Design of Reliable and Sustainable Buildings in Melbourne City - Case Study Example

Design of Reliable and Sustainable Buildings in Melbourne Recent studies indicate that there is an adverse rise in temperatures in Melbourne. Consequently, the area has experienced a rise in the sea level, lower annual rainfall, extreme wind speeds and tremendous rainstorms. The city of Melbourne also has a high population growth rate, thus, posing a significant challenge in the design of buildings in the city. In this research, a study was conducted considering the population growth and climatic change, in order to aid in the design and construction of reliable and sustainable buildings. The results depict that High-density buildings, use of sustainable resources in design, construction and energy efficiency were found to be possible solutions. Table of Contents 1.2. Background Information 4 2.0. Chapter 2: Analysis of Major issues 5 References 9 1.0. Chapter One 1.1. Introduction Most social, economic and environmental sectors in the city of Melbourne are vulnerable to the climatic change, thus, the need for a quick response in order to avert the consequences. According to Lane (2009), an effective plan requires a precise reflection of both the expected population growth, and the expected local impacts of climate (1). Also, buildings that contains adequate resilience, which is specific to the strengths, vulnerabilities and the resources available in the area, will prove to be a crucial solution. This study seeks to establish the means of countering the impending dangers of extreme climatic changes in Melbourne city. Also, the researcher shall investigate method of providing excellent strategy to house the overwhelmingly growing population in the city. 1.2. Background Information Since early 1980s, the state government has made attempts to establish high buildings, in order to cater for the rapidly growing population. A recent research by RMIT has shown that there are about 85000 apartments, either built or the pipeline, in Melbournes central city area in the decade between 2011 and 2012 (2). The research indicated that much more rooms are scheduled for construction, either by the government or by private investors. However, the question remains; will these factors provide a solution to the huge and rapidly growing population in Melbourne city? Will the housing be adaptable to the impending adverse climatic changes in Melbourne city? Recent trends in climate change indicate that in a decades time, the city will experience adverse heat waves, strong windstorms and heavy flash storms (3). An elaborate design of buildings is thus fundamental, in order to avoid situations where buildings might contribute to greenhouse effect or wind corridors to the residents. 1.3. Problem Statement Researchers suggest that the city of Melbourne needs extensive housing, think the construction of skyscrapers and estates is the just solution to the housing problem (3). However, there is no need to erect a structure that will become obsolete, merely before its services are recognized, due to lack of proper consideration of the impending impacts. Consequently, the climate has a big take, since the buildings need to be designed, such that the affiliated parties consider the dynamically unfavorable environment. Buildings should be designed not only to the house but in a satisfactory manner. Melbourne needs adequate buildings that are designed and constructed in a manner to provide a conducive environment to the residents. This can be done by use of sustainable resources like insulating interior parts of the houses, from the high temperatures in the atmosphere (4), which is the main effect. Due to the large population that requires monster amounts of energy, there is a need for energy efficiency plans like solar and tidal harnessing, in the design of buildings. 1.4. Aims/Purposes i. To suggest a fundamental design for adequate buildings, which will serve the rapidly growing population in Melbourne city. ii. To propose a method of designing reliable buildings, considering the rapid climatic changes in Melbourne city. iii. To come up with a guiding strategy in the design and construction of reliable buildings in Melbourne city. iv. To explore factors affecting the design of residential buildings in Melbourne. 2.0. Chapter 2: Analysis of Major issues 2.1. Context The study aims at coming up with an elaborate design of reliable and sustainable buildings for the rapidly growing population in Melbourne city. At the same time, it seeks to put into consideration the ever changing climate of the city (5). In pursuit of the best strategy the existing conditions should be looked at against the impending conditions. Conclusions from the solutions should consider the purposes of the study and be geared towards giving answers to our disturbing questions: reliable and sustainable buildings in Melbourne in the next ten years, and over. This should fundamentally consider the growth of population and change in climate in Melbourne (4). The other factors surrounding and influencing the design of the buildings should be weighed against the proposed ways of action for a concrete and sound solution. 2.2. Contributing factors The citys population is expected to double in the next ten years. The population is multiracial composing of mostly middle-aged. Adults exceed the number of children with the equation showing that some inverting trend with time (2). It shows there is an increasing birthrate. On the contrary, although more housing is needed, there is limited land due to the dense population. The environmental factors have a take also. This has led to a decline the amount of resources previously available in abundance. Fossil fuels have fallen to a minimal making them very expensive to the monster consumers. Thus an elaborate source of green energy, like solar energy is most encouraged. Metals required for industries are escalating in costs due to the large demand thus would encourage reuse or recycling to maintain production high (1). The climate of the city has changed incredibly and adverse conditions are impending within the next few decades. Uncontrolled weather patterns have been caused by industrial and vehicle emissions, mainly carbon monoxide and natural gas which pollute the air and deplete the ozone layer. This leads to the greenhouse effect whereby the radiation of solar heat from the earth is not allowed to escape to the outer space but is shielded in the atmosphere causing an increase the temperatures (4). The shielding also prevents enough radiation from the sun during winter, thus, the reason for hotter summers and cold winters. The increase in temperatures also may cause an increase in bushfires due to the vast dry vegetation, a draught that is due to hot heat waves from the heated ground surface and acid rain. The acid rain comes about when rain dissolves the unstable carbon monoxide in the atmosphere producing weak carbonic acid that corrodes the roofs made of iron (5) 2.3 Foreseeable implications If adequate buildings are not constructed, the impending population in the city will soon lead to homelessness. This may imply mushrooming of slums and general aesthetic look of the city will be lost. This may lead to backdating of the city (2). The design of the building if not done not considering the climate change may result in untold problems unfolding before long. Improper insulation of the house from the surrounding heat from the atmosphere may lead to a creation of furnaces in the name of houses. Structurally weak houses may be vulnerable to damage by the foreseen strong windstorms. Since the land space is limited in the city if the buildings will not be designed with a strong foundation to support tall skyscrapers to house more many will lack housing (5). A large population means more energy requirement. Lack of adoption to green energy sources will lead to the existing sources being more stressed. This may lead to increased costs of living and ultimate effect on the technology. 2.4 Summary of the analysis A precise way of action is fundamental, in the process of finding solutions. More emphasis should lay in the design of the buildings. The guiding principle should be to design buildings to house almost double the current population in the city within a limited space. The impending climate should be considered so as to come up with houses that will be resistant to damage by factors like acid rain and high winds. Therefore, materials for constructions should be carefully selected. 3. Chapter 3: Proposed Solutions 3.1 Solution 1: High-density living The city of Melbourne has already run out of adequate land space for the population. Extensive buildings will lead to greater congestion of the city. Vertical construction outweighs the horizontal meaning the option of tall buildings is the only solution. Skyscraper living complexes should be built so as to house more. Also, foundation designs should be high enough, in order to support massive weights of the tall structure, inhabitants and to resist the forces of the environment like the impending strong windstorms. 3.2 Solution 2: Sustainable Resources Due to the dynamic climate a significant rise in temperatures of the city is impending. Selection of building materials should be given an upper hand to provide enough insulation of the houses. The walling material should be insulating, like the use of double glazed windows. Walls and roofs should be brightly colored to reflect much heat. Tents and canopies of buildings should be of heat and acid resistant materials to bar damaged by the acidic rain and high temperatures from the solar radiation 3.3 Solution 3: Energy Efficiency A Large population will require more energy. The city requires an elaborate energy source for the large population. Renewable energy sources like solar should be adopted because of the citys proximity to extended sunlight hours. Wind power and tidal power have big success potential in the city. References 1. Boyle, Godfrey. Renewable Energy: Power For Sustainable Future. 2012. 2. Stille, Darlene R. The Greenhouse Effect: Warming The Panet. 2013. 3. Mcdonald, Peter F. the transformation of Australias population. Seiw An khoo : s.n., 2011. 4. Robert, Watson, Marufu C. Zinyowera, Richard H. Moss. The Regional Impacts of Climate change. Melborne : Moss, 2009. 5. Lane, Carter N. Acid Rain. 2012. Read More