Built Environment Technology Research Articles

Philadelphia ‐ Tianjin Economic‐technological Development Area urban clean energy infrastructures EcoPartnership

AbstractAmong U.S.‐China EcoPartnerships, the PHL‐TEDA EcoPartnership is unique in its design as an open platform to facilitate collaboration among businesses, local governments, universities and non‐governmental organizations (NGO). On the U.S. side, the platform consists of China Partnership of Greater Philadelphia (CPGP, a 501c3 non‐profit) and its public sector partner, the Commerce Department of the City of Philadelphia. The objective of this collaboration is to bring to scale sustainable‐city‐type BE Better technologies (built environment technologies that are more energy‐efficient, smarter and healthier) in China and, by doing so, to promote sustainable economic development in the U.S. The mechanism for scaling these BE Better technologies is through China's national‐level industrial parks. The initial stage focuses on China's northeastern Jing‐Jin‐Ji region (comprising Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province) through collaborations with Green Development League‐member National Economic‐Technological Development Zones (NETDZ) in Beijing, Tianjin and Langfang. The larger goal is to position for second‐stage, nation‐wide expansion of the BE Better model through the Green Development League's 36 member‐NETDZs nationwide and through the Ministry of Commerce's national Eco Park program.

Briefing: Promoting research: a joined-up approach

It is much easier to get people interested in advances in builtenvironment technology if it is presented holistically rather than as the output of individual engineering disciplines. Based on the experiences of a major recent research exhibition, Fionnuala Costello of the EPSRC describes how it can be done.

Proposal for the development of an indigenous materials and methods-oriented design data aid for design professionals practising in developing nations

The problem of meeting increasing shelter requirements in developing nations is seen as being a complex one. Factors such as reliance of developing nations upon built-environment technologies, materials and skills imported from developed nations are considered in terms of the pressures this typically places upon the natural capital of nations suffering from low currency exchange rates with developed nations. Such pressures are seen as detracting from the implementation of sustainable development policies with regard to depletion of natural capital. The paper suggests that encouragement should be given to the use of indigenous materials and methods as one contributed to an, as yet, emerging strategy of sustainable development. Such encouragement can be given through the supplying of performance and location data on indigenous materials and also through the supplying of data on ‘best-use’ methods of utilising such materials within the built environment. A possible format and means of delivery is proposed for a prototype design aid, which will supply both small scale entrepreneurs and design professionals in developing nations with data relevant to the use of indigenous materials and methods.