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Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change: A 21st Century Survival Guide

Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change: A 21st Century Survival Guide

by David Crichton (Author), Fergus Nicol (Author), Fergus Nicol (Author), Sue Roaf (Author)

  • Used

    Paperback 2004

    $8.60
Synopsis

From the author of the bestseller Ecohouse , this challenging and exciting text gives you an insight into the real changes that are necessary to give our modern day built environment both 'sustainability' and 'survivability'. The book is based on the premise that climate change is going to happen and its impacts on our lives are going to be far worse than generally expected. Sue Roaf argues that many modern buildings are not only 'unsustainable' in themselves but are also having a catastrophic effect on the global climate. In a unique argument, she illustrates that the only way we can hope to survive the following century in tact is if we not only begin to radically reduce CO2 emissions from our buildings and stop building climatically disastrous building types but also build only the buildings that can survive in the changed climates of the future. Throughout the book, traditional and modern building types are used to: explain the history and impacts of climates past, present and future on buildings; set the scene in terms of the history of building development of where we are now and where we are going in terms of sustainability and survivability of buildings; develop two main scenarios of future building development with the 'business as usual' model and the 'survival plan' model, and to make a list of recommendations based on the two scenarios of what actions should be taken by architects, planners and engineers as well as local and national governments, businesses and ordinary people in ensuring the true sustainable nature of the built environment. It is a unique text that reassesses the fundamentals of sustainable design; a discussion and design guide providing you with the full picture of true sustainability; and includes case studies supporting the argument that challenges orthodox architectural design.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 384
 Edition: illustrated edition
 Publisher: Architectural Press
Published: 14 Dec 2004
ISBN 10: 0750659114
ISBN 13: 9780750659116
Book Overview: A unique text that reassesses the fundamentals of sustainable design A discussion and design guide providing you with the full picture of true sustainability Includes case studies supporting the argument that challenges orthodox architectural design

Media Reviews
'A timely and fascinating book on the crucial issue of energy use in buildings which accounts for half of our total energy use.' Stephen Tindale, Executive Director, Greenpeace, UK 'We are at the crossroads of the most significant crisis of modern times. Two profound, life changing events are converging to create this crisis - the warming of the earth's atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, and the rapid depletion of global petroleum and natural gas reserves. As these events intensify over the coming years, they will dramatically change how we live and how we relate to the natural world. These changes can cause the human race great pain and suffering or they can inspire a historic transition to a kinder and gentler world. Sue Roaf, David Crichton and Fergus Nicol in their new book Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change, dissect these events and rightly conclude that at the center of this crisis stands the architecture and building community. They clearly illustrate that this community, unknowingly, is chiefly responsible for precipitating this crisis and argue for nothing less than a building design revolution to address the problem. What makes this book so important is that it not only outlines the issues and science behind climate change, but details the steps necessary to alleviate future large scale dislocations and hardship. Ms. Roaf identifies the key players in this struggle, their roles, and the actions needed to spark this revolution. She makes it crystal clear that there is no technological fix looming on the horizon, and that if the architecture and building community do not step forward and lead, there is little hope for meaningful change to take place. This book contains the framework for beginning the critical dialogue necessary to confront humanity's greatest challenge.' SBSE journal
Author Bio
Sue Roaf is Professor of Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University and Visiting Professor at the Open University. She publishes widely on traditional; technologies, sustainable buildings, ecohouse design and adapting buildings and cities for climate change. She designed and lives in the Oxford Ecohouse, the first UK building with a photovoltaic roof and does much to promote resilient low impact buildings through the conferences she organises on Solar Cities, Carbon Counting, Architectural Education, Thermal Comfort and Post Occupancy Evaluation. She is currently co-chairing the Westminster and Scottish Carbon Accounting Groups with Colin Challen MP and Sarah Boyak MSP.