Environmental sustainability in regards to infrastructure and the built environment is a significant consideration for the Department of National Defence (DND). As the 2nd largest landowner in Canada, the DND is making great efforts to operate in a sustainable manner through the creation and implementation of sustainable building policies. Meeting the green/sustainable buildings requirements of the recent Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, and the 2006 DND Sustainable Development Strategy to achieve accreditation within generic green building systems, has proven to be extremely challenging given the mandate and the nature of Canadian Forces (CF) operations, both domestically and overseas. This line of research was conducted in order to identify the unique requirements and the sustainability factors/criteria that are applicable to the CF / DND and to investigate how to best align these requirements within the context of sustainable development strategies. Input data was obtained through an analysis of literature and relevant documents, as well as a series of interviews with individuals at all levels within the Federal Government. The result of this research undertaking was, in part, the creation of a Sustainable Development for DND based on a thorough, comprehensive and internationally-investigated factor selection process. These results illustrate the importance for the DND to consider implementing a department-specific sustainable building strategy; one that is more representative of the unique type of infrastructure DND owns and operates. The results of such an investigation can surely be used to assist with best practices and strategic policies within DND and to potentially influence policies at the Federal level of governance in this regard. The ultimate goal of this thesis was to establish the policy framework with a view for DND to develop and implement its own unique Sustainability Standard. / Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-11-29 14:21:37.63

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Building (Property Development and Management). / This study investigated the outlook business travellers to and within South Africa have towards green hotels. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which greenness affects consumers in South Africa. This was achieved by reviewing literature related to green hotels and consumers’ attitudes towards green products and its competitiveness in the market. A questionnaire was compiled based on existing literature. Data was collected by means of an online survey and the data was tested using the chi square frequency test. The findings indicated that respondents had a positive attitude towards greening hotels but the chi-test indicated that there was agreement on the positive relationship between greening hotels and perception. Guests believed that a standard should be set for green hotels as well as that if a conventional and green hotel served the same function, the green hotel would be the preferred choice. It is important for green hotels to incorporate a premium into the hotel bill. Future research should establish a model that the hotel can adopt to include a premium in the pricing of the hotel. The potential benefits of this study will be to improve the brand and corporate image of the hotel alongside contributing to a sustainable environment.

College campuses, with significant numbers of older facilities, have the opportunity to lead the green building movement while reaping economic, health, environmental, educational, and marketing benefits. This project assessed the current status of green building programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the costs and benefits of building green, and the costs and benefits of LEED certification to make the business case for LEED-certified buildings. This project also proposed a strategic plan for green building programs at WPI to promote and measure green building improvements to new and existing facilities. Lastly, this project assessed the feasibility of certifying existing facilities with the LEED Existing Building rating system. By evaluating all of the costs and the major benefits, the results of this project demonstrate that the benefits of building green and LEED certification outweigh the costs and that through strategic planning WPI can become a leader among colleges implementing green building programs.

Submitted by Fabricia Fialho Reginato (fabriciar) on 2015-06-25T22:55:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DanielaFastofski.pdf: 3816296 bytes, checksum: c32c92056ea3373431fc7b52e7d514aa (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-25T22:55:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DanielaFastofski.pdf: 3816296 bytes, checksum: c32c92056ea3373431fc7b52e7d514aa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-11-21 / Nenhuma / A indústria da construção civil apresenta reconhecida importância para a economia global, ao mesmo tempo em que se caracteriza como uma atividade geradora de impactos ambientais e sociais significativos. A incorporação de estratégias que proporcionem empreendimentos mais sustentáveis é essencial para que se possa contribuir com a minimização dos impactos e para a maior qualidade de vida das comunidades envolvidas. As certificações ambientais indicam diretrizes que podem garantir a realização de um empreendimento mais sustentável. O Selo Casa Azul, concedido pela Caixa Econômica Federal, se trata de um sistema de classificação desenvolvido para a realidade brasileira, considerando os aspectos regionais. Através do presente estudo se buscou verificar a viabilidade de aplicação desta metodologia. Os objetivos específicos são avaliar empreendimentos habitacionais verticais quanto a sua adequação ao Selo Casa Azul, identificar limitações existentes para atender aos requisitos e as relações com diferentes padrões construtivos e quais destes poderiam vir a ser mais facilmente atendidos a partir de alterações simples. A investigação está embasada em estudo de casos de empreendimentos habitacionais típicos de Caxias do Sul, RS subsidiados por diferentes fontes de recursos. Como resultado, verificou-se que o Selo Casa Azul demonstra uma relativa facilidade de aplicação sendo, portanto, uma ferramenta viável, apesar de terem sido necessários esclarecimentos junto à Caixa. No que concerne ao padrão construtivo, alguns critérios podem ser mais facilmente apreendidos quando não se tratam de recursos limitados, tendo sido observado, contudo, que parte da dificuldade de adequação deve-se às práticas das empresas e da própria construção civil. A partir dos resultados verificou-se ainda que nenhum dos empreendimentos avaliados atenderia ao Selo já que todos deixam de satisfazer a algum critério obrigatório, bem como nenhum atingiu ao menos 50% do total de critérios propostos. Dos 53 critérios, cerca de 25% não foram atendidos por todos os empreendimentos. / The construction industry has great importance to the global economy, while it is characterized as an activity that generates significant environmental and social impacts. Incorporating strategies that provide more sustainable buildings is essential so that one can help to minimize these impacts and greater quality of life to the communities involved. Environmental certifications indicates guidelines that can guarantee the achievement of a more sustainable development. The Selo Casa Azul (Blue House Seal), awarded by the Brazilian federal bank Caixa, it’s a classification system developed for the brazilian reality considering regional aspects. This study was oriented to verify the feasibility of applying this certification. The specific objectives are analyze vertical housing developments as its suitability for the Selo Casa Azul, identify existing limitations to meet the requirements and their correlation to different construction standards and which of these could become more easily met from simple changes. The research is based on case studies in typical housing developments in Caxias do Sul, Brazil subsidized by different resources. As a result, it was found that the Selo Casa Azul demonstrates the relative ease of application, therefore, a viable tool, although necessary clarifications from bank’ staff. Concerning the construction standards some criteria may be more easily seized when the resources are not limited, however, it was observed that part of difficulty of fitness is due to the practices of companies and the construction itself. From the results it was also verified that none of the analyzed developments attend the Seal, since all fail to satisfy a mandatory criterion, and none has reached at least 50 % of total proposed criteria. Of the 53 criteria, about 25 % were not attended by all of the developments.

As building codes and green building programs require tighter home construction, the need for outdoor air ventilation to improve indoor air quality increases. Major improvements in building envelopes and duct systems have led to decreases in heating and cooling loads causing fewer HVAC system run-time hours, and increasing the probability for air stagnation within homes with poor outdoor air ventilation. ASHRAE Standard 62.2 quantifies the amount of whole-house ventilation required based on the number of occupants and the square footage of conditioned space, but leaves the design of the ventilation system up to the mechanical engineer or HVAC contractor. In 2010, ASHRAE began requiring flow testing for confirmation of outdoor air ventilation rates, yet few municipalities and green building programs have adopted the new standard. Builders in mixed-humid climates are forced to balance the need for outdoor air ventilation with the upfront costs for mechanical ventilation systems, and the potential for increased humidity loads and energy costs associated with mechanical ventilation strategies. One common solution employed in the southeastern United States involves a central fan integrated supply (CFIS) ventilation system controlled with an air-cycler for minimum run-time to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.2. While this system has been tested and proven to meet design ventilation rates, those tests were often conducted on homes constructed by well trained builders receiving strong oversight from building scientists and the design ventilation rates were not always ASHRAE compliant. The following report analyzes whether the CFIS ventilation system with air-cycler controller provides ventilation meeting ASHRAE Standard 62.2 when employed by builders with minimal training and support.

This thesis summarizes the results from several studies with connection to sustainability in construction and management of real estate. Here, the concept sustainability includes environmental, social and economic dimensions and focus is on the actors with the best possibilities to impact real estate, namely the real estate owners and the developers. The thesis consists of six papers. Real estate owners’ perception of and incentives and strategies for sustainability was studied in four ways: incentives for energy efficiency and other sustainability issues in connection to renovation (papers I and II), factors that characterize firms with an ambitious approach to energy efficiency (paper V) and economic incentives for energy efficiency (paper VI). Developers’ behavior and impact on sustainability was studied in two ways: how developers’ planning and construction methods may influence energy consumption for future residents (paper III) and how developers relate to requirements for building environmental certification levels (paper IV). The first paper aims to clarify how housing firms see and treat energy efficiency matters in connection to renovation of multi-family buildings constructed during the 1960’s and 70’s. Interviews with housing firms resulted in four ideal housing firm types illustrating that housing firms have more or less incentives to improve energy efficiency. The second paper aimed to study a model for renovation of buildings in a residential area in peripheral Stockholm and to assess how it considers environmental, social and economic sustainability as well as technical concerns. Paper V builds on the results in paper I and aims to identify factors, on a firm level as well as in the surroundings of the firm, that characterize housing firms who own multi-family buildings from the 1960’s and 70’s and who have an ambitious approach to energy efficiency. Paper VI uses information from energy performance certificates to study whether better energy performance increases the selling price of single-family homes, which would increase owners’ incentives to improve energy efficiency. Paper III takes its starting point in an indicated shift in developers’ planning and construction practices for laundry facilities in owner-occupied multi-family buildings. The paper aims to clarify whether a shift has actually occurred from communal laundry rooms to in-unit laundry appliances and to illuminate the impact this could have on residents’ energy consumption for laundry. Paper IV reports the study of how developers who have adopted the environmental certification system LEED relate to the requirements for specific certification levels and how updated requirements risk undermining developers’ incentives for sustainable construction. / Den här avhandlingen sammanfattar arbetet från flera studier med koppling till hållbarhet inom bygg och förvaltning av fastigheter. Begreppet hållbarhet omfattar här tre dimensioner: miljömässig, social och ekonomisk hållbarhet, och fokus ligger på de aktörer som har mest möjlighet att påverka fastigheterna, nämligen fastighetsägare och projektutvecklare. I avhandlingen ingår sex uppsatser. Fastighetsägares uppfattning av och incitament och strategier för hållbarhet undersöktes på fyra olika sätt: incitament för energieffektivisering och andra hållbarhetsfrågor i samband med renovering (uppsats I och II), faktorer som karaktäriserar företag med ett ambitiöst förhållningssätt i energieffektiviseringsfrågor (uppsats V) samt ekonomiska incitament för energieffektivisering (uppsats VI). Projektutvecklares beteende och påverkan på hållbarhet undersöktes på två sätt: hur projektutvecklares planering och byggmetoder kan påverka energianvändningen för framtida boende (uppsats III) och hur projektutvecklare förhåller sig till kravnivåer i miljöcertifiering av byggnader (uppsats IV). Den första uppsatsen syftar till att belysa hur bostadsföretag ser på och behandlar energieffektiviseringsfrågor i samband med renovering av flerbostadshus byggda under miljonprogrammet. Baserat på intervjuer med bostadsföretag resulterade den explorativa studien i konstruktionen av fyra idealtyper av bostadsföretag med mer eller mindre incitament för att energieffektivisera. Den andra uppsatsen syftade till att undersöka en modell för renovering av miljonprogramshus i ett bostadsområde i Stockholms ytterområden och bedöma hur den tar hänsyn till miljömässig, social och ekonomisk hållbarhet tillsammans med tekniska överväganden. Uppsats V bygger på resultaten i uppsats I och syftar till att urskilja faktorer, såväl på företagsnivå som i företagets omgivning, som karaktäriserar bostadsföretag som äger flerbostadshus från miljonprogramsåren och som har en ambitiös hållning i energieffektiviseringsfrågor. Uppsats VI använder information från energideklarationer för att undersöka om bättre energiprestanda ökar försäljningspriset på småhus, något som skulle öka ägarens incitament för energieffektivisering. Uppsats III utgår från en indikerad förändring i projektutvecklares planering och byggmetoder av tvättinrättningar i flerbostadshus med bostadsrätt. Uppsatsen syftar till att klarlägga om en förändring har skett från gemensam tvättstuga till tvättmöjligheter i den egna bostaden och belysa vilken effekt det skulle kunna ha på de boendes energianvändning för tvätt. I uppsats IV klarläggs hur projektutvecklare som bygger enligt miljöcertifieringssystemet LEED förhåller sig till kraven för att uppnå nivåerna för att klassificeras och hur uppdaterade kravnivåer riskerar att undergräva projektutvecklarnas incitament för att bygga hållbart. / <p>QC 20141218</p>

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

It is doubtless that global warming is enhanced by human activities, and being accelerated in recent years. The building sector is one of the main contributors in carbon emissions over the world, which contributed to over 20%. Hong Kong is a typical metropolis located in the sub-tropical region, whereas financing and servicing are the major industries supporting the development of the city. With these industries, it implies the major carbon emission is from buildings of commercial and residential sectors. A wide range of policies and researches on high efficient / green building design were conducted in the Western countries since the 90s, and there are more in the Asia Pacific since 2000. Among different countries there are many methods in calculating carbon emissions, which are similar in principle and different in the details. It is important to agree a consistenct framework on the calculation of carbon emission and study the performance of different carbon reduction strategies, hence to serve a reference for designers. This study conducted a critical review on the calculation of carbon emission, hence definition of carbon emissions. The review classified different calculation methods by 7 factors, which are the major governors on the results. All methods reviewed in the section were either current standards or methods suggested by scholars. With the critical review, a potential calculation methodology is suggested and will used for the calculation in the later part. A case study was carried out for the identification of the strategies used on two zero carbon buildings and one zero energy building. The study shows these buildings used similar strategies on the emission reduction, including photovoltaics, well insulated fabric, natural lighting, natural ventilation, high efficient lighting system and solar hot water system. A computer simulation was used to analyze the performance of different strategies that could be used on buildings in Hong Kong climate. Commercial buildings and residential buildings are selected as sample buildings for the analysis. A baseline building is setup with typical design. The computer simulation studied the strategies used by other buildings from case study and compares their effect with baseline building. The simulation shows that a zero carbon residential building is possible with sufficient offsetting on the building surface. However, office building cannot be zero carbon by applying the analyzed strategies. The study shows solar hot water is the most effective strategy for residential buildings and day lighting is the most effective strategy for office buildings. / published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

The global climate has been affected adversely due to the emissions of large amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and there is an urgent need for emissions reduction. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas and the reduction of its emissions is indispensable to the achievement of sustainable development. The building sector is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions and one way to reduce the emissions is uplifting the energy efficiency of existing buildings by conducting sustainable building refurbishment. As cost would affect the decisions on sustainable building refurbishment strategies, it is necessary to examine the cost of various sustainable refurbishment solutions for existing buildings. Unfortunately, most of the previous studies focused on the technical side with little effort being directed to cost side. Therefore, cost analysis of sustainable building refurbishment solutions should be conducted to fill the research gap. The aim of the research is to develop a cost estimation model to facilitate decision makers to evaluate the cost of sustainable building refurbishment solutions for residential buildings in Hong Kong by considering various factors affecting the cost. The major research methods include literature review, interview and questionnaire survey. Through literature review, the current practice of sustainable building refurbishment is investigated. A variety of refurbishment solutions including improvement on building envelope, renovation of building services system and the use of renewable energy are reviewed. Cost evaluation techniques commonly used in the construction industry including qualitative techniques, quantitative techniques and intelligent methods are also identified and discussed. Due to the limitations of cost data and previous experience, it is suggested that fuzzy logic theory be adopted to develop the cost estimation model. To facilitate the development of the model, the factors affecting the cost of sustainable building refurbishment solutions are examined through literature review and interview. It is found that market price, complexity, efficiency, economy of scale and disturbance are the dominant factors affecting the fluctuation of cost. Finally, a fuzzy reasoning cost estimation model of sustainable building refurbishment solutions is developed. The model is built based on fuzzy reasoning system. Users can input the information of the project and the model is able to evaluate the cost fluctuation based on the information provided by the users. The model is then validated. The cost estimation model developed in this research provides a new way for the construction industry practitioners to estimate the cost of sustainable building refurbishment projects effectively and efficiently. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.