Sustainable Development and Energy Topics in Bucks County + Africa

As our TPA group is still deciding between 2 equally plausible and noteworthy options for the final project I will attempt to cover both possibilities equally. The first option is an to cooperate and expand upon the ‘Green’ specifications of Newtown’s planned LEED Township building that is expected to begin construction later this year. The TPA group would work in cooperation with The Stone House Group of Bensalem to monitor and improve upon the proposed LEED –Silver township expansion. As per the township meetings minutes on March 17, 2008 that the proposed location expansion already should have at least 18 points toward LEED certification. Through further consultation and free work that the township can utilize through the TPA, I believe that it may be possible to achieve LEED-Gold certification through minimal additional cost. Newtown sits roughly 167ft above sea level and is located around 40°13′42″N 74°55′56″W / 40.22833, -74.9322. The area of Newtown receives an average of 3.9in of rain a month so storm water management is important when earning credits under LEED. Additionally it is not uncommon for temperatures to range from around 18 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit making the efficiency of the building crucial for saving money.

The second option for our TPA project is to help design the green specifications for a proposed education center/elementary school in Abia State, Nigeria. While this project is not planning on seeking LEED certification it is hoping to be first green-sustainable school in West Africa. Slightly earlier in the planning stage than the Newtown Township building, the education center is still looking for funding to take its project to the next stage, this is never-the-less an excellent time to get onboard and make a difference. Firmly committed to the principles of sustainability, the projects founders, Emenike Ukazim and Chidi Ukazim who are both originally from the tiny village of Otampa – Isuikwuato in Abia State, are hoping to make their dream of facilitating education to people in their hometown who have no access to education a reality by making their building as efficient as possible. This would serve not just the immediate community but the State as a whole. Over 60% of the State’s 4.22 million people live within thirty miles radius of Otampa, Isuikwuato, and the location of the education center.[1] Since Isuikwuato is located at about 5° latitude and 9° longitude, it receives over twelve hours of sunlight per day. Solar Energy Systems would therefore be the main source of electricity. To overcome the lack of public water system, water wells will be drilled, which could also double as geothermal opportunities. Finally the heavy tropical rain in the region will be harvested by building underground reservoirs.[2] Ultimately the money saving and educational goals of the school are, to create a school for the future that has its primary focus on educating the whole person. Sustainably educating the whole person for the future means solar lighting and cooling, rain-harvesting, a clean water-well system, recycling mentality, entrepreneurial training, health and nutrition training, sanitation and hygiene training, HIV – AIDS awareness training, and farming the land to grow most of the communities food.

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[1] Based on a 2005 census of the area.[2] All of these expenses are accounted for in their construction cost, estimated at over $300,000.

How do Green Building Programs and Policies Promote the three E-s of Sustainability?

Photo by Daniel Suchenski

Policies and programs operating on both local and national levels around the world have made significant strides in recent years toward promoting green building practices and specifically the three E’s of sustainability. While the approach and success of these initiatives has varied, the intent is clear. More attention and effort must be paid to, not only the environment, but the interconnectedness of the environment to everything from the economy to society and a higher standard of living for all.

The three E’s of sustainability – sometimes called the ‘triple bottom line’ – states that, not only is the environment, the economy and equitable/social benefits essential to our lives, these three things are also fundamentally interrelated. “It is a surprise to many people first learning about sustainable design that the movement and philosophy is as much about people as it is about the environment”[1] says McLennan. The irony of course being that all too often, efforts to be sustainable are framed by the media and corporations as “as contest between people and the environment or, more to the point, jobs versus the environment.”[2] This characterization is not only inaccurate as it attempts to frame up the discussion, but also completely ignores the effect poor environment has on people. Comfort and productivity are just as much a factor in the interconnectedness of the three E’s as growth and profit.

If humans expect to increase economies and expand growth through use of the environment it stands to reason that countries that manage to better protect their economies without putting undue stress on the environment will be more productive. In fact, according to a large international study conducted b y MIT “States with Stronger environmental policies consistently out-perform the weaker environmental states on all the economic measures.”[3] For example China has for decades enjoyed staggering growth in the order of nine to ten percent GDP. However recent studies are now suggesting that the cost of China’s environmental degradation may be equal or greater than its GDP growth rate. According to the United Nations Development program’s report, the damage to the ecosystem costs China about 9 percent of its GDP.[4] Even more recently, the Xinhua news agency, reporting from inside the mainland China published in September of this year that as early as 2005 the environmental impact costs China more than its annual GDP.[5] The rest of the world seems to be listening. Using China as an example to demonstrate the true costs of ignoring the holistic nature of effective progress and the three E’s of sustainability countries all over the world, including China, are instating policies and programs to stimulate sustainable alternatives, including green building practices.

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References:
[1] McLennan, Jason F. The Philosophy of Sustainable Design. Kansas City: Ecotone, 2004. P46[2] Ibid. p 46[3] From the Greening of Conservative America pg 23.[4]http://www.undp.org.cn/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&catid=13&topic=6&sid=348&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0[5] http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/12/content_9940679.htm

Philosophy Of Sustainable Design

Photo by Daniel Suchenski

In his book The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, Jason McLennan defines sustainable design as “a design philosophy that seeks to maximize the quality of the built environment, while minimizing or eliminating negative impact to the natural environment.”[1] This is a useful definition for McLennan as he seeks to establish sustainable design, first and foremost as a philosophy. In so doing McLennan establishes sustainable design, not simply as a ‘stylistic endeavor,’ but as a pervasive and necessary force that must be integral in all applications of design. Having grasped the initial overtures of McLennan’s discussion it is prudent, as a second step, to delve into the more subtle implications of such a discussion. Is it right or wanted to try and establish sustainable design as a philosophy? What are the benefits? What are the obstacles? While there are often many obstacles impeding new ideas as an established and familiar way of doing things is replaced by a newer one, there is invariably going to be resistance. While there are some noteworthy obstacles toward sustainable design being categorized as a philosophy, ultimately the benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls.

Having grown up in a small mining town famous for its nickel exports and its environmental degradation, McLennan left Ontario to learn all he could about sustainable design and green alternatives. Ultimately becoming one of the most knowledgeable in the field of sustainable design, McLennan’s efforts to make sustainable design a philosophy is really an effort to legitimize sustainability as more than a passing fancy, more than an ‘aesthetic exercise.’ The benefits of legitimizing sustainable design are most notably increased quality and the reduction or elimination or negative effects on the natural environment. The greater implications of these ‘benefits’ is increased longevity of both the natural environment as well as healthier happier and longer lives for each of us.

This is an Excerpt only and may not be copied or cited without permission, Please Contact me to learn more.

[1] McLennan, Jason F. The Philosophy of Sustainable Design. Kansas City: Ecotone, 2004.