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PurposeReportedly, green roof (GR) makes a significant contribution towards a truly sustainable-built environment;however, its implementation is yet to hit a sufficient level in developing countries. Thus, this study assesses GR implementation strategies in developing countries by providing a comparative analysis through experts in Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Turkey.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a four-step methodological approach to achieve the research aim: literature review, focus group discussion, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) analysis and correlation analyses. First, a literature review followed by a focus group discussion is used to determine 18 (out of 25 initially) strategies for the selected context and these are classified into three categories: governmental and institutional support, knowledge and information and policy and regulation. Afterward, the identified GR strategies are evaluated using the FAHP with the data gathered from the experts in the countries studied. Finally, correlation analyses were used to observe the strength of agreement between the assessments of experts from the included countries.FindingsThe findings indicate that financial incentives, low-cost government loans and subsidies and tax rebates are the essential strategies for the wider adoption of GR. Evaluating the policy and regulations strategies also showed that mandatory GR policies and regulations and better enforcement of the developed GR policies are ranked as the most prominent strategies. The findings show a low level of agreement among respondents from Kazakhstan, while there is a high level of agreement between the experts in Malaysia and Turkey.Research limitations/implicationsThe research contribution is twofold. First (research implication), the study identifies the strategies through a complete literature review. Second, the identified strategies are evaluated through the lenses of experts in three developing countries which are hoped to provide (practical contribution) a better understanding of the most effective strategies that require attention and enable the frontline stakeholders (particularly government authorities) to focus on them.Originality/valueThe study findings provide a good point of departure to explore the strategies for broader adoption of GRs in developing economic setting.
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A new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic struck Hong Kong in February 2022. It led to construction of a temporary 1000-bed hospital and 10 000-bed isolation and treatment facility on an island site in just 51 days using factory-made modules. To achieve such rapid construction, module assembly was carried out at a separate site between the factories and site. Several new modular construction technologies were also developed, including adjustable base supports, large-span roof modules, universal safety barriers and an intelligent cloud platform for construction management. But to enable sustainable construction of such emergency buildings in future, further studies on demolition, recycling and relocation of modular buildings need to be carried out in the post-pandemic era. © 2022 ICE Publishing: All rights reserved.
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Electricity in Bali majorly is supplied by power plants in Java which use fossil-fuelled. With petroleum and coal reserves to run out by 2025, Bali Government has issued Governor Ordinance No. 45/2019 concerning clean energy in encouraging Balinese to use rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV). As backboned tourism industry, Bali has drastically been declining due to COVID-19 causing most hotels and their supporting industries closed, the government then has changed the orientation from urban tourism to rural tourism. This paper proposes rooftop solar PV power plant program in the tourism village representing all 8 regencies and 1 municipality (Sudaji in Buleleng, Catur and others in Bangli, Tenganan in Karangasem, Kerta in Gianyar, Blimbingsari in Jembrana, Paksebali in Klungkung, Bongan in Tabanan, Bongkasa in Badung, and Sanur Kauh in Denpasar). Recent studies show huge potential for solar energy in Bali and the program is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (Bali SDGs). The study elaborates problems in implementing the program since solar PV is still new and traditions could hinder the people in the tourism village to utilize it. Behaviour approach must be explored to make the program can be successfully done.
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Oil stock estimation has a direct impact on the oil price and is a critical asset in the global economy. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns in multiple countries had a big impact on the oil inventories. In this paper, a methodology to monitor oil inventories using Sentinel-1 data is presented. It exploits the differences in the backscatter response with respect to the roof level in floating roof tanks. The methodology doesn't imply advanced processing techniques (such as interferogram or coherence estimation) and it can be complemented with other data sources (e.g. Sentinel-2, VHR) for a more comprehensive foundation of the oil stock estimation. © 2021 IEEE
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The effect of substrate type and cultivation site in the urban fabric on growth, nutrient content and potentially toxic element (PTE) accumulation in tissues of the halophyte Crithmum maritimum was studied. Plantlets were cultivated for twelve months in containers with a green-roof infrastructure fitted and placed either on an urban second-floor roof or on ground level by the side of a moderate-traffic street. Two substrate types were used;one comprising grape marc compost, perlite and pumice (3:3:4, v/v) and one composed of grape marc compost, perlite, pumice and soil (3:3:2:2, v/v), with 10 cm depth. Plants grew well on both sites, although aboveground growth parameters and nutrient content in leaves were greater at street level. Both cultivation site and substrate type affected heavy-metal accumulation in plant tissues. Cu, Ni and Fe concentrations in leaves and Pb in roots were higher in street-level-grown plants compared to the roof-grown plants, and concentrations of Cu and Mn in leaves and Fe in both leaves and roots were lower in the soilless substrate compared to the soil-substrate, making the soilless type preferable in the interest of both safer produce for human consumption and lower construction weight in the case of green-roof cultivation.
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This paper looks at the energy efficiency of the Cité Frugès in Pessac, designed in 1924 by Le Corbusier. Many of the innovations introduced by the Modern movement, such as flat roofs, large windows and solar protection elements, are still evident in the way architecture is carried out today. Most of these contributions were implemented in the Cité Frugès. The aim is to evaluate the architectural design criteria that most influenced the energy performance of Le Corbusier’s works, and to analyse the improvement that could be achieved by energy rehabilitation. The methodology used consisted of a systematised study of the five dwellings designed by Le Corbusier. For the modelling and calculation of their energy performance the “Líder–Calener unified tool” was used for evaluation, under the standards of compliance with European regulations for nearly zero energy consumption buildings. Energy parameters, such as thermal transmittance, solar gains and overall annual energy demand, were tested. The results obtained provide information on energy performance and allow for the analysis of possible energy refurbishment alternatives. The analysis of the results makes it possible to identify and qualitatively and quantitatively assess the limitations of the most relevant architectural and construction aspects in relation to energy efficiency and to draw up an energy map of the Cité Frugès in Pessac.
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Purpose: The aim of the research presented in this paper is to provide information on the common problems of healthy homes in the context of architectural design deficiencies. Especially because determining the status of a healthy house is particularly challenging if the design is poor. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative methods, i.e. interviews, site visits and graphic elicitation diagramming were used in two different stages of data collection. They were then analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings show that the architectural elements can have positive or negative effects on the health and safe environments. The quantity of doors and the use of transparent glass have largely contributed to the thermal transmission and increased indoor temperatures. The roof aluminium sheets and absence of vents inhibited indoor heat loss. This has led to discomfort and overuse of air-conditioning units, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic where most households stayed/worked from home. The inappropriate height of the ceiling and roof made it challenging for maintenance purpose, reducing safety levels, which could result in physical injuries. Originality/value: The concept of healthy homes is not new. Studies have been conducted in Western countries and in the field of healthcare. However, there is lack of study in built environment particularly in developing countries and inadequate inter-disciplinary and empirical research to connect the healthcare field. The pervasive and recurring design deficiencies in the construction industry remain a source of unhealthy homes, which must be addressed. Future investigations are necessary to expand the conclusions that can be drawn from this paper for health equity within the society and nation. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.