Archive for Urban Living
The height of Eco-Friendly - World’s tallest buildings face new contender
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London's Post Office Tower
It all started with the church in the village where I grew up , it’s stone spire could be seen from a few miles away as it was the tallest building in our little town. As a youngster I was ridiculously impressed by tall and grand buildings, as a little kid when visiting London I was amazed at the twin spires of Westminster Abbey (69 M 225 FT) and the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral (112 M 366 FT), before then being transfixed by the tallest tower (at the time) in London - The Post Office Tower (now named the BT Tower standing at 188 M 617 FT). As a small boy that building seemed impossibly tall and so it remained until the first time I visited Paris on a school trip when I was about eight. It was there that I first saw the Eiffel Tower - not so much a building as a steel observation deck but certainly enough to thrill me and the tallest yet (not to mention very metric exactly 300.0M or 984 feet).
burj-khalifa in Dubai
My dad used to travel to the US and Canada on business a lot and when I was ten we were taken on a family trip which was really masquerading as a business trip but my tall building buzz saw new highs. We flew into JFK and I was lucky enough to visit and go to the top of the Empire State Building (381M) and The World Trade Centre (417M 1368 FT). At more than double the height of the Post Office Tower plus the incredible vastness of the building I remember just looking up in awe - and of course there were two of them! It seemed to my 10 year old brain that the trip was designed around my tall building hobby (it wasn’t) as we also visited Chicago which of course features the Sears Tower, the tallest in the world at the time (442M 1451 FT). My holy grail was visited and I had the photos to prove it.
As I grew older my interest in tall buildings waned, and although I ended up living in one and working in one for a short time I found other interests that replaced my early passion. I’ve paid marginal attention as the Sears Tower was trumped by new skyscrapers in Asia and wept (for reasons beyond the obvious) when the twin towers in New York came crashing down on that dark day in 2001. My interest was rekindled by the recent construction and opening of the new top tower in Dubai - the Burj Khalifa is a staggering height (828M 2717 FT). I can’t even conceive of a building being that tall and photographs and videos such as the one beneath make it seem computer generated against the desert background.
From an environmental perspective the newest buildings are also using more methods of green construction. Not just smaller buildings and homes are benefiting from new concepts of sustainable construction by skyscrapers around the world are also incorporating design ideas that consider more than height. There is now news of a potential tower being constructed later this decade in Miami, Florida that would not only been taller than the current pinnacle in Dubai but also potentially the one of the largest eco-friendly buildings ever built.
The proposed Miapolis
The proposed structure is the Miapolis, if it gets built the 975 meter high tower could potentially beat out Dubai’s Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building if built. Designed by KOBI KARP, Miapolis would be more than just a building - it would be a vertical self-contained city. They utilize the most cutting-edge sustainable systems and practices within the design, it would be the largest LEED-certified structure at any rating level in the United States. The staggering 160-floor tower would contain entertainment and residential spaces within including an amusement park, observatory, restaurants, 2 million sq ft of shops, over 1000 apartments, 1 million sq ft of office space and a 792 room hotel. *(some elevators too I’m guessing)
Miapolis’ eco-credibility includes the use of 60% wind energy, a modular green roof, greenhouse gas management, water desalinization, storm and wastewater management, solid waste management and much more. Will it actually happen? There is a list of proposed super towers as long as my arm that never came to fruition - but to think that the tallest building in the world might also boast a very green core - that would be the height of eco-friendly.
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Top ten green building trends (part two)
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Recently we looked at the first five of the top ten building trends that are anticipated in 2010. The list was compiled by the Earth Advantage Institute and compiled some very practical examples of what can pass for achievable practices to incorporate in eco-friendly construction. Its very encouraging to see the changes and progress recent years have brought to green construction and the logic and desire for long term objectives over short term cost savings is a balance that is swinging in the right direction. So, onto the final five:
6. Eco districts - Perhaps above all of the other concepts this is the most logical step when new communities are being built. Again it involves learning from the past and is very European, constructing homes so that the residents can walk or bike to the places they work, shop or dine. Planned construction can reduce the reliance on cars and urban living can be achieved even in suburban areas. The incorporation of green space and making districts very pedestrian focused can be further enhanced by green coding on the building where the residents work and play.
7. Water Conservation - The EPA have announced ‘watersense’ specifications for all new homes which reduces water consumption by 20% versus a traditional home. When you consider that over half of all water use is residential the positive impact of the program can be monumental. Energy labeling and certification for homes is probably just around the corners as such programs are already in place in Europe.
8. Carbon Calculation - This may surprise you but building contribute about 50% of all carbon emissions that are released into our environment. In the years ahead this will become a critical component of green construction, presently both methods to measure a building’s performance coupled with more efficient construction methods are being developed. The evolution in this process will create carbon credits and local or regional units equipped to make improved recommendations and set standards.
9. Net Zero Buildings - The ultimate badge of honour in residential or commercial construction. This type of construction would (naturally) generate more energy than it uses. While this presents quite a challenge, the move toward smaller more energy efficient buildings coupled with renewable energy resources onsite such as wind, solar or geo-exchange systems make this possible. The developments in solar alone make the concept in sunnier regions fully viable in the near future.
10. Sustainable Building Education - This is a bit of a catch all but is a necessary step for an industry that is needing to reinvent itself in some circumstances. Ensuring developers make time to learn about green building and establish credentials, will enable the momentum for being buyers not to be lost. So much of the progress will be contingent on local municipal bodies but the change is definitely occurring in many cities. The crest of this progress is once again when people understand and more importantly can actually see the value of greener construction. Hence the education aspect is vital in all spheres from roofing manufacturers, to city planners and even estate agents.
So there you have it, ten very tangible trends that in harmony will create a society that impacts the environment in a positive way on a daily basis. The key will be awareness - as ever.
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Green Gazette (Issue 29) Penguins outnumbered and U2 guitarist in eco-debate
Posted by: | CommentsHello again and welcome back to the blog for last few days of 2009. Wherever you read this and however you celebrate the season I hope you are having a safe and happy holiday. In the interests of the festive spirit I’ll save what I want to write about Copenhagen and the Climate Summit until the next post, in summary the results from Denmark were not good enough and arguably a step backwards. Not the eco-news we really need to take into a new decade which in essence heightens the importance of making good personal choices when shopping, using energy and looking at the way that we live. If governments can’t take matters as seriously as they should then we need to be sure we educate ourselves and those around us about the state of the planet and how to safeguard its future. I’ll keep looking for developments, inventions and ideas on the Green Gazette and ask that you consider our site for ways you can participate in sustainable practices.
This story from the Daily Telegraph shows that eco-tourism can potentially have the very opposite impact intended if planning isn’t as thorough as it should be. Eco-Tourism is a growing proposition globally with the emphasis being on the opportunity to visit places off the beaten track and
vaction in a style that is as green as possible. While many resorts are successfully accomplishing this it seems that tourism to Antarctica is having a impact that is more costly than the benefits of increased awareness harvested by those who visit the frozen wilderness. This relatively new destination saw over 40,000 visitors travel to the bottom of the earth last year in what is now becoming a procession of ships through waters that normally saw nothing more than the occasional scientific expedition. Ship fuel and assorted trash from the new convoys are placing the delicate eco-system of the Antarctic under increasing pressure and imbalance. This in tandem with wildlife being disturbed by the near constant curiosity of the eco-sensitive tourists. Talk about best laid plans going wrong. Hopefully a solution can be found where awareness is raised without in turn raising the complexity of the problems that the South Pole (and by default all of us) faces.
Outrageously famous Irish band U2 are making some eco waves due to a project that guitarist The Edge (do you think he’ll stick with that name into his 50’s?) is behind on the California coast in Malibu. If you review the website behind the project it seems that the five unique homes that 
will be carved into the mountains above the coast are at the cutting edge (unintended pun) of eco-friendly design in terms of both construction and visual appeal when completed. ‘Leaves in The Wind’ isn’t a new U2 song but is the name of the development. Truth be told the features of the five homes incorporate as much and probably more of all that you could ask from a responsible manufacturer in our current climate. Energy efficient heating and cooling, LEED certified and the best of environmental exterior design should all be considerations that would make this project be endorsed by the beach community of Malibu. If you’ve ever driven through the town you know that there are decades of ugly and inefficient buildings standing in every direction as zoning seemingly wasn’t the concern it is today. So when the L.A. Times published this article today, you wonder how this has escalated into a war of ideas, principles and debate. At this juncture the project has not been approved for construction and it seems The Edge and the website are doing their best to ensure that it is viewed as a very green development and that if more of the California coastline looked like this it would be a better place for everyone.
As you dig deeper you begin to wonder if this is political, anti-celebrity or a community saying thanks but no thanks. Having studied both sides of the equation I’m not yet sure where I stand. I don’t really think Malibu needs any more construction, but if you must build at least do so to stringent eco-standards. It appears the proposal reaches those standards until you read the counterpoints. More/wider roads would need to be built, driveways as long as 1,800 feet would weave their way up the mountainside that is currently unspoiled. Sewage and water lines would need to be plumbed and so the list goes on. I do know this, there are uglier, less efficient, non eco-considerate dwellings throughout the hills and mountains of Southern California. If new home construction will inevitably continue for the elite, surely a home that has the specs of these ones is preferable? Wouldn’t Malibu be a more beautiful place without a 4 lane road full of traffic plowing within 50 feet of the coast be a bigger thing to focus on. We’ll learn what happens with this in the months ahead - I’m positive there are bigger transgressions daily but the price of fame is making sure that the guitar player from a band famed for their global awareness is casting a brighter spotlight on this particular matter.
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Finding a Green Living Education all around
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Canada’s wild life is in danger, with urban areas always encroaching on field and woods and animals are finding that their habitats are being destroyed. So what can the average person do about it? The first step is to get yourself a green living education, but how does one achieve that? Well there are many projects big and small that one can take part in to help out woodland creature and bugs. For many great ideas, check out Hinterland’s who’s who at www.hww.ca. The site aims to give the public a green living education on environmental issues mainly concerning bugs and wildlife.
Let’s look at a way to rid pesticides from our homes and schools, note that some of these projects may be great to pull out and try in the spring. Grow marigolds, garlic, chrysanthemums, basil, savory, or mint among schoolyard plants. Their odors and secretions repel many pests. Another great adult only tip is to brew your own bug spray. Mix 100 ml of crushed hot peppers with 400 ml of water. Strain the concoction and spray it on infested plants. (Note that hot peppers can irritate eyes and skin).
A great community project is to share your knowledge and concerns with parents, teachers, students, your principal, custodians, nurses, and other staff. Ask interested parties to sign a pledge to reduce or abolish the spraying of pesticides in your schoolyard. You and your community group/school council can write letters to local politicians urging tighter controls over pesticides. Submit a news release stating your concerns to community newspaper, television, and radio reporters. Encourage them to run commentaries on the hazards of bug and weed killers. A letter writing campaign is also something that teachers might want to look into, as it would be a great way to give kids a green living education as part of an English lesson for grade school kids. Yet another great idea to help reduce pesticides, in and around your community is to approach your municipal council with a proposal to prohibit or restrict the spraying of pesticides. Towns like Chelsea, Hudson, and Westmount, Quebec, have passed by-laws banning the cosmetic use of these chemicals.
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