Research Bank
Not a member yet
5195 research outputs found
Sort by
Techno-material and socio-environmental model for assessing urban sustainability
No full textThe term “sustainable development” first appeared as part of discussions regarding the capacity of natural ecosystems to support the current model of economic growth, assuming a strong concern with the preservation of the planet's environmental structures. Initially, these concerns were conceived on a global scale, but soon the need to bring the discussions to the urban locus - the impact of large human agglomerations on the territory and its natural resources - was realized. Thus, the local scale gained importance, since most of the environmental problems originate in the local urban structures and through the lifestyle that they advocate. Cities are serious consumers and degraders of the natural ecosystem, waterproofing soils, polluting the atmosphere, altering the landscape and consuming resources. Based on studies produced by French geographer Cyria Emelianoff and Brazilian economist Henri Acselrad, on the systematization of different representations and practices in urban sustainability, this research paper aims to introduce the design and development of an evaluation model able to assess the degree of sustainability using a techno-material and socio-environmental set of criteria. This model is intended to serve as a benchmark for both the formulation and evaluation of plans, projects and public policies focused on genuine sustainable developmen
Assessment of grease traps used in food services sector in Auckland
No full textFat, oil and grease (FOG) deposits in sewer systems is becoming a serious concern water industry. These deposits can come from both domestic and commercial wastewaters. Watercare has reported that 70% of the sewer blockages (in Auckland) is due to the material such as rags, wet wipes, wood, tissues, hygiene products, etc. that shouldn’t go down the flushing drain. These material can lead to blockage of pipes when combined with FOG. This study was about assessing the grease traps (GT) that are being used in food services sector in Auckland.
The purpose of this study was to address the key questions:
(i) How FOG deposits are actually formed?
(ii) What type of grease traps are used in small scale food service sector and how effective they area in terms of removing FOG at the source?
(iii) What are the issues and/or what is missing in terms of operation and maintenance of GTs?
A questionnaire was prepared to collect data such as type of food service, type of GT used and their sizes, type of fixtures that are used in the kitchen area, etc. This study showed that there are some issues re the way the GT are operated, maintained, and monitored (i.e. some regulatory gaps). The study also reviews the current compliance practice, and then provide some solutions that could lead to reduce FOG at source in order to mitigate pipe blockage
Modular construction and prefabrication for post disaster reconstruction projects : case studies and clients’ perspectives
Get PDFBenefits of modular construction for PDR
Industry opportunities & Participants need to make changes
Apartment construction duration: traditional vs offsite 3D volumetric
Construction cost: traditional vs offsite 3D volumetric
Factors affecting modular market
Off-site demand vs labour supply
Current off-site share of housing
PDR: 25 storey structure student housing building in Wolverhampton, UK
PDR: Little Hero Building: modular building in Melbourne
Urban disaster prototype modular buildings
Emergency housing case
Project intent and challenges
Project feedback
CASE STUDY: Kokohinau Marae (Edgecombe, N.Z.
Arts and play therapy in primary-school settings : a case study
No full textThe NZ context : children's mental health
What is play therapy?
The research project : APTE Partnership (Arts and Play Therapy Through Play)
Stage 1 : Decile 1 school in South Auckland
Key findings / themes
Participant voices
Next steps for the researc
Identifying the barriers to building back better : a case study of Christchurch (Ōtautahi), New Zealand
No full textBROAD FOCUS:
how to build sustainability into the city of Christchurch following the 2010-11 earthquakes
NARROW FOCUS:
the place of renewable energy in this process
RESEARCH METHODS:
• Key-informant interviews
• Informal meetings
• Participant observation
• Document analysis
• Official Information Act requests
We can’t agree on what constitutes “better”
Unintended consequences: doing good might be doing bad
Many want to build back the same (ChristChurch Cathedral)
Rebuild mandates (e.g. PPPs) and insurance payments reinforced this (“like for like” replacements)
Capital flight/lack of capital
That other city problem: Auckland
Governance structures: “confusopoly” & the “tragedy of the anti-commons”, alphabet agencies
CBD already in decline (BBB = Baptist churches, brothels & band practice rooms)
New environmental challenges: sinking city, rising sea, drinking water contaminatio
ပစ်တိုင်းေတာင် = Pyit-taing-htaung = Every time you toss it, it stands up
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can a community-based refugee camp experience that includes the building and occupation of vernacular architecture help address alienation and build resilience?
ABSTRACT
Currently, around 82 million people are displaced globally. Many of them are refugees who have been refused citizenship and have no access to fundamental human rights such as education, health care, work, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression. As we speak, refugees are among those who are vulnerable and in need of support. Through a comprehensive design approach and holistic solutions, architecture can help meet the needs of refugees.
Around 1.1 million refugees from Myanmar are situated in large refugee camps between Myanmar and its neighbouring countries, such as Thailand and Bangladesh. Some refugees have been living under these circumstances for over 30 years, which are still described as “temporary shelters” by the authorities. These camps are often isolated from the rest of the world, and refugees are required to live within restricted boundaries. Refugees are often left in the dark about when they will be resettled and where their future lives will occur. A small potion of refugees will be resettled to western countries with help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These include countries such as New Zealand, Australia, United States of America, Norway, Sweden, and more. Also, a significant problem lies within refugees’ transition phase after leaving the camp. This is caused by a lack of preparation and guidance when rebuilding their new lives in an entirely new place. However, out of 26.4 million refugees worldwide in 2020, only 34,400 refugees were resettled, and 251,000 refugees were returned to their counties of origin. This means that a long-term solution is needed in solving the refugee crisis, and architecture has the solution for creating meaningful places for millions of refugees who are still trapped in these refugee camps.
This research project aims to understand how architecture can promote hope and assist refugees’ within the refugee camp. The question for the research is: How can a community-based refugee camp experience that includes the building and occupation of vernacular architecture help address alienation and build resilience? The project will be approached with the mindset of refugees’ involvement and allowing them to create their own set of rules and use their own skill sets. Alongside this, a construction system will be developed that will be adaptable to those skill sets. Finally, the project will take full advantage of the limited natural resources available in their environment. It ensures their connectedness to the building and creates a sense of pride and ownership amongst the refugee community. The goal is to achieve an architecture that provides a safe space for refugees and a place where one feels a sense of belonging to motivate refugees to express, educate and prepare themselves for the upcoming future.
SITE: Nupo Temporary Shelter (UNHCR), Umphang District, Thailan
Exploring New Zealand agritourism opportunities for development towards achieving sustainability: A comparative study of three agritourism businesses in the South Island
No full textThis study explores agritourism in South Island, New Zealand, to describe its categories, to discover what motivates farmers to venture into agritourism, to illustrate how they are set up, and explore the diversification strategies applied by these agritourism businesses. An interpretivist research design was employed to be able to understand agritourism from the point of view of the farm owners. It used a case study method utilising interviews, observation, and document analysis. Three agritourism businesses were explored. This study found that the main categories of agritourism include a working farm, direct contact agritourism, and a working farm, indirect contact agritourism. The common drivers for agritourism venture revealed in this study are more of a social and cultural motivators, such as wanting to share their farm experiences with other people and to preserve the historical/cultural aspect of their place. Although the economic reasons were mentioned, it was not the primary reason why these farm owners ventured into agritourism. Their diversification strategies include farm tours, providing accommodation, and a retail shop selling goods produced from the farm. These farm owners are also attached to their land, therefore, their decisions for farm diversification are also rooted in protecting and keeping their agricultural land. As these agritourism businesses are small farms and are not situated in the main tourist destinations, it is recommended that future studies include bigger agritourism businesses that are located within major citie
A pathway into history
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can architectural space and form serve to narrate a significant piece of history?
ABSTRACT
After 40 years of rapid economic development in China, the rate of economic growth has begun to slow down. China faces many social and economic problems, such as trade wars, COVID-19, population ageing and climate change. These challenges cannot help but remind the Chinese people of the difficulties associated with modern China’s development process since 1840. Chinese people learn about modern Chinese history from when they are at junior high school, and it inspires young students to be brave and strong in the face of problems in their life. China has some memorials for specific historical incidents. However, no architecture commemorates or tells the whole legendary story of the rise of modern China. People mainly learn about this history from books and films. This research project explores how to narrate the development history of modern China through the language of architectural space. It aims to use architectural space to let people perceive, understand and commemorate this period of history in a new and more comprehensive way.
Many incidents related to the development process in modern China have occurred in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province, China. The site for this project is the location of a historic incident that took place in central Jinan and is now an inactive city-centre space. The project aims to achieve a multifunctional memorial architecture to connect different urban areas in relation to the site features.
This research will include the history of China’s development since 1840, with the aim of understanding the details of the country’s development process. Reviewing the development process of memorial architectures provides direction for the design concept. Anthony Vidler’s idea of warped space is investigated in this research to help generate the design concept. This design project also studies the theory of architectural narrative and phenomenology to promote the development of the design process.
This project integrates aspects of the urban structure of Jinan city centre by connecting the park, the commercial area and the square. It brings attraction and vitality to the inactive areas of the city centre. People are provided with a unique space experience. While they may not understand the form of this space, the experience and perception of the space will become part of people’s memory. When people recall the history of Chinese development that they learned in school, this space experience will be combined with the memories of the past, thus helping people to understand that period of history more deeply
Exploring experiences of self-made entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
Get PDFREAEARCH QUESTIONS:
RQ 1: Does education level impact the ability to be successful as an entrepreneur in Sri Lanka?
RQ 2: Does the Sri Lankan Government do enough to support the entrepreneurs of tomorrow in Sri Lanka?
RQ 3: Does family influence have an impact on entrepreneurs becoming successful in Sri Lanka?
RQ 4: Is there a proper mechanism to invest in new entrepreneurial ventures and providing entrepreneurial mentorship?
ABSTRACT:
Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of any economy. They are an important generator of wealth and in creating employment opportunities that improve the living standards and overall wellbeing of the society. Given their significance, it is important that researchers address the important question “What are the attributes that create a successful entrepreneur?”.
This study identifies the important role that family influence, education, and government influence have on creating a successful entrepreneur from an examination of entrepreneurial experiences in Sri Lanka. Data was collected using in-depth interviews of eight highly experienced and successful self made entrepreneurs from the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces of Sri Lanka.
The results differ according to the phase of business operation. In particular, the study showed that family influence was found to have more impact during the start and consolidation phases of a successful entrepreneurial venture, while education had a more profound impact during the initial start-up phase. Government influence, on the other hand, was found to have a minimal impact in creating a successful self-made entrepreneur
Indigenous voices : creating space in teaching and learning
Get PDFTe Noho Kotahitanga
Narrative approach
RabindranathTagore
Indigenous voices navigating our present day borders
Ko Papatuanuku aha