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Towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions in the Building Industry (Innovative Renewable Energy)
by Ali SayighTowards Net Zero in the Building Industry looks at the contributions that the building and construction industry can (and must) make to help achieve net zero carbon emissions. The building industry accounts for close to 40% of global emissions and this book brings together a global group of contributors from 15 countries to examine ways in which the industry can help with overall CO2 reduction. Coverage includes factors such as building design strategy, materials selection, use of local materials with a low carbon imprint, renewable energy use, energy conservation, greenery and appropriate aesthetics, building size and scale, climate suitability, building functionality and comfort, material recycling, and adoption of green policies. Chapter 6 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
Towards Optimal Point Cloud Processing for 3D Reconstruction (SpringerBriefs in Electrical and Computer Engineering)
by Guoxiang Zhang YangQuan ChenThis SpringerBrief presents novel methods of approaching challenging problems in the reconstruction of accurate 3D models and serves as an introduction for further 3D reconstruction methods. It develops a 3D reconstruction system that produces accurate results by cascading multiple novel loop detection, sifting, and optimization methods.The authors offer a fast point cloud registration method that utilizes optimized randomness in random sample consensus for surface loop detection. The text also proposes two methods for surface-loop sifting. One is supported by a sparse-feature-based optimization graph. This graph is more robust to different scan patterns than earlier methods and can cope with tracking failure and recovery. The other is an offline algorithm that can sift loop detections based on their impact on loop optimization results and which is enabled by a dense map posterior metric for 3D reconstruction and mapping performance evaluation works without any costly ground-truth data. The methods presented in Towards Optimal Point Cloud Processing for 3D Reconstruction will be of assistance to researchers developing 3D modelling methods and to workers in the wide variety of fields that exploit such technology including metrology, geological animation and mass customization in smart manufacturing.
Towards Principled Oceans Governance: Australian and Canadian Approaches and Challenges (Routledge Advances in Maritime Research)
by Donald R. Rothwell David L. VanderZwaagAustralia and Canada have been at the forefront of efforts to operationalize integrated oceans and coastal management. Throughout the 1990s both countries devoted considerable effort to developing strategies to give effect to international ocean management obligations. This key book focuses on principles of marine environmental conservation and management, maritime regulation and enforcement, and regional maritime planning and implementation. With contributions from respected scholars, this informative book collectively assesses the obligations, compliance, implementation and trends in international ocean law, particularly in giving effect to an Oceans Policy, regional maritime planning, international oceans governance, and maritime security. This book will be of interest to all academics involved with maritime studies and international law.
Towards Rethinking Politics, Policy and Polity in the Anthropocene: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (The Anthropocene: Politik—Economics—Society—Science #35)
by Hans Günter BrauchHumankind faces two anthropogenic threats to its survival that are closely linked. The first is the end of the Holocene and the start of the Anthropocene, which was marked by the test of a nuclear bomb on 16 July 1945. In the prevailing peace and security narrative, nuclear weapons and the ‘other’ (country, bloc or alliance) pose a perceived threat to humankind’s survival. In the Anthropocene narrative, ‘we are the threat’ through our way of life and the burning of fossil fuels. The start of the Anthropocene coincides with a change in the international order with the setting up of the UN and the Bretton Woods Institutions. Three stages of this order are distinguished: the Cold War (bipolarity), the post-Cold War era (unipolarity), and the end of the rule-based global liberal order (multipolarity) on 24 February 2022. In this book ten multidisciplinary perspectives discuss complexity, Anthropocene geopolitics, peace and security discourses and the debate on the Anthropocene, planetary boundaries, complex crises and integrative geography in the Anthropocene, governance and politics, and the Patriacene and gender. Both existential threats for humankind are illustrated by cover photos of the first nuclear weapons test on 16 July 1945 and by Category 5 Hurricane Otis, an extreme weather event impacting on Acapulco in Mexico on 25 October 2023. The Anthropocene as a new epoch of Earth history coincides in 1945 with a change in the international order. In the security and peace narrative, the ‘other’ and nuclear weapons pose an existential threat; in the Anthropocene narrative. This dual existential change requires a rethinking of politics, policy and polity. In the social sciences, the Anthropocene is being discussed from multidisciplinary perspectives (geography, political science, and peace, security, and gender studies). This is an open access publication.
Towards Sustainable Cities in China
by Jingzhu ZhaoTo promote China's sustainable city construction and development, this Brief has preliminarily used an assessment indicator system and development index of a sustainable city, based on a summary and analysis of the existing Sustainable City theories and practices both at home and aboard. Meanwhile, mainly based on the data from 2008, this Brief has made a tentative assessment of the development level of Sustainable City in some major Chinese cities.
Towards Sustainable Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Mountain Regions
by Vishwambhar Prasad SatiSustainable livelihoods and ecosystems are far-reaching and burning issues in the wake of high growth of population, low production and per ha yield of crops and depletion of biodiversity resources. Mountainous regions of the world are facing the menace of poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. Further, tremendous growth in population and slow pace of development have together forced most of the population to live below poverty line. Traditionally depending upon cultivating subsistence crops for food requirement, the people living in mountainous region are unable to produce sufficient food grains to run their livelihood smoothly. The Himalayas is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots and has an abundance of natural resources: land, water and forest - life sustaining factors. The geo-environmental conditions - climate and landscape further enhance the possibility of sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism, harnessing water resources and utilizing forests and their products sustainably. Diversifying agricultural practices through cultivating cash and cereal crops and enhancing livelihood options through extensive use of timber and non-timber based forestry products can help to eradicate poverty and provide food security. This book consists of an introduction and nine chapters, covering geo-environmental setting, socio-economy and population profile, sustainable livelihoods: diversification and enhancement, livelihood analysis, development of tourism and hydroelectricity, case studies, mountain ecosystems, sustainable mountain development and also presents a conclusion.
Towards the Ethics of a Green Future: The Theory and Practice of Human Rights for Future People (Routledge Studies in Sustainability)
by Marcus Düwell Gerhard Bos Naomi Van SteenbergenWhat are our obligations towards future generations who stand to be harmed by the impact of today’s environmental crises? This book explores ecological sustainability as a human rights issue and examines what our long-term responsibilities might be. This interdisciplinary collection of chapters provides a basis for understanding the debates on the provision of sustainability for future generations from a diverse set of theoretical standpoints. Covering a broad range of perspectives such as risk and uncertainty, legal implementation, representation, motivation and economics, Towards the Ethics of a Green Future sets out the key questions involved in this complex ethical issue. The contributors bring theoretical discussions to life through the use of case studies and real-world examples. The book also includes clear and tangible recommendations for policymakers on how to put the suggestions proposed within the book into practice. This book will be of great interest to all researchers and students concerned with issues of sustainability and human rights, as well as scholars of environmental politics, law and ethics more generally.
Towards the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda
by Bernhard Müller Hiroyuki ShimizuThis book looks at the New Urban Agenda and prospects of its implementation. In 2016, the New Urban Agenda was endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations after having been adopted by the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habi-tat III) in Quito, Ecuador. Together with the Sustainable Development Goals, it provides a compre-hensive and ambitious roadmap for global debate and action related to sustainable urbanisation during the coming decades. As mature economies and ageing societies, Japan and Germany can make considerable contributions to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Both countries share a number of similar challenges for environmentally sustainable and resilient urban develop-ment under conditions of social change. Furthermore, they have vast experience in actively pro-moting urban transformation towards a more sustainable urban future. At the same time the au-thors are making a contribution towards implementing the New Urban Agenda. Other countries may build up on the experience provided and the 20 examples described in this book. The work is based on a longstanding cooperation between the Graduate School of Environmental Studies of the Nagoya University (Japan), the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (Germany) and the Technische Universit#65533;t Dresden (Germany).
Towards the “Perfect” Weather Warning: Bridging Disciplinary Gaps through Partnership and Communication
by Brian GoldingThis book is about making weather warnings more effective in saving lives, property, infrastructure and livelihoods, but the underlying theme of the book is partnership. The book represents the warning process as a pathway linking observations to weather forecasts to hazard forecasts to socio-economic impact forecasts to warning messages to the protective decision, via a set of five bridges that cross the divides between the relevant organisations and areas of expertise. Each bridge represents the communication, translation and interpretation of information as it passes from one area of expertise to another and ultimately to the decision maker, who may be a professional or a member of the public. The authors explore the partnerships upon which each bridge is built, assess the expertise and skills that each partner brings and the challenges of communication between them, and discuss the structures and methods of working that build effective partnerships. The book is ordered according to the “first mile” paradigm in which the decision maker comes first, and then the production chain through the warning and forecast to the observations is considered second. This approach emphasizes the importance of co-design and co-production throughout the warning process. The book is targeted at professionals and trainee professionals with a role in the warning chain, i.e. in weather services, emergency management agencies, disaster risk reduction agencies, risk management sections of infrastructure agencies. This is an open access book.
Towards Understanding the Climate of Venus
by Sebastien Lebonnois Lennart Bengtsson Symeon Koumoutsaris Roger-Maurice Bonnet Dmitri Titov David GrinspoonESA's Venus Express Mission has monitored Venus since April 2006, and scientists worldwide have used mathematical models to investigate its atmosphere and model its circulation. This book summarizes recent work to explore and understand the climate of the planet through a research program under the auspices of the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland. Some of the unique elements that are discussed are the anomalies with Venus' surface temperature (the huge greenhouse effect causes the surface to rise to 460°C, without which would plummet as low as -40°C), its unusual lack of solar radiation (despite being closer to the Sun, Venus receives less solar radiation than Earth due to its dense cloud cover reflecting 76% back) and the juxtaposition of its atmosphere and planetary rotation (wind speeds can climb up to 200 m/s, much faster than Venus' sidereal day of 243 Earth-days).
Towards User-Centric Transport in Europe 2: Enablers of Inclusive, Seamless and Sustainable Mobility (Lecture Notes in Mobility)
by Gereon Meyer Beate MüllerThis book gathers contributions from researchers and practitioners that foster user-centric, cross-modal and sustainable transport systems in Europe. It reports on cutting-edge approaches discussed within the project MOBILITY4EU, a Coordination and Support Action funded by the European Commission, and presented at the second conference “Towards User Centric Transport in Europe” that took place in Brussels in Fall 2018. The respective papers describe innovative approaches to improving urban mobility and accessibility, achieving zero-emission mobility, and guaranteeing, seamless operations. Co-creation approaches are also discussed. Highlighting technological, socio-economic and political strategies alike, the book provides researches and stakeholders with a comprehensive, timely snapshot of current measures and challenges for the mobility of tomorrow.
Towards Water Circular Economy: Proceedings of the Responsible Water Management and Circular Economy (RWC) 2024 (Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences)
by Mukesh Sharma Arun Kumar Basant Yadav Ankit Agarwal Manish NemaResponsible water management and circular economy aims to establish a common understanding of circular economy principles and resilience in the water sector and to support countries in the implementing those principles. It is essential for water security to deal with the effect of climate change. It can be achieved through smart water management, use of non-conventional water resources, rejuvenation of natural water systems, using advance tools and techniques and adaptation strategies. It will help in improving the water availability in terms of quantity as well as quality and human health. Smart water governance and educating society can also play an important role in achieveing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) “Water for all“. The book aims to accelerate interaction among various stakeholders.
Towards Water Secure Societies: Coping with Water Scarcity and Quality Challenges
by Lars Ribbe Andreas Haarstrick Mukand Babel Sudeh Dehnavi H. K. BiesalskiThis book describes the water security challenges with focus on water scarcity and quality in our rapidly changing world. Achieving water security is essential to promoting economic and social development, as well as resource sustainability and ecosystem integrity. Questions of water security are central to recent global agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The thematic areas discussed here support the SDGs, with special attention to Goal 6 (“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation”). The book is a collection of studies from engineering, social and environmental disciplines and aims at giving a balanced overview of the current , complex discourse on water scarcity and quality. It offers a source of inspiration and information for researchers, policymakers, planners, and practitioners concerning the further development of concepts, approaches, and methodologies for promoting water secure societies.
Towards World Heritage: International Origins of the Preservation Movement 1870-1930 (Heritage, Culture and Identity)
by Melanie HallHistoric preservation, whether of landscapes or buildings, was an important development of the nineteenth century in many countries. There is however surprisingly little understanding about how it took place, and research into it is narrowly focused. For example, generally landscape preservation from this time is examined separately from buildings; preservation is seen in terms of national narratives, or considered within the contexts of area studies, and it is usually seen from a specific disciplinary perspective. All of these later categorizations did not apply at the time and consequently, a very partial view is achieved. In order to begin unlocking a very complex phenomenon that has helped to define our own age, this dynamic collection of essays brings together an international and transdisciplinary line-up of academics and practitioners to reconsider preservation's origins in the second half of the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth century. With a focus on Britain and the British Empire, and including case studies from the United States, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, 'The Holy Land', and Turkey, this book places preservation in imperial, international, and national contexts, demonstrating that there was far more interaction between different countries in this arena than may be supposed and revealing remarkable but hitherto hidden overlaps and intersections. It examines three main themes: the influence of religion; the political and sub-diplomatic aspects of preservation; and the professionalization of preservation practice. Internationalizing trends already existed through the churches, the universities, and the diplomatic services, as well as familial ties that had an important impact on preservation's epistemic communities and its targets. Other internationalizing factors include an interest in national histories and the histories of architecture and art, particularly when known through illustration; a growing interest in biography especially of 'founding fathers' or famous literary figures; and tourism. Although the focus is on architectural preservation, this book demonstrates that, in this formative period, the preservation of buildings and landscapes needs to be considered together - as it often was at the time - and in context. The conclusion reached is that the preservation movement has to be understood in imperial and international contexts, rather than in simply national or regional ones.
Towards Zero-energy Architecture: New Solar Design
by Mary GuzowskiThis book explores the theories, practices and principles of new approaches to solar architecture that foster both design excellence and low-energy use. In response to the challenges of global warming and climate change, design and technology enable architects to achieve greater performance standards while at the same time developing an environmental aesthetic. The book showcases ten award-winning buildings to illustrate the aesthetic and technological design integration of solar response in contemporary zero-energy and low-energy architecture. For each project there is a detailed examination of the local climate, the design and construction, and the technology used to reduce energy use. Towards Zero-energy Architecture is a much-needed call for the design professions to redefine architecture to help solve ecological problems.
Towards Zero Waste: Circular Economy Boost, Waste To Resources (Greening of Industry Networks Studies #6)
by Hans Bressers Jorge Carlos Carpio-Aguilar María-Laura Franco-GarcíaThis book draws on insights that originated from the Circular Economy and Zero Waste initiatives. Together these approaches try to boost the shift from “waste” to “resources” management. The content of this book is partially organized from a stakeholder perspective, revealing the managerial implications for public and private actors. Next to public policies, also illustrations come from the private sector. Petstar, Texperium and Walmart generously shared some of their best practices at in this regard. Cases from China, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands and Romania are discussed in this book. In all of these different contexts they show ways to create collaborative schemes in order to “retain” the resources’ values as much as product quality and financial circumstances permit. The reader can thus take advantage of the pragmatic viewpoints that aim to inspire policy makers, researchers, students, organisations and communities to boost the needed changes towards a Zero Waste Economy.
Town and Country Planning in the UK
by Barry Cullingworth Simin Davoudi David Webb Geoff Vigar John Pendlebury Tim Townshend Menelaos Gkartzios Trevor Hart Vincent NadinTown and Country Planning in the UK provides one of the most authoritative and comprehensive accounts of British planning history, institutions, legislation, policies, processes and practices. This 16th edition has been substantially revised and re-organised to provide an up-to-date overview of the planning systems in the four nations of the UK, supported by analyses, interpretations, illustrations and examples from planning practice.The new edition features: details of the legislative and policy changes since 2015 and discussion of their implications, including the early stages of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, 2023 discussion of environmental policies and programmes and the impact of Brexit on environmental regulatory landscape in Britain changes to climate change and resilience policies, notably the government’s ‘Net Zero’ agenda and their implications for planning updates to the substantive issues in plan-making, especially the responses to the shortage of affordable housing and the development of major infrastructure changes to the processes involved in plan-making and development management an expanded and revised chapter on design to include the growing significance of public health in the built environment major revisions to the chapter on rural planning revisions of the text on planning theory especially in relation to management of conflicts over the use and development of land extended discussion of politics, professionalism and participation in planning The 16th edition of Town and Country Planning in the UK is an ideal starting point for those who are studying or working in the planning field, and for other professionals who need to locate their work in the planning context.
Town and Country Planning in the UK
by David Webb Barry Cullingworth Geoff Vigar John Pendlebury Simin Davoudi Tim Townshend Trevor Hart Vincent NadinTown and country planning has never been more important to the UK, nor more prominent in national debate. Planning generates great controversy: whether it's spending £80m and four years' inquiry into Heathrow's Terminal 5, or the 200 proposed wind turbines in the Shetland Isles. On a smaller scale telecoms masts, take-aways, house extensions, and even fences are often the cause of local conflict. Town and Country Planning in the UK has been extensively revised by a new author group. This 15th Edition incorporates the major changes to planning introduced by the coalition government elected in 2010, particularly through the National Planning Policy Framework and associated practice guidance and the Localism Act. It provides a critical discussion of the systems of planning, the procedures for managing development and land use change, and the mechanisms for implementing policy and proposals. It reviews current policy for sustainable development and the associated economic, social and environmental themes relevant to planning in both urban and rural contexts. Contemporary arrangements are explained with reference to their historical development, the influence of the European Union, the roles of central and local government, and developing social and economic demands for land use change. Detailed consideration is given to * the nature of planning and its historical evolution * the role of the EU, central, regional and local government * mechanisms for developing policy, and managing these changes * policies for guiding and delivering housing and economic development * sustainable development principles for planning, including pollution control * the importance of design in planning * conserving the heritage * community engagement in planning The many recent changes to the system are explained in detail - the new national planning policy framework; the impact of the loss of the regional tier in planning and of the insertion of neighbourhood level planning; the transition from development control to development management; the continued and growing importance of environmental matters in planning; community engagement; partnership working; changes to planning gain and the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy; and new initiatives across a number of other themes. Notes on further reading are provided and at the end of the book there is an extensive bibliography, maintaining its reputation as the 'bible' of British planning.
Town Planning: The Basics (The Basics)
by Tony HallThe planning of urban and rural areas requires thinking about where people will live, work, play, study, shop and how they will get about the place, and to devise strategies for long time periods. Town Planning: The Basics provides a general introduction to the components of urban areas, including housing, transportation and infrastructure, and health and environment, showing how appropriate policies can be developed. Explaining planning activity at different scales of operation, this book distinguishes between the "big stuff", the grand strategy for providing homes, jobs and infrastructure; the "medium stuff", the design and location of development; and the "small stuff" affecting mainly small sites and individual households. Planning as an activity is part of a complex web stretching way beyond the planning office, and this book provides an overview of the many components needed to create a successful town. It is invaluable to anyone with an interest in planning, from students learning about the subject for the first time to graduates thinking about embarking on a career in planning, to local councillors on planning committees and community boards.
Town Planning into the 21st Century
by Bob Evans Andrew BlowersProvides a series of insights into the planning process, introduces the key issues currently facing planning and offers prescriptions for the changes required as we move into the next millenium. Leading experts outline the changing context for land use and environmental policy in Britain and explain why the existing processes and profession of town planning are likely to be unable to provide satisfactory policy responses in the future. Key themes debated include: * widening the remit of traditional town planning * giving land and buildings a community value * acting for people rather than simply for the market * promoting an equalization of environmental conditions and discouragement of motorization * the need to anticipate long term global trends at the local and national level. Contributors: Andrew Blowers, Bob Colenutt, Richard Cowell, Bob Evans, Cliff Hague, Peter Hall, Susan Owens, Eric Reade, Yvonne Rydin.
Towns and Cities (The Impact of Environmentalism)
by Richard SpilsburyWe are all aware of the importance of the environment - it's in the news, it affects our behavior and the decisions we make every day. But what actual impact has environmental thinking had on the world around us? This thought-provoking book looks at the way changing ideas about the environment and sustainability have changed the way our towns and cities are designed, and will do so in the future.
Towns, Ecology, and the Land
by Richard T. FormanTowns and villages are sometimes viewed as minor, even quaint, spots, whereas this book boldly reconceptualizes these places as important dynamic environmental 'hotspots'. Multitudes of towns and villages with nearly half the world's population characterize perhaps half the global land surface. The book's pages feature ecological patterns, processes, and change, as well as human dimensions, both within towns and in strong connections and effects on surrounding agricultural land, forest land, and arid land. Towns, small to large, and villages are examined with spatial and cultural lenses. Ecological dimensions - water, soil and air systems, together with habitats, plants, wildlife and biodiversity - are highlighted. A concluding section presents concepts for making better towns and better land. From a pioneer in both landscape ecology and urban ecology, this highly international town ecology book opens an important frontier for researchers, students, professors, and professionals including environmental, town, and conservation planners.
Toxic: A Tour of the Ecuadorian Amazon (ethnoGRAPHIC)
by Amelia Fiske Jonas FischerOver the past decade, people have learned about oil contamination in the Ecuadorian Amazon through toxic tours in which a guide brings participants – students, lawyers, environmental activists, journalists, and foreign tourists – to visit contaminated sites. These toxic tours combine personal experience and local knowledge to convince visitors of the immediacy of environmental issues. Drawing on extensive research and fieldwork, Toxic takes the reader on a visual toxic tour through the Amazon. Following the story of three fictional participants, this graphic novel paints a visceral picture of the waste pits, gas flares, and precarious lives of people in this region. The book challenges the reader to consider what it means to live in a place and historical moment where victims of industrial toxicants are continually required to prove that harm has occurred. Toxic is a vivid reflection on the role of pollutants in our everyday lives, ultimately asking readers to reflect on how we are each implicated in the production, consumption, and exposure of pollution both in the Amazon and at home.
Toxic Air Pollution: A Comprehensive Study Non-Criteria Air Pollutants
by Paul J. LioyThe difficulties with addressing toxic air pollutants are the cheer number of compounds present in the atmosphere and their sources. The purpose of this book is to develop an approach to understanding toxic air pollutants through synthesis of the scientific results obtained in the Airbourne Toxic Element and Organic Substance (ATEOS) project.
Toxic Beauty: The hidden chemicals in cosmetics and how they can harm us
by Dawn MellowshipEvery year we each absorb an estimated 2 kilograms of chemicals through beauty and cosmetic products. Chemicals found in lipsticks, skin lotions and hair dyes have been linked with tumours, cell mutation, allergies, reproductive complications, endocrine disruption and cancer. Isn't it time we all paid more attention to exactly what goes into the eye shadows, body washes and deodorants we love to use? This compelling and timely book tells you the key chemicals you should avoid, reveals just how natural 'organic' beauty products really are, and features a directory highlighting the health issues surrounding a wide range of products, from hair gel to sunscreens.