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Attachment 1: Current DTIE Priorities with respect to Urban Environmental
Management
Cities are pollution sources and sinks, and people living in them utilise
resources and generate waste. Cities also import resources and export
pollutants, although these activities have limits and the cities themselves have
limited carrying capacities. Sustainable cities should not use resources faster
than they can be replenished or substituted for, nor generate pollution faster
than it can be assimilated. Rather than devouring water, food, energy, and
processed goods, and discharging the remains as pollutants, cities should align
their consumption with realistic needs, produce more of their own food and
energy, and put much more of their waste to use.
Ideally, a sustainable city must have adequate infrastructure and flexibility
to support the needs of its population, particularly its poorest citizens, as
well as those of the ecosystem as a whole. If the infrastructure of a city is
eroded, it becomes increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to achieve
sustainable environmental objectives.
Without new urban environmental management methods and approaches, there is a
danger that past problems of environmental degradation and ecological
impoverishment will continue. Given that these environmental problems have
arisen primarily because of inappropriate management and a lack of understanding
of the impact of management practices upon the environment, it is essential for
new management methods to be researched, developed and implemented. Unless
cities change their management practices, the resources they expend on
protecting the environment will be wasted.
To address these issues, DTIE is working in the following areas:
- Environmentally sustainable buildings and infrastructure -
Buildings,
infrastructure and the environment are inextricably linked. Energy, materials,
water and land are all consumed in the construction and operation of buildings
and infrastructure. These built structures are also part of our living
environment, affecting our living conditions, social well-being and health. It
is therefore important to explore environmentally and economically sound
design and development techniques to ensure that buildings and infrastructure
are sustainable, healthy and "affordable". DTIE’s involvement in
this area is focused on improving and strengthening the capacity of
administrators and decision makers in local authorities, institutions, NGOs
and communities in the identification, assessment, evaluation and selection of
appropriate building technologies and infrastructure. This involves working in
partnership with other organisations to develop and implement programs and
activities at the municipal and local level for the adoption and use of
environmentally sustainable, healthy building and infrastructure technologies,
practices and systems.
Energy management - As climate change has become the world's most
pressing environmental challenge, energy management has become a priority issue
for city managers. DTIE focuses on two particular aspects of energy management
in cities: energy efficiency in city operations, including lighting, public
services, and public buildings; and energy demand management, which includes
raising public awareness about ways and means to save energy.
Transportation - Transportation is one of the main sources of carbon
dioxide emissions. As more people migrate to cities, particularly in
developing countries, the design of transportation and communications systems
to mitigate GHG emissions is crucial. DTIE is a key partner in the mobility
forum that UNEP is establishing with the automotive industry. An important
focus in this area relates to traffic management and transportation planning.
Urban water - The conventional approach to water supply management tends
to define water usage as a requirement that must be met, and not as a set of
demands that are variable and changeable. This can and often does lead to
overuse of water resources, over-capitalisation of infrastructure, waste and
other problems. Governments are now beginning to understand that solving these
types of problems requires fundamental change. Increasingly, the water demands
themselves, not structural supply solutions, are becoming the focus of policy
and decision-making. This alternative policy approach focuses on water demand
management and relies on proven, cost effective approaches for modifying water
demand patterns and lowering these demands substantially. It also involves
innovative strategies for augmenting water supply through techniques such as
rainwater harvesting and wastewater reclamation and reuse, as well as through a
mix of incentive structures, public education and regulations. Freshwater is a
central element of UNEP’s mandate and DTIE is working closely with other
organisations to promote sustainable management of freshwater in developing
countries.
Waste collection and treatment - Providing adequate services for
domestic and commercial waste is an ongoing challenge for city managers. In many
countries, dumpsites represent an environmental and health threat. There is an
increasing requirement for support and training related to waste collection
systems and various waste treatment alternatives, including incineration,
biological treatment, sanitary landfills, recycling and materials recovery.
Environmental management systems for cities and local authorities - For
cities and local authorities, an Environmental Management System (EMS) provides
a systematic way to ensure environmental issues are managed consistently and
systematically. Effectively applied, an EMS can help integrate environmental
considerations with overall operations and set out environmental policies,
objectives and targets with pre-determined indicators that provide measurable
performance goals. An EMS focuses attention upon a number of critical
organisational factors, including productive processes and technologies,
management styles and systems, worker education and participation, internal
communications, and relations with regulatory agencies, other governments, and
neighbouring communities. The successful implementation of an EMS can create
positive change, environmental awareness and continuous improvement within a
city.
Attachment 2: Checklist for Environmentally Responsible Building Design and
Construction (Adapted from “Environmental Building NewsE
Design
- Smaller is better: Optimise use of interior space through careful design
so that the overall building size and resources used in constructing and
operating it, are kept to a minimum.
- Design an energy efficient building: Use high levels of insulation, high
performance windows, and tight construction. In southern climates, choose
glazing with low solar heat gain.
- Design buildings to use renewable energy: Passive solar heating,
day-lighting and natural cooling can be incorporated cost-effectively into
most buildings. Also consider solar water heating and photovoltaics, or
design buildings for future solar installations.
- Optimise material use: Minimise waste by designing for standard ceiling
heights and building dimensions. Avoid waste from over-design by optimising
engineering and simplifying building geometry.
- Design water efficient, low maintenance landscaping: Conventional lawns
have a high impact because of water use, pesticide use and pollution
generated from mowing. Landscape with drought resistant native plants and
perennial groundcovers.
- Make it easy for occupants to recycle waste: Make provision for storage
and processing of recyclables (i.e., recycling bins near food processing
areas, under-sink compost receptacles, etc.).
- Examine the feasibility of graywater reuse: Water from sinks, showers or
clothes washers (graywater) can be recycled for irrigation in some areas. If
current codes prevent graywater recycling, design plumbing systems for easy
future adaptation.
- Design for durability: To spread the environmental impacts of building
over as long a period as possible, the structure must be durable. A building
with a durable design and “timeless architectureEis more likely to
realise a longer life.
- Design for future reuse and adaptability: Make the structure adaptable to
other uses, and choose materials and components that can be reused or
recycled.
- Avoid potential health hazards (i.e., radon, mold, pesticides): Follow
recommended practices to minimise radon entry into the building and provide
for future mitigation if necessary. Provide detailing to avoid moisture
problems that could cause mold and mildew growth. Design and incorporate
insect resistant detailing to minimise pesticide use.
Land Use and Site Issues
- Renovate older buildings: Conscientiously renovating existing buildings is
the most sustainable construction.
- Create communities: Development patterns can either inhibit or contribute
to the establishment of string communities and neighbourhoods. Creation of
cohesive, integrated communities should be a high priority.
- Encourage in-fill and mixed use development: In-fill development that
increases density is inherently better than building on undeveloped sites.
Mixed use development, in which residential and commercial uses are
intermingled, can reduce automobile use and help to create more healthy
communities.
- Minimise automobile dependence: Locate buildings to provide access to
public transportation, bicycle paths, and walking access to basic services.
Commuting can also be reduced by working from home, therefore, home office
needs and wiring should be considered.
- Value site resources: Early in the siting process, carry out a careful
site evaluation (i.e., solar access, soils, vegetation, water resources,
important natural areas, etc.) and use this information to guide the design.
- Locate buildings to minimise impact: Cluster buildings to preserve open
space and wildlife corridors. Avoid especially sensitive areas including
wetlands, and keep roads and service lines short. Leave the most pristine
areas untouched, build on areas that have been previously degraded, and
restore damaged ecosystems.
- Provide responsible on-site water management: Design landscapes to absorb
stormwater instead of putting in storm sewers to carry it off-site. Consider
roof-top water catchment systems so that rainwater can be used.
- Situate buildings to benefit from existing vegetation: Trees on the east
and west sides of a building can dramatically reduce cooling loads.
Hedge-rows and shrubbery can block cold winter winds or help channel cool
summer breezes into buildings.
- Protect trees and topsoil during site work: Protect trees from
construction damage by fencing off the “drip lineEaround them and
avoiding major changes to surface grade.
- Avoid use of pesticides and other chemicals that may leach into the
groundwater: Look into less toxic termite treatments, and keep exposed frost
walls free from obstructions to discourage insects. When backfilling a
foundation or grading around a house, do not bury any construction debris.
Materials
- Use durable products and materials: Because manufacturing is very
energy-intensive, a product that lasts longer or requires less maintenance
usually saves energy and reduces waste.
- Choose low maintenance building materials: Where possible, select building
materials that require little maintenance (i.e., painting, retreatment,
waterproofing, etc.) or whose maintenance will have little environmental
impact.
- Choose building materials with low embodied energy: Heavily processed or
manufactured products and materials are usually more energy intensive. As
long as durability and performance will not be sacrificed, choose low
embodied-energy materials.
- Buy locally produced building materials: Transportation is costly in both
energy use and pollution generation. Look for locally produced materials.
- Use building products made from recycled materials: Building products made
from recycled products reduce solid waste problems, cut energy consumption
in manufacturing, and save on natural resource use. A few examples of
materials with recycled content are cellulose insulation, floor tile made
from ground glass, and recycled plastic lumber.
- Use salvaged building materials where possible: Reduce land-filling and
save natural resources by using salvaged materials (i.e., lumber, millwork,
certain plumbing fixtures, hardware, etc.). Make certain these materials are
safe (i.e., test for lead and asbestos) and do not sacrifice energy
efficiency or water efficiency by reusing old windows or toilets.
- Seek responsible wood supplies: Use lumber from independently certified,
well managed forests. Avoid lumber products produced from old-growth timber
unless they are certified. Engineered wood can be substituted for old-growth
timber.
- Avoid materials that emit pollutants: Solvent-based finishes, adhesives,
carpeting, particleboard, and many other building products release
formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These
chemicals can affect workersEand occupantsEhealth as well as
contribute to smog and ground level ozone pollution. Avoid materials that
emit HCFCs, such as extruded polystyrene and certain types of foam
insulation.
- Minimise use of pressure treated lumber: Use detailing that will prevent
soil contact and rot. Where possible, use alternatives such as recycled
plastic lumber. Take measures to protect workers when cutting and handling
pressure-treated wood. Scraps should never be incinerated.
- Minimise packaging waste: Avoid excessive packaging, such as
plastic-wrapped plumbing fixtures or fasteners unavailable in bulk. Tell
suppliers why you are avoiding over-packaged products. Note however that
some products must be carefully packaged to prevent damage and potential
waste.
Equipment
- Install high efficiency heating and cooling equipment: Well-designed high
efficiency furnaces, boilers, air conditioners and distribution systems not
only save building occupants money, but also produce less pollution. Install
equipment with minimal risk of combustion gas spillage.
- Avoid ozone-depleting chemicals in mechanical equipment and insulation:
CFCs have been phased out, but their primary replacement, HCFCs, also damage
the ozone layer and should be avoided where possible. Reclaim CFCs when
servicing or disposing of equipment.
- Install high efficiency lights and appliances: Fluorescent lighting has
improved dramatically in recent years and is now suitable for homes. High
efficiency appliances offer both economic and environmental advantages over
their conventional counterparts.
- Install water efficient equipment: Water conserving toilets, showerheads
and faucet aerators reduce water use as well as the loading to septic
systems and sewage treatment plants. Reducing hot water use also saves
energy.
- Install mechanical ventilation equipment: Mechanical ventilation is
usually required to ensure healthy indoor air. Heat recovery ventilators
should be considered in cold climates to reduce energy requirements.
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