Describe the challenges faced by designers and constructors in producing a "sustainable" built environment

Describe the challenges faced by designers and constructors in producing a "sustainable" built environment Designers and constructors are faced with many challenges when producing a sustainable built environment. These include challenges set by the UK Government, eco-friendly organisations, and the general public. These challenges are connected with the waste energy produced by the building after construction, the waste products of the construction process, the surrounding environment of the building and its geographical position. One of the most important concerns to a "sustainable" built environment is energy conservation. Energy usage can be lowered by using passive heating, natural lighting and high insulation. This would mean that the building would use less electricity/gas on heating and lighting as the high insulation would keep the building warmer and artificial lighting would only be needed in the evening. The amount of energy used should also be monitored; this would allow a more effective use of energy. Also, renewable energy should be used where possible. For example the use of micro wind turbines is encouraged, as is the use of sunlight for photovoltaic generation. Water too can be recycled and conserved. Rainwater can be collected and used along with recycled waste water and be used for flushing and other non-sanitary utilities, this is known as increasing

  • Word count: 1382
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Discuss whether good governance depoliticises development, and if it does, discuss the negative or positive implications of such.

Discuss whether good governance depoliticises development, and if it does, discuss the negative or positive implications of such. Introduction A plethora of developmental theorists and realists have always sought to define, propose and adopt a proper and perfect development route at both national and continental scales. At large, development has always been understood as much more of a socio-political phenomenon vis-à-vis economic progression. However, the upsurge of planned economies meant a shift from the view that was expansively held. With the emergence of concepts such as good governance, democracy and such, development has come to be understood along the lines of economies, as thus extracting the political aspect from development. Societal relations and relations between State and civil society has evolved to assume a shape determined by political and economical development. The evolution is always typified by the emergence of mode of practice and norms such as democracy, good governance, rule of law, and some other aspects that are axiomatically viewed as concomitant to development. Hypothetically, good governance involves a variety of characteristics. These include issues such as participation, consensus orientation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, equity and inclusivity and the rule of law. It assures that corruption is

  • Word count: 2820
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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ecological footprint

"More so than any other issue facing us we must all start to reduce our ecological footprint" Yes, we must start to reduce our ecological footprint as developement of the world over the past 20 years has proven to be unsustainable. Meaning that we are actually living beyond our means e.g. A quarter of all fish stocks are overharvested, Humans now use between 40% and 50% of all available freshwater running off the land and deforestation increase risks of various deadly diseases such as malaria and cholera. Our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet and this can certainly not be sustained. To be sustainable, nature's resources must only be used at a rate which they can be replenished naturally. Scientific evidence shows now that humanity is living in n unsustainable way. Humans are consuming the Earth's limited natural resources more rapidly than they are being replaced by nature. Now a human effort to keep human use of natural resources within the sustainable development aspect of the Earth's finite resource limits is now an issue of huge importance to the present and future of humanity. "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." As our world population increases rapidly our use of natural resources cannot go on forever and unless we start to

  • Word count: 1245
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Proposal of Development of Environmental Education in Hong Kong. Aim - develop a mechanism for enhancing Hong Kong government and NGOs cooperation in implementing Environmental education and public awareness activities.

Proposal of Development of Environmental Education in Hong Kong Content . Theme of the project 2. Introduction: 3. Objectives and Target Groups 4. Major activities of the project 5. Ecotourism in Hong Kong 6. Planning for the project 7. In-house Staffing 8. Project Management 9. Expected External Funds 0. Project Budget 1. Evaluation of achievements 2.Reference . Theme of the project To develop a mechanism for enhancing Hong Kong government and NGOs cooperation in implementing Environmental education and public awareness activities. 2. Introduction: In recent years, problems such as inappropriate development, population growth, food production, natural resources and energy consumption issues, have been recognised as being intricate issues that are linked directly to environmental issues. Through the new concept of environmental education, it is clarified that all fields related to the establishment of 'sustainable society', are the target of environmental education activities and it is necessary for the purpose of tackling urgent environmental issues as well as taking a broad view. Environmental education is the transformation of knowledge, information and method of practice to a public citizens, enable then to modify their overall behaviour towards the realisation of a sustainable society by fostering their behavioral and opinion changes. The exact

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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What is the most appropriate level of government from which to develop and apply regional polices? Consider this question from the point of view of regional policy in contemporary Europe.

What is the most appropriate level of government from which to develop and apply regional polices? Consider this question from the point of view of regional policy in contemporary Europe. Within each country there are areas that have differing levels of income per capita meaning that the inhabitants of the area may have a different standard of living. This is generally caused by the location of employment and the movement of labour force to those areas, leaving home areas with fewer resources to live with, thus cause disparities within regions (areas of statistical analysis). These regions will therefore be generally poorer resourced and will need to either help itself or be helped by richer areas in order to get to a level that is acceptable. It is generally wanted that all areas become equal and can compete with one another effectively in order to get economically efficient. In order to do these governments must develop policies, which help these regions (regional policy). These can either be developed at the level of the region's government, in Europe this would be the member state for example the UK i.e. Westminster, or at the higher level of government i.e. the European Union (EU) commission in Brussels. It is important for each region to get the right policies for itself as differing regions will need differing forms of help therefore the level at which these

  • Word count: 2048
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Land Use Strategy for Hotel Development in Hong Kong.

Centre of Urban Planning & Environmental Management University of Hong Kong Course: Introduction to Sectoral Planning To: Dr. H T Dimitriou From: Mason Hung Chung Hing LAND USE STRATEGY FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG Contents Chapter 1 Introduction .1 Aims of the Paper .2 Scope of the Paper .3 Method of Study Chapter 2 Economic and Social Importance of Tourism Industry in Hong Kong 2.1 Visitor Expenditure 2.2 Employment 2.3 Standard of Living 2.4 Government Revenue 2.5 Conclusion Chapter 3 Recent Visitor and Hotel Development Trends 3.1 Visitor Trends 3.2 Hotel Development Trends 3.3 Hotel Supply Situation 3.4 Development Economics Chapter 4 Land Use Planning & Land and Building Controls on Hotel Development 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Building Administration 4.3 Land Use Planning 4.4 Land Administration Chapter 5 Proposed Land Use Measures 5.1 Short Term Measures 5.2 Medium & Long Term Measures Chapter 6 Conclusions References Chapter 1 Introduction .1 Aim of the paper The tourism industry in Hong Kong a major contributor to the economy of Hong Kong. The hotel industry plays an integral role in this. The industry is facing a range of constraints at present which include general economic factors, such as inflation, labour shortage and high labour cost and specific threats, such as airport capacity. Perhaps the most

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Briefly describe and evaluate Piaget(TM)s theory of cognitive development, taking into account some of criticism that have been made .

Briefly describe and evaluate Piaget's theory of cognitive development, taking into account some of criticism that have been made . Piaget contended that cognitive development can be divided into four stages. In this essay I will examine each stage individually and then evaluate Piaget's theories by exploring some of the major criticisms and supporting views. For the purpose of this essay I will explain what cognitive theory of development is. Cognitive theory is concerned with the development of a person's thought processes. It also looks at how these thought processes influence how we understand and interact with the world. It very important to study cognitive development because of its relevance to education. Cognitive developments depend in part on children's level of intelligence, and on the way in which measured intelligence develops during childhood. The most well-known and influential theory of cognitive development is that of swiss psychologist Jean Piaget. Piaget's theory, first published in 1952, grew out of decades of extensive observation of children. Piaget was interested in how children reacted to their environment. In the other words how children learn and adapt to the world .He was mainly interested in the biological influences on "how we come to know "Piaget believed that what distinguishes human beings from other animals is our ability to do "abstract

  • Word count: 2299
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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The reality of Africa's situation internationally has checked the movement for unity within the continent. Discuss.

Prof. P. Woodward African G&P The reality of Africa's situation internationally has checked the movement for unity within the continent. Discuss. Janek Mikulin Following independence most African states had closer ties, especially in the economic field, with outside states than they had with each other, and foreign powers thus exercised considerable leverage within the continent. This applied especially to the former colonial powers since the 'mother country' was normally the new states' principal trading partner; economic, financial and cultural links between France and its former colonies (except Guinea) were particularly close.1 Tordoff's bold statement seems, initially, to make this a one-sided debate, with the result a foregone conclusion. However, if we take a closer look at the details we can see that the African model is not so unilinear in construction. This essay shall explore the various movements made towards and away from unity in the African continent. It shall highlight how the climate, mood and impetus have changed over time through both internal, domestic, influences and those from the international community as a whole. As Tordoff illustrates, there have been many differing organisations that have had varied success in achieving regional or, in some cases, continental cooperation in both the economic and political spectra. 2 These movements'

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Development Economics

Development Economics Module Code - AFEEC2013 Module Leader - Cliff Baker Carlos Acle Cervera Erasmus Student " To the dismay of the purist, but not to the development practitioner, it is difficult to give one precise meaning to the term economic development" G.M. Meier Though the progresses realized on the planet during the last half century are definitely undeniable, the enormous gap between the rich countries (or developed) and the poor countries (or underdeveloped) continues to be a player and one of the main characteristics of the world's economy. A recent report by the United Nations summarize the current difficulties of the economic world: there are approximately 800 million persons who continue to exist without the proper alimentation and around 34.000 children die annually from famine and preventable illnesses. Approximately seventeen million individuals die this year alone from infectious and parasitic illnesses such as the diarrhoea, malaria and tuberculosis - illnesses that have already disappeared in rich countries; the fourth part of the world's population, that is approximately 1.300 million individuals continue to live in absolute poverty, without covering the basic needs such as drinkable water, shelter and health care; there are 35 millions of displeased or sheltered; eighty percent of the world's AIDS community lives in Third World countries

  • Word count: 1789
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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AGRICULTURA DE SUBSUSTENCIA, NUEVA AGRICULTURA Y HAMBRE EN AMRICA LATINA. UNA VISIN A PARTIR DE BRASIL

AGRICULTURA DE SUBSUSTENCIA, NUEVA AGRICULTURA Y HAMBRE EN AMÉRICA LATINA. UNA VISIÓN A PARTIR DE BRASIL Introducción Desde los años setenta, en América Latina se están produciendo cambios, en la cuestión latifundio-minifundio, cambios en los que se explicarían al encontrar los nexos entre agricultura y hambre. Encontrar estos nexos no está exento de dificultad ya que también intervienen factores externos, como las rápidas y profundas transformaciones del sistema capitalista mundial y las condiciones domésticas, están generando una nueva forma d inserción de América Latina en la economía mundial. En los setenta, la descentralización industrial y la facilidad económica, favoreció en crecimiento a costa del endeudamiento externo. También se vieron reforzados los vínculos con el exterior, al inmigrar empresas extranjeras, que al mismo tiempo modernizaron la agricultura. Este crecimiento se vio seriamente afectado a principios de los ochenta, la crisis internacional, destacando Brasil que era responsable del 60% de las exportaciones. Ahora ha habido un cambio de actores, mientras que se sufre un proceso de fragmentación/globalización, aunque también aparece la figura de las Organizaciones No Gubernamentales (ONGs), los bancos y corporaciones son los organizan el proceso de revalorización del territorio. Las nuevas tendencias, van afectar

  • Word count: 5088
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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