63 research outputs found
Co-creating water efficiency with water customer
No full textComplex issues surround supply, demand and use of water in buildings and the lack of evidence hampers design and optimal solution implementation. One challenge is the lack of a coherent understanding of water use, as influenced by the water user. The need for this evidence base has resulted in disparate studies and results. This chapter argues for a difference approach to knowledge creation based on the co-creation approach. The primary evidence gap centres on water-in-use, but co-creation techniques can involve individuals/households creating value through adopting and customising technological innovation to suit their needs, and promote knowledge exchange with customers personalising and redefining their interaction with water. It also argues that acknowledging water users in an active and creative vein empowers them to contribute knowledge (to the evidence base) and solutions for water use efficiency. The chapter concludes by presenting information systems and technologies as a simple, adaptable and effective way to implement co-creation with water. A toolkit developed for co-creation with water users was then introduced, highlighting key benefits of such systems to improve current knowledge of water use efficiency in buildings
Water policy and regulations: a UK perspective
No full textThe water industry and the regulatory processes in the UK offer unique policy challenges and opportunities. This affects the extent to which the efficient management and use of water resources can be promoted to achieve guidelines stipulated in the EU Water Framework Directive, minimise water stress, improve resource efficiency and contribute towards achieving the 80% carbon emission reduction target by 2050. This paper presents a review of water efficiency policy in England in the context of domestic water consumption. The approach taken was to interview key water stakeholders and analyse the interview transcripts qualitatively as well as quantitatively; using text mining techniques. The resulting data was used to map the key factors, the strategic constraints as well as opportunities for the effective implementation of water policy objectives. A theoretical framework was then derived from the findings. The chapter concludes with recommendations to promote innovation and positive change for water efficiency through improved evidence processes, communication and multi-stakeholder involvement
Assessment methodologies for water efficiency in buildings
No full textAssessment methodologies and supporting tools are developed and distributed by the green building council in the respective countries to define and measure the extent to which buildings and associated developments are sustainable. The assessment methods utilise a number of indicators such as energy, water and material consumption as well as social and economic variables. This chapter reviews the BREEAM (UK), LEED (USA), Greenstar (Australia), HK-BEAM, (Hong Kong) and CASBEE (Japan) building energy assessment methodologies. The discussion includes a brief overview of each assessment methodologies and explores key components such as management provisions, energy consumption, indoor environment, local transportation network, water supply and usage, materials, waste management, land use, ecology and pollution from the buildings. The chapter then explores the water efficiency provisions in each tool highlighting the specificities and influences on the evolution and provisions for water efficiency based on the political, social, economic, environmental and technological context of the country or region where there are deployed
‘Greening the Green' - community water in the age of localism
No full textThis chapter disseminates further research regarding approaches to engaging communities in sustainable development (in this case water and energy sustainability and planning) through self-determined ‘local’ resilience agendas as opposed to the abstract, over-whelming and disempowering notions of global sustainability - ‘saving the world’. It illustrates the need to identify and capitalise on local engagement points that activate and motivate action via issues that communites ‘own’, care about and are empowered to facilitate. The research methodology utilised a community-wide survey and a stakeholder workshop between a case study community and its representatives, water suppliers, water and hydrology experts and the environment agency and computer and visualisation tools. The approach also made distinct efforts to merge consideration of water with energy as a means to relate the carbon footprint as well as cost savings but to further enforce it as part of the resilience agenda. The project formed part of a ‘community energy and water plan’ which the case study community have begun implementing and visualising having won a Department of Climate Change award. The research was disseminated through invitation as a panel speaker at the National Waterwise Conference (2012), alongside lead representatives of DEFRA, The Environment Agency and Global Action Plan and attended by The Minister for Water and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government. The research was funded by DEFRA and formed part of their report on water engagement provided by The Water Efficiency in Buildings Network and the Energy and Water Plan of the case study community has been identified and used by the Centre for Sustainable Energy as an exemplar project
Water Efficiency in Buildings: theory and practice
No full textWater efficiency in buildings is an important subject which is increasingly high on the resource management debate. The indiscriminate use of water has physical and environmental consequences and can impact on energy and carbon consumption and ultimately climate change. At present, about half the water put into supply is to meet household demand. Current figures show that the quantity of water used by households in the UK increased by 55% in the last 25 years, although some of this increase has been attributed to population growth, as well as the prevalence of domestic technologies such as washing machines, power showers etc. These levels of consumption in buildings is not sustainable if corresponded with water availability figures, and some geographical areas in the UK, US, parts of Europe, Africa and Asia are already demonstrating considerable water stress. The objective of this book is to primarily collate learning and evidence that can be used to understand and applied for addressing issues pertaining to water efficiency in buildings. More importantly, it collates and presents a much needed multi-disciplinary viewpoint, from architecture to environmental science, to socio-psychology, demonstrating how each of these areas can be applied to promote water efficiency in all areas of the supply and demand spectrum. It will also present ways to engage all the important stakeholders to achieve a systems approach to tackling the main challenges faced locally and globally
Design decisions for hybrid projects using integrated building information
No full textEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo
Teaching construction contracts: mutual learning experience
No full textConstruction contract modules are delivered to second-year architectural technology and construction/construction management students undertaking foundation and undergraduate degree programs. Feedback and assessment results from recent years showed that students generally found these modules difficult. Studies were conducted to further understand students’ experiences and expectations, to assess quality of teaching, and to evaluate the dissemination of theoretical and practical knowledge during the delivery of construction contract modules. The objective was to review the methods used for teaching, learning, and assessment of construction contract modules and make recommendations to inform and improve future module development and delivery. This paper is based on a first-time experience of teaching a law-related subject to construction students. Reflection on the teaching and assessment methods implemented during the term and on student responses permits conclusions to be drawn on how best to improve students’ learning experience and simultaneously maintain the university’s quality standards
Beyond the minimum requirement: policy-led strategies for increasing water efficiency in buildings
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