published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Thesis (M.Env.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, Degree of Master of Environmental Management, 2003. / "November 2003" Bibliography: leaves 76-80.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

This project is inspired by two facts that occur on an everyday basis in much of the world. First, it is obvious that many persons and organizations in many developing nations are paying large amounts of money for large-scale architecture projects, including skyscrapers, museums, and airport, subway, and train terminals. It is often the case that as the mega-buildings are built, many useful materials—structural steel, wood, reinforcing rods, sheets of corrugated steel, and concrete among them--are wasted, even though they could be utilized in smaller projects. The second fact is that digital technology is playing a more important role in the daily life of many people and professionals. The development of such technologies also influences the ways in which buildings are created. Many types of software programs now facilitate the standard and non-standard workings of architecture offices worldwide, starting with design, moving through fabrication, and culminating with assembly.It is suggested that we can reuse the scraps from huge construction projects to provide much needed small buildings in the developing world (such as houses or small commercial structures) by using new digital technologies. As the technology becomes available, many architects will be able to adapt and utilize all types of raw materials in the most efficient ways possible while minimizing the amount of waste taken to landfill sites.To advance these ideas, the author worked as an intern at Morphosis and visited the offices of Gehry Partners and Greg Lynn Form (all in Los Angeles), and Sharpies Holden Pasquarelli Architects (SHoP) in New York; these firms are among the most influential offices in the world, both in regards to the buildings they design and the digital technologies with which they work. Rule-based design was studied to better understand the logic of computation. Simultaneously, several experimental projects were designed and built.The knowledge gained from these studies, experiences, and experiments can give us confidence that new technology can help architects and designers organize the complexity of unique scraps for use in the construction of buildings or building components.However, problems were revealed that are in need of attention. For example, the machines that are typically used for digital fabrication procedures today, such as the laser cutter and CNC router, do not provide the best support for this work because they are not intended to be used with scraps and the price of the machine is relatively high.It is hoped that this project can be a small first step for other architects to understand the possibility and the logic of digital technology within the realm of building construction waste. If studied and understood, the new technology can be a very powerful tool to utilize the leftover material in the most efficient way. / Department of Architecture

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--City Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Leigh, Nancey Green, Committee Chair ; Contant, Cheryl, Committee Member ; Meyer, Peter, Committee Member ; Vanegas, Jorge, Committee Member ; Elliott, Michael, Committee Member.

The construction and demolition (C and D) recycling industry creates economic opportunity through business activity; promotes equity through workforce training and partnerships; and helps to conserve natural resources through the reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling of C and D debris. While C and D recycling satisfies traditional local economic development goals, it also addresses broader goals of progressive, and sustainable local economic development. The general planning literature shows an increasing interest in sustainability; however, there have been fewer studies on sustainable local economic development initiatives. This research examines the current state of local economic development agency support for the C and D recycling industry as an economic development strategy. In doing so, the dissertation assembles the array of activities local economic development agencies used to support the industry; identifies distinguishing policy or contextual characteristics of agencies that actively supported the industry from those that did not; and assesses whether the agencies support for C and D recycling fit within the rational planning model. Using data from a national survey of local economic development agencies, the study categorizes the local economic development tools used to support the industry. Results show that a combination of traditional, progressive, and sustainable local economic development tools are adapted and newly created to satisfy the specific needs of this specialized industry. Multiple discriminant analyses identify key characteristics of the agencies that support C and D recycling. These characteristics include previous support for the general recycling industry, the presence and support of environmental enterprise zones and eco-industrial parks, and knowledge of local landfill capacity issues. Overall, the agencies that actively supported C and D recycling engage in activities associated with sustainable local economic development. The descriptive and statistical analyses are combined with the surveys qualitative responses to determine that local economic development agencies do not operate under a strict interpretation of the comprehensive rational planning model in their support of C and D recycling. Instead, local economic development agencies use modified rational and reactive planning strategies in their support of the industry. The study concludes with policy recommendations to increase local economic development agency support for C and D recycling.

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

In this thesis, an environmentally sound and human scale set of design principles, which values ideas like environmental friendliness, human comfort and locality, is formulated, examined and justified. These principles are inspired by experiences in Latin America and South Asia and their universal significance is illustrated through case studies from several countries around the world.In the design project, these principles are applied in a local setting, in this case a residential hall on the Ball State University campus in Muncie, Indiana. The design embraces a ‘green’ approach to campus facility renovation as part of the holistic movement to make the campus more sustainable.The design focus will be on the reuse and revitalization of materials thrown away on campus. Projects in which economic limitations enhance this specific creativity serve as role models. Through the reuse of material, the renovation process of campus facilities can be linked to the recycling program and the curriculum of the university. / Department of Architecture

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-100). / Concern for environmental degradation has been a motivating factor in the efforts to reuse or recycle construction and demolition waste. The intention is not only to reduce environmental desecration, but also to recycle the construction and demolition waste into potential building materials to be reused elsewhere. This study investigated the supply and demand of recycled construction materials in the Western Cape, and aimed to determine the perception held by important stakeholders about these materials. A qualitative analysis of the case study results revealed that poor waste management plans implemented on construction and demolition sites have affected the quality, supply and price of recycled materials. In addition to this it was also revealed that the negative perceptions regarding recycled materials were the major barriers to creating an established secondary market. Inadequate knowledge and experience were major contributors to resistance to change of perceptions. A case study was conducted on Malans Quarries Recyclers in order to determine the supply of raw materials (construction and demolition waste) reaching the recycling plant; the supply of recycled materials to the end user (consumer); and the recycling process that takes place. A sample of fifteen respondents from a variety of large, medium and small construction contractors, as well as consultants and civil engineering companies, completed a questionnaire to determine the demand for and perceptions about these materials. The qualitative analysis of the results of the questionnaires showed that the majority of respondents still preferred to use primary materials over recycled materials. However, it appears that the gap between respondents who prefer to use primary materials, and those who utilize recycled materials, has narrowed in comparison to results obtained in previous studies. It seems that there may be more usage of recycled materials in the future. The results also revealed that tax cuts, could be a good economic incentive to encourage the use of recycled material. The questionnaire results also revealed that the majority of the respondents believed that landfill taxes where not effective in discouraging the illegal dumping of waste, and that the lack advertisements, and difficulties in obtaining recycled materials played a crucial role in the under-use of recycled materials.