Sustainable Architecture for Urban Environments

Introduction

Green building can be defined as the concept of creating buildings that can utilize resources and space in the most efficient way possible without having any impact on the look and serviceability of the building. Thus, it can be concluded that sustainability in architecture is very important as to provide the people with comfortable, normal, safe environment, especially as today the large part of population of the Earth lives in the cities. This essay will aim to explain on issues like the objectives of workable architecture for urban cities, challenges experienced while practicing workable architecture for urban cities and new methods which can be considered helpful in future workable architecture for urban cities.
Principles of Sustainable Architecture

It is guided by several calculated imperatives that apply to environmental, economic, and social sustainability in the construction of buildings. These principles include:

1. Energy Efficiency: Sustainable buildings is the buildings which are made in such a way that uses minimal energy, the following techniques are used; passive solar design, insulation, efficient energy systems and appliances. Insufficient attention to natural lighting and airing within buildings donates to the excessive use of artificial lighting and cooling/heating loads.
   2. Use of Renewable Resources: Examples include incorporating solar energy in building design, wind power, geothermal among others help reduce the use of fossil energy. Solar power devices, wind mills and heat pumps should be installed in the buildings that are in urban area.
   3. Water Conservation: Workable architecture factors include concepts of water conservation and water management. These include Rain water harvesting, grey water reuse, Water effective faucets, showerheads and toilets. Green roofs and permeable pavements too, help in managing storm water excess as well as put less pressure on the urban water supply.
   4. Material Efficiency: Use of recycled, reclaimed and locally sourced materials together with efficiency in the installation of these materials is also a burden to environmental degradation of construction.
   5. Indoor Environmental Quality: Some of the elements that should be optimized for the improvement of the standards of living or the inhabitants include; lighting, IAQ, and thermal comfort.
   6. Adaptability and Flexibility: There is need to extend their useful life since this will enable one to estimate change in future as oppose to levelling and building all over.

The Challenges in Creating Appropriate and Efficient Architecture

Although the concept of workable architecture is relatively clear, there are a number of barriers that hamper its practice in urban settings:

1. Cost and Economic Barriers: Another reason for the lack of operation of sustainable developmental practices is that there are numerous costs that are associated with the eco-friendly building technologies and material.
   2. Regulatory and Policy Issues: However, in many regions, the standards and requirements regarding the construction of structures are insufficient or often act counterproductive to the emergence of environmentally friendly construction technologies.
   3. Technical and Design Challenges: Applying sustainable technologies and practices on the built environment, specifically in building, demands higher level of skills and knowledge. This is quite a challenge given that architects and builders have to consider several things in constructing a building to make it energy efficient and to ensure that the right material is being used and that the occupants are relaxed in the building.
   4. Urban Density and Space Constraints: In general, there are several barriers which are extensions with the spaces that it offers and the population density.

Innovations in Sustainable Architecture

Contempt these challenges, several originations are driving the evolution of working architecture in urban surroundings

1. Green Building Certifications: Rating systems such as LEED, BREEAM, and WELL Building Standard provide references on how to assess sustainable facility design and operations. These certifications help in setting some benchmarks regarding energy feeding, water feeding, and other environmental issues.
   2. Smart Building Technologies: Smart technologies adopted in the building management systems enhance the efficiency of energy and supply consumption. Automated systems, smart sensors, IoT devices, building automation enable control of energy, lightings, HVAC systems, etc., and assist in enhancing the building standards and reducing operation costs.
   3. Biophilic Design: The combination of nature in the building through the green roofs, the vertical garden and the living walls enhance the human- nature relations. Biophilic design aims to improve mental well-being and cognitive non-stimulation; reduce stress and deficient IAQ and at the same time smooth urban ecosystems and greenery.
   4. Energy-Positive Buildings: There are new technologies in renewable energy that make it possible to create structures that generate more energy than is consumed. They incorporate enhanced solar power, batteries, and façade solutions to achieve a net positive energy outcome.
   5. Adaptive Reuse and Retrofit: By upgrading and retrofitting, original structures undergo changes in their usage and function hence optimizing their life cycle while at the same time reducing the effects of the construction business. Thus, old structures that can still be reused should be integrated in the construction of cities through the use of sustainable technology to enhance their life cycle.
   6. Modular and Prefabricated Construction: Stilt and Precast construction methodologies are fast, effective and sustainable techniques of putting up structures and structures. These methods bring out quick construction and large differences in the layout; thus, they apply to construction in cities where space is an issue and time is limited.

Case Studies and Examples

Several cities around the world are leading the way in workable architecture, showcasing innovative methods to creating more environmentally friendly urban environments:

1. Vancouver, Canada: The records show that Vancouver boasts of having some of the complete green building policies and favourable attitudes towards climate change among cities in the world. Green building program of the city includes the utilization of renewable energy and resources, effective use of water, natural building products used in constructions or improvements of structures.
   2. Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen, as one of the most significant world communities, set and declared rather strict agendas of carbon neutrality: Copenhagen wants to achieve it by 2025. Sustainable architecture of the city includes energy performing buildings taking into consideration green roofs, and adoption of renewable energy technologies in the civilization.
   3. Singapore: Ways that Singapore has adopted include the Green Mark certification scheme that focuses on promoting sustainable buildings and energy efficient structures. Singapore is also putting a great effort in sustainable buildings and these include; Green building such as Oasia Hotel Downtown with lots of greenery and efficient technologies.
   4. Freiburg, Germany: Workable urban development is an idea that has involved the attention of many Germans and Freiburg is commonly believed to be one of the best symbols of this idea. This is the bicycles city, Vauban district of this city has no car, the new built house are the energy-plus houses, there are many green areas and many interests in the renewable energy.
   5. Melbourne, Australia: Currently, Melbourne has introduced the process of being maintainable through the green building projects and initiatives such as reduction of carbon footprint through Green Star 6-Star projects. It has therefore sought to practice and boost workable urban development, putting in place of green organization, workable construction and use of natural capitals.

Thank You for reading.