Growing Housing Needs of a Rapidly Developing Melbourne - Research Proposal Example

How can we better design and build buildings in an adaptation to climate change and in response to the growing housing needs of a rapidly developing Melbourne? Name: Lecturer: Course: Date: Abstract The study has enumerated on ways in which building and construction industry has to use mitigation and shielding the impact of climate change on human life. There can be good designs that can be used to in adaptation of climate change in addition to ensuring that adequate buildings are provided. The study has given the design remedies including use of high efficiency air conditioning equipment should and deploying high insulation levels to reduce conductive heat gain that may cause expansion and degradation of building materials. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 1. Introduction 4 1.1 Case Background 4 1.2 Problem Statement 5 1.3 Aims/Purposes 5 2.  Analysis of Major Issues 5 2.2 Analyses 6 3. Possible Solutions 7 3.1 Higher temperatures 7 3.3 Drought and water shortages 8 3.4 Storm surges and flooding 8 4. Recommendation 9 5. Conclusion 9 6. References List 10 7. Appendix 1 11 1. Introduction It is important for building design to adopt climate change bearing in mind that built environment plays a fundamental economic, cultural and social role to ensure comfortable living. Buildings, be they commercial, residential or public buildings provide shelter and security and they have bearing on productivity, health and general well being of the people. Buildings are vulnerable to climate change effects including storms, flooding, intense heat and bushfires. Climate change also affects the greenhouse gases emission from buildings. The effect of climate change calls for full participation of building investors, developers, home owners , operators and other stake adapt to the new challenges paused by climate change. A case study of Sunshine Construction Futures at the Victoria University has been used to give the answer to the question. 1.1 Case Background Melbourne is considered to be a high risk area with regards to climate change effects, this being attributed to high population density that has put a lot of pressure on the housing infrastructure. There is need to have effective strategies in place to so as to design and construct more building in Melbourne that conforms to climate change. 1.2 Problem Statement The change in climate is a great challenge to design and utilization of buildings in Melbourne and this is the reason behind this research. 1.3 Aims/Purposes The case study looks what climate change implies in terms of building designs and the strategies that are taken to tame effect of climate change on buildings and their usability. The underlying philosophy of the study is that proper design of building can be used to tame the adverse effect of climate change putting into consideration the increasing demand of housing in Melbourne. 2.  Analysis of Major Issues 2.1 Major Issues and Context According to a report by Department of health 2011, Melbourne region is qualified as a high risk area for climate change where there is frequent occurrence of heat waves. The climate change is linked to high population density which has put a lot of pressure in housing facilities. This is attributed to the high population density that has created pressures on the housing infrastructure. A study carried out by the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) between 2002 and 2008 indicated that the global average temperature had increased by an average of 0.8ºC from the time of industrial evolution to present and a further increase in temperature of between 1.1ºC–6.1ºC should be expected by year 2100 (Wilson & Ward 2009). This is a clear indication that the reality of climate change can not just be wished away by Metropolitans like Melbourne. The global emission of green house contributed by Australia is approximated at 1.5%, but the per capita emission is reported as being four times above the world average (DCCEE 2010a). In cities like Melbourne stationary energy and transportation are reported to be the major contributors of emissions standing at 15% and 14% respectively according 2008 statistics (DIT2010). The residential and commercial building of the entire Australia is approximated at 20% of the country’s total consumption (DCCEE 2010b). 2.2 Analyses 2.2.2 Effect climate change on buildings The physical phenomena which come with climate change and are likely to have effect on stability and operations of building are: Overheating – rise in temperature and radiation exposure is likely to reduce the lifespan of a building and the associated elements as a result of the material being forced to expand and breaking down. In addition extended period of heat which is hotter and occurring more frequently results to a raised demand for air conditioning. Buildings Storm surges and extreme events – the building in are likely to be damaged by storms because of the frequency and intensity of such events being increased as a result of climate change. The buildings are expected to be adaptable to strong winds, heavy rainfalls and cyclones. Flooding – the vulnerability to rising sea level and storm surges of buildings in coastal areas and other flood prone areas is likely to be higher. As a result of flooding will expose materials to corrosion and degradation and will also result to the destruction of the materials. In urban areas where the landscape natural ability has been eroded by development are likely to be at a higher risk. Drought and erosion – drier conditions associated with erosion and drought have effect on the performance of building foundations and the availability of water for use. 3. Possible Solutions 3.1 Higher temperatures There are several practical ways that can be used to reduce the level of exposure to overheating to building occupants. Incorporating cooling-load-avoidance such reflective roofing, passive solar design, insulation and exterior shading devices. Adopting to natural ventilation, which is a strategy that is very useful during power outages Adopting to high efficiency lighting and equipment that will bring down heat wastage There is need to have standards for building spacing and green spaces The Sunshine Construction Futures at Victoria University has water sprayed over the roof to effect night cooling, there is use of hydronic tubes and has low level fresh air vents. Also used at the facility is a chiller plus air handling and fan coils located on the roof, ventilation louvers, workshop radiant gas tube heating. 3.3 Drought and water shortages Climate change has brought about change in rain patterns and this call for design carter for water shortage in dry seasons so as to ensure there is mitigation of risks. There should be use of water efficient appliances and fixtures in buildings (Hallegatte 2009). In construction there is need to use materials with ability to cope with dry conditions. The other way of coping with drought is to incorporate rain water harvesting in building designs. 3.4 Storm surges and flooding Climate change is will result into the severe storms, which may result in flooding. Adapting Melbourne’s housing projects to climate change effects entails designing the buildings to be resilient to storms and the rise in seal levels (Wilson & Ward 2009). Storm surges can be addressed by having building designs that that have impact resistant windows and exterior shotter; the building having improved fixing of roof to wall and walls to floor; building having high strength roofs and incorporation of aerodynamically sound design so are to reduce deflection and resonance. The buildings should have external finishes and claddings that will not allow water ingress. In order to combat flooding the following are to be adapted Flood prone areas should be avoided when it comes to building The buildings need to be raised from ground Multi-storey buildings constructed encouraged Water resistant materials are to be used in construction of building or the materials to be used should be having the ability to dry after being wetted with no damage Design should ensure easy escape after subsiding of flood Mechanical and electrical equipment and building services need to be elevated from ground There should be increased use of permeable surfaces and other precautions taken that will insure there is adequate storm water drainage Features such as levees should be incorporated in building designs to protect houses from flooding. 4. Recommendation The recommendation is for building designers to be well aware of the effect of climate change in there design. The solutions that have been given should be used so as to cushion building users from the effects of climate change. Proper design should also be used to avoid further change of climate through emission excessive emission of climate change and clearance of vegetation. 5. Conclusion In this study the adverse effects of climate change have been clearly been given. Climate change has been found to be linked to high population density that is exerting a lot of pressure on the housing facilities. The effects of climate change can be tamed by use of the remedies given in this study or else this it would mean that much more resources are used in overcoming the effects when inappropriate means of addressing the situation. Use of the in appropriate means of overcoming the effects of climate change will only mean that the problem is worsened. 6. References List Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) (2010a) Australian Fifth National Communication on Climate Change: A Report under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) (2010b), Report of the Prime Ministers Task Force on Energy Efficiency, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Hallegatte, S 2009, "Strategies to adapt to an uncertain climate change," Global Environmental Change, vol. 19, p.240–247 Newton, P (ed) (2011) ‘Consumption and Environmental Sustainability’, Urban Consumption, CSIRO, Collingwood. Wilson, A & Ward, A 2009, Design for Adaptation: Living in a Climate-Changing World. Environmental Building New, viewed 7 April 2014, 7. Appendix 1 Figure 1: Ideal ESD Extrusion: Sunshine Construction Futures at the Victoria University Read More