Sustainable development – Page 2 – Architecture Student Chronicles

Where should Sustainable Development begin first?

March 23, 2013July 28, 2012 by Architect

Beginning of Sustainable Development in the West

Development is often discussed in relation to developing countries but in fact, it is a concept which relates to all parts of the world at every level, from individual to global tranfromations (Potter etal., 1999) Development is something to which we all aspire. Ideas about the best means by which to achieve our aspiration and needs are potentially as old as the human civilization.

Here are are a couple questions that we need to ask ourselves. I did it and answered them all. Now it is your turn to answer.

Why are we always talking about the developing countries in terms of sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is not just a concept for developing nations, it is majorly derived for the developed nations because people in the west have the strength, money and power to afford the kind of lifestyle that requires heavy intensive use of energy.

Developing nations are constantly imitating the west. Why exactly are we so worried about people in the developing world regarding their use of resource? Are we scared that in their process of imitating the west, they would start utilizing the same amount of resources that the west uses? That is a scary thought indeed!

25% of the population of the world has used up more than 50% of the energy resources of the planet. That is definitely something to worry about.

Issues concerning Sustainability | Need for Sustainable Environment

December 22, 2011December 21, 2011 by Architect

Issues concerning Sustainability

Holistic approach to the issue of sustainability is required. Understanding the importance of the development of sustainable environment is very important.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable Development is important for the environmental stability of our Mother Earth… The main focus of Sustainable Development is to preserve the natural resources and use them very cautiously so that we can protect our Mother Earth from devastation…!!

Earth will continue to support life if humans will be able to create a sustainable environment successfully

The definition is based on two concepts:

The concept of needs, comprising of the conditions for maintaining an acceptable life standard for all people, and
The concept of limits of the capacity of the environment to fulfil the needs of the present and the future, determined by the state of technology and social organization.

Limitless growth (Misconception)

Change in the perception of the people has to be brought about. Growing at the expense of others is a wrong mindset that most of the developed nations keep.

Confuse capital with income

The vital resource such as oil is taken as a source of income. They do not realize that there is a big difference between capital and income. They have mistaken resource as their income. Hence, it is depleting at a great speed.

Role of Architects in Modern Concepts in Sustainable Design

February 14, 2011 by Architect

Role of Architects in Modern Concepts in Sustainable Design

The concept of Sustainability has been misunderstood today. Acceptance of this new concept by the people has not really been satisfactory. People are reluctant to compromise the kind of lifestyle they live. This compromises the aim of achieving Sustainability.

Green Buildings, improved Sustainability, economy for all and thereby better future is an important issue that needs thought. Reducing energy consumption in a building is not enough. Many dimensions need to be considered to achieve sustainability like-transportation networks, environmental management etc.

Sustainable Development - Solar Towers utilize the natural resource of the Sun

For people who do not agree with the concept of Sustainability:

The concept of sustainability is brought up for the betterment of human species and not for the earth. The Earth can survive without humans. Sustainability is for us to survive on earth.

Architects all over the world have been focussing on the concept of Sustainability. There has been a lot of chaos and confusion in actually understanding the gist of this unusual concept.

In one of the previous articles regarding “Sustainable Development“, we discussed the Sustainability factors, how the world has changed its trend from Sustainable to Unsustainable….

The definition of Sustainable Development is based on two concepts:

The concept of needs, comprising of the conditions for maintaining an acceptable life standard for all people, and
The concept of limits of the capacity of the environment to fulfil the needs of the present and the future, determined by the state of technology and social organization.

These are the two major concepts that the Architects have to keep in mind while executing any design concept which speaks of sustainability.

Design of a Dog Powerhouse | Revolutionary Method for Energy Generation

September 25, 2010 by Architect

Dog Powerhouse

Sounds really strange to the ears, doesn’t it? At the beginning, it doesn’t really make much sense. But this could prove to be an ideal way to increase the production of energy without the utilization of limited energy resources.

Dog Powerhouse could play an important in sustaining the environment. It could be counted under Sustainable Development.

“Sustaining the Sustainable.”

Design of a Dog Powerhouse

Design of a Dog Powerhouse can be split into four major parts for better understanding:

In this article, we will try and understand the concept of Dog Powerhouse and Need for such a Venture.

What is a Dog Powerhouse?

The Dog Powerhouse is a space where in stray dogs about three hundred in numbers are housed. The dogs are trained to run on treadmills or training wheels. The training wheel has dynamos. Gears and inverters attached to it.

Hence a power station is to be formulated where dogs are trained, housed and are used for generating power. This, to rehabilitate the pariah dog or the stray dogs which escaped domestication centuries ago.