65 research outputs found
Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-3-her-10.1177_19375867231187154 - Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition
No full textSupplemental Material, sj-pdf-3-her-10.1177_19375867231187154 for Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition by Katharina Nieberler-Walker, Cheryl Desha, Caryl Bosman, Anne Roiko and Savindi Caldera in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal</p
Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-her-10.1177_19375867231187154 - Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition
No full textSupplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-her-10.1177_19375867231187154 for Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition by Katharina Nieberler-Walker, Cheryl Desha, Caryl Bosman, Anne Roiko and Savindi Caldera in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal</p
Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-2-her-10.1177_19375867231187154 - Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition
No full textSupplemental Material, sj-pdf-2-her-10.1177_19375867231187154 for Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition by Katharina Nieberler-Walker, Cheryl Desha, Caryl Bosman, Anne Roiko and Savindi Caldera in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal</p
Exploring the role of lean thinking in sustainable business practice
No full textA large and growing body of literature has explored corporate environmental sustainability initiatives and their impacts locally, regionally and internationally. While the initiatives provide examples of environmental stewardship and cleaner production, a large proportion of the organisations considered in this literature have ‘sustainable practice’, ‘environmental stewardship’ or similar goals as add-ons to their core business strategy. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of organizations embracing and internalising sustainability principles throughout their activities, products or services. Many challenges and barriers impede outcomes as whole system design or holistic approach to address environmental issues, with some evidence to suggest that targeted initiatives could be useful in making progress. ‘Lean management’ and other lean thinking strategies are often put forward as part of such targeted approaches. Within this context, the authors have drawn on current literature to undertake a review of lean thinking practices and how these influence sustainable business practice, considering the balance of environmental and economic aspects of triple bottom line in sustainability. The review methodology comprised firstly identifying theoretical constructs to be studied, developing criteria for categorising the literature, evaluating the findings within each category and considering the implications of the findings for areas for future research. \ud
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The evaluation revealed two main areas of consideration: \ud
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- a) lean manufacturing tools and environmental performance, and; \ud
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- b) integrated lean and green models and approaches. \ud
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However the review highlighted the ad hoc use of lean thinking within corporate sustainability initiatives, and established a knowledge gap in the form of a system for being able to consider different categories of environmental impacts in different industries and choose best lean tools or models for a particular problem in a way to ensure holistic exploration. The findings included a specific typology of lean tools for different environmental impacts, drawing from multiple case studies. \ud
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Within this research context, this paper presents the findings of the review; namely the emerging consensus on the relationships between lean thinking and sustainable business practice. The paper begins with an overview of the current literature regarding lean thinking and its documented role in sustainable business practice. The paper then includes an analysis of lean and green paradigms in different industries; and describes the typology of lean tools used to reduce specific environmental impacts and, integrated lean and green models and approaches. The paper intends to encourage industrial practitioners to consider the merits and potential risks with using specific lean tools to reduce context-specific environmental impacts. It also aims to highlight the potential for further investigation with regard to comparing different industries and conceptualising a generalizable system for ensuring lean thinking initiatives build towards sustainable business practice
Social and Affordable Housing Investment Tool Guidebook
No full textThe critical shortage of social and affordable housing across Australia requires all stakeholders to work together to ensure both short-term solutions and long-term correction in this fundamental element of our nation’s social infrastructure and people’s lives. The purpose of the Social and Affordable Housing Investment (SAHI) Tool is to provide a rigorous, evidence-based business case to justify investment in social and social affordable housing in Australia. It provides a unique and comprehensive tool to help those in the Australian housing sector better leverage investment to address this supply issue. The tool is intended for use by government housing and development agencies, State Treasury departments, not-for-profit organisations and industry stakeholders delivering housing policy, services and physical assets. Using the tool will help inform conversations within organisations and with partners across the sector, including public and private sector investors. This will help build a stronger policy context and identify gaps in capacity and capabilities which currently inhibit delivery. The value of the SAHI Tool is in its expansive approach, with outcomes and indicators included across nine impact domains and three context domains. It addresses the complexity of defining the benefits to individuals, the community and government of providing safe and secure housing for all, to better demonstrate the benefits of investment. As such, the tool will help with identifying the current funding gap between the traditional cost-based approach and this benefits-based approach.Full Tex
Enablers and Barriers for Creating a Marketplace for Construction and Demolition Waste: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textRapid population growth and urbanization have led to an increase in Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, prompting government and industry bodies to develop better waste management practices. Waste trading has emerged as a targeted intervention to divert waste from landfill sites and create a second life for waste material. This paper examines key barriers and enablers influencing the creation of a marketplace for waste trading. A systematic literature review was undertaken to examine global efforts in creating a marketplace for C&D waste. A framework on enablers and barriers for developing a marketplace for C&D waste emerged from the review, based on market-based, operational, and governance factors. References demonstrated that markets for materials such as glass and metals have already been established, but there are increasing marketplace opportunities for other recycled materials. Technology-based market applications are emerging as targeted interventions to facilitate online trading, which will provide a more accessible and user-friendly marketplace for sellers and buyers. Further research should test the complex interactions between people and technology associated with online waste trading platforms, as well as help develop the business case for a C&D waste marketplace
A Transformed Approach for Benchmarking the Performance of ‘Sustainable’ Infrastructure
No full textEnvironmental sustainability priorities for infrastructure development have traditionally focused on aspects including minimising negative impacts in areas such as water and air quality, erosion control, biodiversity and waste management, both in compliance and voluntary frameworks. Associated project performance priorities have focused on avoiding damage beyond ‘pre-project baselines’. In contrast, ‘best practice’ regenerative performance requires infrastructure project outcomes that not only avoid damage but contribute positively to social and ecological systems. For such best practice to become mainstream, industry frameworks, standards and rating schemes must evolve. However, there is limited knowledge regarding ‘how’ regenerative performance could be encouraged as a business-as-usual infrastructure expectation. This paper therefore explores the potential for a benchmarking methodology called Ecological Performance Standards (EPS) as a transformed approach to facilitate the mainstreaming of regenerative performance expectations. Three research workshops (Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sydney and Brisbane, Australia) were undertaken to investigate the potential for this methodology in infrastructure applications. Mapping was undertaken to align the EPS process steps with associated infrastructure lifecycle phases. Research findings include the synthesis of key opportunities for capturing EPS within infrastructure sustainability rating schemes to leverage current efforts and pivot towards regenerative performance. The authors present a comprehensive matrix mapping 18 ecosystem services against the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating Scheme credits and categories, summarising where ecosystem services are addressed within the current scheme. The authors conclude the presence of significant opportunities for a new ‘business-as-usual’ for infrastructure through the integration of regenerative performance benchmarking
A Liveability Framework for Social and Affordable Higher Density Living - Final Industry Report
No full textLiveability and accessibility in higher density urban housing and precincts are critical to maximise investment and minimise future risks to our community. This research was guided by a need to shift from a cost-based focus to better understanding the benefits and long-term value derived from liveable and accessible housing precincts. It aims to build a better understanding also of government, industry and not-for-profit roles in shaping industry structure and driving new urban forms, and improving the adoption of liveable and accessible design outcomes. The findings are informed by a review of industry and academic literature (April to October 2020), and case studies in both Brisbane and Perth supported by 23 interviews with industry stakeholders (October 2020 to May 2021). The research has developed a Liveability Framework for Medium to High-density Social and Affordable Housing (the Liveability Framework). The intent is for the framework to be used by our SBEnrc partners, and the social and affordable housing sector more broadly, to guide decision-making around the design, development and management of more effective, accessible and liveable social and affordable higher density housing.Full Tex
Recycled Product Certification for Construction and Demolition Waste Resources: A Case Study in Australia (Full paper)
No full textClosing the Loop on Food Waste: Stakeholder Views and Experiences from Southeast Queensland, Australia
No full textEvery year in Australia, the household, commercial and industry sectors generate more than five million tonnes of food waste, with the majority of it ending up in landfills that are costly to run and diminishing in availability. There are urgent calls for effective waste management practices to better address the challenges related to increasing volumes of food waste. This study evaluates potential food waste collection and composting initiatives that will ensure the implementation of the appropriate policies and technologies, and best practice of utilizing food waste as a natural resource. A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners from the Southeast Queensland waste industry to gain insights on the challenges and opportunities for implementing a Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) system. The interviews revealed five key themes: levies and taxes, capital investment challenges, lack of capacity, contract inefficiencies, and separate waste streams. Organisations and companies in the waste industry heavily rely on funding in order to technologically advance. There is a divergence of attention between technology and policy. Advancement of technology grows faster than the policies that regulate the appropriate use and level of effectiveness of the introduced technology. Both policy and technological changes need to occur simultaneously for Queensland to evolve and develop a social-economic system that favours a non-wasteful and sustainable future
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