D waste management disregarded by engineers during the process of planning, no identification of waste type for separate phases of erection, the lack of optimization about design, frequent changes in the project’s design, untracked movement of C&D waste and little awareness of its destination point, coordinator’s irresponsible approach to his or her work, etc. (Won and Cheng 2017).

Among technology limitations, the lack of calculation of the precise amount of materials needed for an erection, outdated equipment, the spreading of materials around the territory, the inability to use equipment that is specifically set up for waste recycling, and workers’ inability to implement innovations negatively affect the management of C&D waste (Zhang et al. 2015). Policy-related limitations include the inability of engineers to consider the process of C&D management during the initial project stage, the unwillingness of workers to adhere to C&D waste management regulations, the inability to accomplish charging schemes, the lack of financial support for C&D management, employees’ unawareness of the C&D waste management and its significance, and the unawareness of how waste can affect the environment and adjacent territories (Won and Cheng 2017).

Although BIM was developed for project assessment mostly, it can be useful in evaluating and managing C&D waste because it can help predict waste generation, plan and prepare management strategies, identify constructability issues that can be addressed and if addressed correctly can lead to effective project management (Chou and Chen 2017). However, architects and engineers are not familiar with this method of using BMI as a tool for C&D waste management. Thus, although BIM can be used effectively to manage C&D waste, multiple barriers related to process, technology, and policies, as well as professionals’ unawareness of how this software can be used in waste management interfere with the implementation of the innovative strategy.

Reference List

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