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Sustainability in the Built Environment

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Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments

Abstract

This introductory chapter sets the scene for the book, providing an overview of sustainability in the built environment. With a bias towards buildings and the urban environment, it illustrates the range of issues that impinge upon global carbon reduction and the mechanisms available to help bring about change. Climate change, and its impact on the built environment, is briefly introduced and sustainability in the built environment and associated factors are described. The specific topics relating to sustainable design and management of the built environment, including policy and assessment, planning, energy, water and waste technology, supply and demand, and occupants’ behavior and management have been highlighted. This chapter emphasizes the importance of a systemic approach in delivering a sustainable built environment. Learning outcomes: on successful completion of this chapter, readers will be able to: (1) Gain broad knowledge of sustainable built environment, (2) Understand the concept of systemic approach, and (3) Appreciate interdisciplinary aspects of design and management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Construction Management and Engineering, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 219, Reading, RG6 6AW, UK

    Runming Yao

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  1. Runming Yao
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Correspondence to Runming Yao .

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  1. The Crescent 9, Reading, RG6 7NW, United Kingdom

    Runming Yao

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Yao, R. (2013). Sustainability in the Built Environment. In: Yao, R. (eds) Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4781-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4781-7_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4780-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4781-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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