<p dir="ltr">As the urbanization trend prevails worldwide, more people are moving to major metropolitan areas, causing housing resources to be in urgent demand. Tiny homes, designed to offer a minimalist lifestyle while also addressing growing housing needs, have become increasingly popular among home seekers. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, individuals primarily spend their time indoors, and with more people adopting work-from-home lifestyles, ensuring a high-quality, sterile, and comfortable indoor environment becomes crucial for indoor occupants. Many studies have highlighted that the activities of occupants significantly influence indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy consumption in buildings and applying disinfectants will generate increasing amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which occupants could inhale, causing adverse health effects. Within this thesis, two studies are introduced and discussed. The first study, namely “zEDGE Living Experiments,” conducts a comprehensive evaluation of IEQ satisfaction and energy usage in the Purdue zEDGE Tiny House through real-time measurement and survey analysis. Twenty full-scale experiments were conducted during the winter season. The study first evaluates participants’ perception of IEQ factors, with thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) emerging as top priorities. It then examined energy adaptive behavior to understand maintenance of comfortable indoor conditions, noting primary adaptive strategies including heating, ventilation, and artificial lighting. The study then measured IEQ and energy consumption, evaluating occupants’ IEQ satisfaction levels. The average energy use was recorded at 10.3 kWh, with occupants generally satisfied with IEQ in the zEDGE Tiny House. Analysis indicated that heating and cooking were significant energy consumers, potentially exposing occupants to high indoor air pollutant levels in such compact living spaces. The second campaign, namely “Performance Evaluation of PID and PTR-TOF-MS,” compares the VOC detection abilities of photoionization detectors (PID) and a state-of-the-art proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS). 54 controlled emission experiments were carried out among 18 different disinfectant products with main ingredients based on alcohol, lactic acid, peracetic acid/acetic acid, and botanical products. The results from time-series and correlation analyses indicate that the PID and PTR-TOF-MS were able to detect VOC signals from emission experiments. While the performances of the PID and PTR-TOF-MS were similar under experiments with alcohol-based products, the PID performed less well with products based on lactic acid and botanical products, and unsatisfactory for peracetic acid/acetic acid-based products.</p>

Os estudos de relação entre a paisagem e a água doce vêm sendo aprofundados pela comunidade científica e pelos propositores de políticas públicas, principalmente, para atender às demandas sobre as maneiras que este sistema ambiental pode ser alterado e na identificação das implicações políticas e ecológicas destas mudanças. Quanto mais se torna intenso e diversificado o uso dos corpos hídricos e da paisagem em bacias hidrográficas maior é a necessidade de se definir formas de planejamento, gerenciamento e gestão ecológica desses ecossistemas. O completo entendimento do funcionamento e dos processos ecológicos que ocorrem em uma bacia hidrográfica exige conhecimento simultâneo de seus sistemas aquáticos e terrestres, da biodiversidade, da fisiografia, da geologia e de sua conservação, temporal e espacial. Este entendimento e conhecimento da área de interesse são vitais para proposições de instrumentos ambientais legais, como Unidades de Conservação (UCs). É muito importante que a fundamentação destas propostas tenha como eixo principal o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e das paisagens, de forma a garantir uma maior conectividade e integração entre água (doce, salobra e salgada) e terra, e seus múltiplos usos. A presente tese foi desenvolvida com base neste contexto, apresentando e aplicando metodologias integradoras, seja na ecologia de paisagem (EP), seja na relação entre os ambientes dulcícola e terrestre. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de processos para planejamento ambiental em BHs, através do diagnóstico, compreensão e análise do funcionamento e dinâmica da paisagem e de ecossistemas de rios e córregos, apoiados no uso de geotecnologias. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a BHGM ocupa uma área de 1260,36 km e 204,69 km de perímetro. É uma bacia com forma mais alongada que circular (KC = 1,6144e IC =0,4747 km/km) que indica uma menor susceptibilidade a enchentes em condições normais de precipitação exceto em eventos de intensidades anômalas. O mapeamento base (2007) realizado indicou que a bacia possuía 34,86% de uso antrópico e 64,04 % de remanescente florestal. Os dados de fitofisionomia potencial indicaram predominância da classe Florestas Ombrófila Densa Submontana (40%) e de Terras Baixas (39%). Foram estabelecidas para bacia 269 unidades de paisagem (integração da geomorfologia, geologia, fitofisionomia e uso da terra e cobertura vegetal (2007)) que junto com os dados de métrica de paisagem constituíram a proposta integrativa da tese para ecologia de paisagem. Em relação à qualidade ambiental foram adotados o índice de avaliação visual (IAV), o índice multimétrico físico-químico bacteriológico e o índice biótico estendido (IBE). A comparação entre estes índices demonstrou a confirmação entre os seus resultados para a maioria dos pontos amostrados nas áreas de referência e de pelo menos dois índices para os pontos intermediários e impactados. Foram propostos também dois cenários para a bacia: um considerando as condicionantes e medidas compensatórias vinculadas à licença prévia do complexo petroquímico do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ); e outro, sem considerar estas condições. O primeiro indicou a realização da restauração ecológica, seguindo as diretrizes do mapa síntese, integrada para restauração da paisagem. / Studies about relation between landscape and freshwater have been enhanced by the scientific community as by the proponents of public policies, in order to meet the demands generated from the discussion on the ways this environmental system can be modified and the identification of political and ecological implications of these changes. The stronger and more diversified uses of watercourses and landscape in their watersheds, the greater the need to define ways of planning, supervision and ecological management of these ecosystems. The complete understanding of the functioning and ecological processes that occur in a watershed requires simultaneous knowledge of their aquatic and terrestrial systems, biodiversity, physiography, geology as temporal and spatial preservation. Knowledge and understanding on the area of interest is vital for proposals of environmental legal instruments, such as Protected Areas (UCs1). It is preeminent that the rationale of these proposals has as its main axis ecosystems and landscapes functioning in order to ensure greater integration and connectivity between water (freshwater, brackish and saltwater) and land in its multiple uses. This thesis has been developed based on this context, proposing and implementing integrative methodologies, whether in landscape ecology (EP) or the interrelation between the freshwater and terrestrial environments. The study main objective was the development of processes for environmental planning in BHs by diagnosing, understanding and analyzing the landscape and ecosystems of rivers and streams functioning and dynamics, supported by geotechnologies. According to gathered results, BHGM occupies an area of 1260.36 km with 204.69 km of perimeter. It is a more oblong than circular basin (KC = 1.6144 and IC = 0.4747 km / km) indicating a lower susceptibility to flooding during normal rainfall events, except in anomalous intensities. The base mapping conducted indicated that the basin had 34.86% of anthropic use and 64.04% of remaining forest. The data indicated a predominance of the potential vegetation type of dense umbrageous sub-montane rain forest class (40%) and lowlands class (39%). There has been established 269 units for basin landscape which represents the data integration with geomorphology, geology, vegetation type and land use, and vegetation co ver (base year) which joined to the landscape metrics data formed the integrative thesis proposal for ecology landscape. This has been used as a planning tool in the proposition of ecological corridors and areas for potential sampling water quality in the basin. Regarding the environmental quality index were adopted visual rate index (IAV), the physical-chemical bacteriological multimetric index and biotic extended index (IBE). The comparison among indexes have confirmed results for most points showed in the reference areas, and at least for two indexes on intermediate and impacted points. There have also been proposed two scenarios for the basin, one considering conditions and compensatory measures concerned to the prior license for the petrochemical complex of the State of Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ) and other without any consideration of the above mentioned. The first indicated the completion of restoration projects following the guidelines of the synthesis map for integrated landscape restoration.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to analyze the environmental quality of the city of Uberlândia through spatialization indicators generated from data by census tract in order to pinpoint environmental inequalities, considering the discussions of environmental justice. This study on the urban environmental quality from the perspective of environmental justice, assumes that urban problems can be mitigated through the development of public policies focused on reducing environmental and socio-spatial inequalities. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal analisar a qualidade ambiental da cidade de Uberlândia por meio da espacialização de indicadores gerados a partir de dados por setor censitário, a fim de apontar desigualdades socioambientais, considerando as discussões acerca da justiça ambiental. A realização deste estudo referente à qualidade ambiental urbana sob a ótica da justiça ambiental, parte do pressuposto de que os problemas urbanos podem ser mitigados por meio da elaboração de políticas públicas centradas na redução de desigualdades socioespaciais e ambientais. / Mestre em Geografia

Os estudos de relação entre a paisagem e a água doce vêm sendo aprofundados pela comunidade científica e pelos propositores de políticas públicas, principalmente, para atender às demandas sobre as maneiras que este sistema ambiental pode ser alterado e na identificação das implicações políticas e ecológicas destas mudanças. Quanto mais se torna intenso e diversificado o uso dos corpos hídricos e da paisagem em bacias hidrográficas maior é a necessidade de se definir formas de planejamento, gerenciamento e gestão ecológica desses ecossistemas. O completo entendimento do funcionamento e dos processos ecológicos que ocorrem em uma bacia hidrográfica exige conhecimento simultâneo de seus sistemas aquáticos e terrestres, da biodiversidade, da fisiografia, da geologia e de sua conservação, temporal e espacial. Este entendimento e conhecimento da área de interesse são vitais para proposições de instrumentos ambientais legais, como Unidades de Conservação (UCs). É muito importante que a fundamentação destas propostas tenha como eixo principal o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e das paisagens, de forma a garantir uma maior conectividade e integração entre água (doce, salobra e salgada) e terra, e seus múltiplos usos. A presente tese foi desenvolvida com base neste contexto, apresentando e aplicando metodologias integradoras, seja na ecologia de paisagem (EP), seja na relação entre os ambientes dulcícola e terrestre. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de processos para planejamento ambiental em BHs, através do diagnóstico, compreensão e análise do funcionamento e dinâmica da paisagem e de ecossistemas de rios e córregos, apoiados no uso de geotecnologias. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a BHGM ocupa uma área de 1260,36 km e 204,69 km de perímetro. É uma bacia com forma mais alongada que circular (KC = 1,6144e IC =0,4747 km/km) que indica uma menor susceptibilidade a enchentes em condições normais de precipitação exceto em eventos de intensidades anômalas. O mapeamento base (2007) realizado indicou que a bacia possuía 34,86% de uso antrópico e 64,04 % de remanescente florestal. Os dados de fitofisionomia potencial indicaram predominância da classe Florestas Ombrófila Densa Submontana (40%) e de Terras Baixas (39%). Foram estabelecidas para bacia 269 unidades de paisagem (integração da geomorfologia, geologia, fitofisionomia e uso da terra e cobertura vegetal (2007)) que junto com os dados de métrica de paisagem constituíram a proposta integrativa da tese para ecologia de paisagem. Em relação à qualidade ambiental foram adotados o índice de avaliação visual (IAV), o índice multimétrico físico-químico bacteriológico e o índice biótico estendido (IBE). A comparação entre estes índices demonstrou a confirmação entre os seus resultados para a maioria dos pontos amostrados nas áreas de referência e de pelo menos dois índices para os pontos intermediários e impactados. Foram propostos também dois cenários para a bacia: um considerando as condicionantes e medidas compensatórias vinculadas à licença prévia do complexo petroquímico do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ); e outro, sem considerar estas condições. O primeiro indicou a realização da restauração ecológica, seguindo as diretrizes do mapa síntese, integrada para restauração da paisagem. / Studies about relation between landscape and freshwater have been enhanced by the scientific community as by the proponents of public policies, in order to meet the demands generated from the discussion on the ways this environmental system can be modified and the identification of political and ecological implications of these changes. The stronger and more diversified uses of watercourses and landscape in their watersheds, the greater the need to define ways of planning, supervision and ecological management of these ecosystems. The complete understanding of the functioning and ecological processes that occur in a watershed requires simultaneous knowledge of their aquatic and terrestrial systems, biodiversity, physiography, geology as temporal and spatial preservation. Knowledge and understanding on the area of interest is vital for proposals of environmental legal instruments, such as Protected Areas (UCs1). It is preeminent that the rationale of these proposals has as its main axis ecosystems and landscapes functioning in order to ensure greater integration and connectivity between water (freshwater, brackish and saltwater) and land in its multiple uses. This thesis has been developed based on this context, proposing and implementing integrative methodologies, whether in landscape ecology (EP) or the interrelation between the freshwater and terrestrial environments. The study main objective was the development of processes for environmental planning in BHs by diagnosing, understanding and analyzing the landscape and ecosystems of rivers and streams functioning and dynamics, supported by geotechnologies. According to gathered results, BHGM occupies an area of 1260.36 km with 204.69 km of perimeter. It is a more oblong than circular basin (KC = 1.6144 and IC = 0.4747 km / km) indicating a lower susceptibility to flooding during normal rainfall events, except in anomalous intensities. The base mapping conducted indicated that the basin had 34.86% of anthropic use and 64.04% of remaining forest. The data indicated a predominance of the potential vegetation type of dense umbrageous sub-montane rain forest class (40%) and lowlands class (39%). There has been established 269 units for basin landscape which represents the data integration with geomorphology, geology, vegetation type and land use, and vegetation co ver (base year) which joined to the landscape metrics data formed the integrative thesis proposal for ecology landscape. This has been used as a planning tool in the proposition of ecological corridors and areas for potential sampling water quality in the basin. Regarding the environmental quality index were adopted visual rate index (IAV), the physical-chemical bacteriological multimetric index and biotic extended index (IBE). The comparison among indexes have confirmed results for most points showed in the reference areas, and at least for two indexes on intermediate and impacted points. There have also been proposed two scenarios for the basin, one considering conditions and compensatory measures concerned to the prior license for the petrochemical complex of the State of Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ) and other without any consideration of the above mentioned. The first indicated the completion of restoration projects following the guidelines of the synthesis map for integrated landscape restoration.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the world’s human population increases, more pressure is placed on the management of natural resources. In response, we need an efficient means of monitoring, not only the quantity of these resources but also their quality. No comprehensive standard metric has been developed to assess environmental quality of a biotope, or to define the nature and extent of environmental degradation at this spatial scale. Currently in conservation management, various landscapes are being evaluated for spatial heterogeneity, by making use of species surrogates such as species richness, relative abundance, diversity indices and phylogenetic indices, as well as environmental surrogates. These values are then used towards conservation, where those systems with high intrinsic heterogeneity are usually considered more important than those with low heterogeneity at least when given the choice between the two. Yet, the actual quality of the biotopes within the landscapes is rarely taken into consideration. This study therefore develops and tests a Biotope Quality Index (BQI) to study this point in depth. The BQI makes use of arthropod assemblages as bioindicators of the level of disturbance within a biotope. Firstly, I summarize the literature on the concept of environmental health, and define it as “An ecosystem is healthy, if it can sustain an optimal number of species with optimal population sizes and their ecological processes, thus providing and optimal heterogeneous sustainable system with sufficient resources, and indicated adequate resistance when under perturbational stress, but still allowing natural succession to take place” Against this background, I then review the use of certain Arthropoda as bioindicators, as arthropods are small, mobile, environmentally sensitive, easily sampled, and readily available. These features together make arthropods good subjects for testing the BQI. I then compare the BQI with diversity indices currently used as surrogates of biotope quality. The outcome was that the BQI stood out as a significantly better indicator than the currently available indices for assessing environmental quality of a biotope. Furthermore, during the selection process, I also tested the use of guilds for BQI evaluation, and found that the scavenger (represented by Formicidae) and decomposer (represented by Collembola) guilds were the most significant. The effect of seasonality was also tested. I found the best results with the BQI were when data are pooled from all seasons of the year. A case study, making use of the BQI evaluation, was conducted at a site in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa (Jonkershoek Valley). BQI results suggested that the agricultural management and tourism within the locality might have an effect on biotope quality. This study has shown that use of the BQI is a useful and practical management tool for evaluating environmental quality of a biotope towards conservation management. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die vermeerdering van mense op die Aarde, wat meer druk plaas op ons natuurlike hulpbronne en omgewing is daar ‘n aanvraag na doeltrefende maniere wat nie net die kwantiteit maar ook die kwaliteit van die hulbron evalueer. Geen betroubare standard bestaan om biologiese kondisies of die kwaliteit van n omgewing te meet nie. Heidiglik maak wetenskaplikes staat op die bepaling van diversiteit en ander voogde soos spesies rykheid en diversiteit indeksies as voog vir kwaliteit. Die waardes word dan gebruik binne die omgewings bestuur praktyke en bevooroordeel omgewings met ‘n hoë diversiteit, terwyl die kwaliteit van omgewing skaarslik na gekyk word. Hiervolgens, onwikkel ons n Omgewings Kwaliteit Indeks (OKI), wat gebruik maak van Arthropoda saamestellings as bioindikator van die vlak van verval binne ‘n omgewing. Verder sluit die tesis n literatuur studie van die omgesings gesondheid teorie, en die gebruik van arthropoda as bioindikators. As basis van die studie, definieër ons ‘n gesonde omgewings as ‘n omgewing wat’ n optimal hoeveelheid spesies en hulle ekologiese prosesse kan handhaf, en daarom verwys na ‘n diverse onderhoubare sisteem met genoegsame hulpbronne en kan genoegsame weerstand bied onder omgesings stres, maar gee geleentheid vir naturlike suksesie om plaas te vind Ons het verder die OKI getoets teen ander diversiteit’s indeksies, waar ons gevind het dat die OKI evaluering ‘n statistiese beklemtonde verskil toon as bioindikator van omgewings kwaliteit. Verder het ons voorkeer getoets, in gedrags groupe en gevind dat die versamellaars groep (verteeenwoordig deur Formicidae) en die afbrekers groep (verteenwoordig deur Collembola) die beste resultate toon. Seisoene het ook ‘n uitwerking en ons het gevind die groupeering van data ingesamel oor alle seisoene die beste resultate getoon. ‘n Ondersoek studie wat gebruik maak van die OKI evalueering, was gekondakteer in die Jonkershoek valei en het getoon dat die landbou plaagbestuur en toerusme ‘n negatiewe effek het op die omgewing. Verder het die OKI evalueering getoon dat aanplanting van Denne plantasies die kwaliteit van ‘n omgewing verlaag. Die studie het verder getoon dat die OKI evalueering ‘n betroubare evalueerings metode is vir die bestuur van ‘n omgewings, terwyl die diversiteits indeksies nie geskik is as bioindikator van omgewings kwaliteit nie.

This research expands on recent sociological studies which maintain that environmental contaminants in America are disproportionately placed in neighborhoods inhabited by minorities and the poor. Prior studies have focused on the predictor variables which identify areas of contamination near residential neighborhoods, yet fail to explore the socio-political and historical factors which contribute to these phenomena. The Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory 1990 database, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's Annual Report of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Program for 1992, and the U.S. Census Bureau's 1990 Census Data for Dallas County were utilized in pinpointing industries violating toxic release standards. Socio-historical data was obtained from government and historical records and reports, books, and newspaper clippings on Dallas County. Maps and data were obtained from the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and the cities of Dallas and Garland. Chapter I discusses the synergetic forces of capitalism, urban growth, uneven development, and settlement patterns resulting in the distribution of environmental contaminants. Chapter II reviews the literature and presents evidence that race and class are strong predictors of where environmental contaminants are located. Chapter III outlines the data and methods employed. Chapter IV traces the historical development of Dallas County. Chapter V details those political, economic, and social factors contributing to the convergence of people and contaminants within three selected neighborhoods. The forces which historically relegate minorities, particularly Blacks and Hispanics, and the poor to less desirable jobs, cheaper housing, and land costs are also explored. Cheap land and labor attract industry which, in turn, attracts more laborers. Chapter VI, the summary and conclusions, utilizes the socio-spatial approach in examining urban infrastructure development (i.e. roads and railways) which also reduces adjacent land costs making housing more affordable for minorities and the poor. This study concludes that because of historical development and capitalism's exploitation of labor, these populations become entrenched in neighborhoods located adjacent to those industries where contaminants are emitted.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar os atributos ambientais: uso do solo, usos potencialmente poluidores, verticalidade das edificações, densidade populacional, deserto florístico, espaços livres públicos e áreas de inundações e pontos de alagamentos, espacializando-os para a definição da qualidade ambiental urbana do distrito do Brás, município de São Paulo (SP). O embasamento teórico da pesquisa foi fundamentada no conceito de paisagem e a metodologia aplicada para atender aos objetivos pretendidos fundamentou-se na metodologia desenvolvida por Nucci (2001), que diagnostica e espacializa de forma integrada os atributos selecionados, considerando os diferentes usos do solo e as condições do meio físico urbano, contribuindo para identificarmos as áreas mais sensíveis do distrito. Houve predomínio de lotes com média de dois a três atributos ambientais negativos. Apesar disso, o distrito obteve bons resultados no total de atributos negativos, com áreas de ausência de atributo negativo. Os índices de cobertura vegetal e de espaços livres públicos foram os fatores de maior relevância na definição da qualidade ambiental urbana do distrito. Diante disso, efetuou-se a análise conjunta dos mapas dos atributos selecionados, gerando o mapa de qualidade ambiental do distrito do Brás. Em seguida, foram propostas formas de melhoria para a qualidade ambiental do distrito do Brás e sua aplicabilidade no planejamento urbano e na elaboração de políticas ambientais que estimulem e orientem uma melhor ocupação do espaço urbano do local. / This study aimed to analyze the environmental attributes such as: (A) land use, (B) potentially polluting uses, (C) vertical buildings, (D) population density, (E) floristic desert, (F) public open spaces and (G) areas of flooding and waterlogging points, spatializing them to the definition of the urban environmental quality of Bras district, in São Paulo (SP). The theoretical basis of the research was based on the concept of landscape and the methodology used to meet the intended objectives was based on the methodology developed by Nucci (2001), who diagnoses and spatializes in an integrated form the selected attributes, considering the different land uses and the conditions of the urban physical environment, helping to identify the most sensitive areas of the district. There was dominance of lots averaging two to three negative environmental attributes. Despite this, the district obtained good results in the total of negative attributes, with areas with no negative attribute. The indices of vegetation and public open spaces were the most relevant factors in the definition of the urban environmental quality of the district. Therefore, we realize a joint analysis of the maps with the selected attributes, generating a synthesis map of the Environmental Quality of Bras district. After that it was proposed some ways to improve the environmental quality of Brasdistrict and the applicability in urban planning and development of environmental policies that encourage and guide a better occupation of the local urban space.

A pesquisa intitulada de Espaços de ensino-aprendizagem com qualidade ambiental: o processo metodológico para elaboração de um anteprojeto tem como objeto de estudo o espaço físico onde são realizadas as atividades de ensino e aprendizagem em uma escola. O objetivo final é exemplificar, através de estudos preliminares para um anteprojeto de uma escola pública de 1° grau, o processo metodológico para a elaboração de projetos com qualidade ambiental (térmica, luminosa, acústica, visual e ergonômica). A metodologia da pesquisa compreende: a revisão bibliográfica sobre conforto ambiental em escolas e arquitetura bioclimática; a proposta de etapas que configuram uma metodologia de projeto com enfoque ambiental; os estudos preliminares para um anteprojeto de escola; a verificação do desempenho térmico e luminoso das salas de aula propostas. Essa pesquisa busca mostrar que é possível, dentro da rotina habitual e do exercício profissional dos arquitetos, incorporar a metodologia de projeto aqui apresentada para se alcançar a relação ótima entre forma, estética, racionalidade construtiva, custo, conforto ambiental e eficiência energética. / This research, entitled Teaching and learning spaces with environmental quality: the methodological process for buildings design has the space where the teaching and learning activities take place in a school as the main subject. The final goal is to use a design of a public elementary school to give an example of the methodological process of projects building with environmental quality (thermal, lighting, acoustic, visual and ergonomic). The research methodology involves: the bibliographic revision of environmental comfort in schools and bioclimatic architecture; one proposal of stages to build together a project methodology with environmental focus; the preliminary studies for a school project; thermal and lighting performance verification of the proposed classrooms. This research aims to show that it is possible - during the architects\' routine and professional activity - to adopt the methodological process presented here in order to achieve the optimal ratio among shape, esthetics, constructive rationality, economic cost, environmental comfort and energy efficiency.

Considerando a necessidade de soluções sustentáveis para a destinação de solos de escavação de obras em áreas urbanas, este estudo apresenta a caracterização de materiais de escavação recebidos em um aterro de resíduos de construção civil (RCC) localizado na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (MRSP). As amostras foram classificadas visualmente como predominantemente solo de escavação ou mistura de diferentes tipos de RCC, e submetidas a testes de caracterização química, mineralógica, ambiental e geotécnica. Os materiais de escavação destinados ao aterro são compostos, principalmente, por mistura de solos e outros tipos de RCC. Materiais cimentícios estão presentes em todas as frações granulométricas das amostras. As propriedades geotécnicas dos solos de escavação não são prejudicadas pela mistura com outros tipos de RCC. Os materiais são basicamente granulares e bem graduados, com resistência mecânica adequada para algumas aplicações geotécnicas ou de pavimentação. Nitrato e sulfato dissolvidos podem poluir aquíferos e águas superficiais; entretanto, as concentrações observadas não representam risco à saúde. No caso de concentrações superiores aos valores máximos permitidos pela regulamentação de resíduos, a avaliação do risco a possíveis receptores deve ser efetuada conforme o uso pretendido da construção. Foi sugerido um critério preliminar de triagem de materiais de escavação para potenciais reusos na RMSP. / Considering the need of sustainable solutions for disposal of excavation soils from construction works in urban areas, this study presents characterization of excavation materials received in a CDW landfill located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP). Samples were visually classified as predominantly excavation soil or mixtures of different types of CDW, and submitted to chemical, mineralogical, environmental and geotechnical characterization tests. The excavation material disposed of in the landfill is mainly composed of a mixture of soils and other types of CDW. Cementitious materials are present in all grain size fractions. Geotechnical properties of excavation soils are not impaired by the mixture with other types of CDW. The materials were basically granular and well-graded, with appropriate mechanical resistance for some geotechnical or pavement applications. Dissolved nitrate and sulfate may pollute aquifers and superficial waters; however, the observed concentrations do not represent health concern. In the case of concentrations higher than the maximum allowed values, risk assessment to possible receptors shall be carried out according to the intended construction purpose for potential reuse screening. A preliminary criteria screening for potential reuses was suggested for excavation materials of the MRSP.

As fases imaturas dos insetos das Ordens Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera e Trichoptera (EPT) são consideradas membros sensíveis da comunidade macrobentônica dos ecossistemas lóticos. Portanto, são freqüentemente utilizados como indicadores de perturbações ambientais como a poluição. Foram adotados oito pontos de amostragem ao longo dos rios Atibainha, Cachoeira e Atibaia, na bacia do rio Piracicaba, São Paulo. Nestes locais foram determinadas as qualidades e toxicidades da água e do sedimento, bem como a composição do EPT em seis diferentes habitats, nas estações seca e chuvosa. Os resultados mostraram um gradiente de poluição ao longo dos rios que foi acompanhado pelo índice EPT nos níveis de gênero e família. Não foi possível selecionar grupos de táxons como indicadores de condições ambientais degradadas e preservadas, pois a maioria dos gêneros ocorrentes é tolerante à poluição. Recomenda-se o uso do índice EPT no nível de família nos programas de biomonitoramento regionais. / Immature insects of the Orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) are considered sensible members of the macrobenthic community in lotic ecosystems. Accordingly, they are often used as indicators of environmental disturbances as pollution. Eight sampling sites were established along the rivers Atibainha, Cachoeira and Atibaia of Piracicaba river basin, São Paulo, Brazil, where water and sediment quality, toxicity, as well as EPT composition in six different habitats, were determined in dry and wet seasons. The results showed a pollution gradient along the water stream matched with EPT index at genus and family levels. It was not possible to select groups of taxa as indicators of degraded and preserved environmental conditions because most of genera occurring are tolerant to pollution. It is recommended the use of EPT index in family level in stream biomonitoring programs for regional purposes.