Green Infrastructure

Timon Singh

General construction work uses an inordinate amount of energy, water and raw materials and more often than not, generates large amounts of waste and potentially harmful atmospheric emissions. As such, sustainable construction and green infrastructure projects are becoming more and more important, with designers and construction firms constantly working to find the most eco-friendly ways to make buildings.

Generally speaking the technology for a clean, sustainable city does exist. One only has to look at the example set by the Danish island of Samso, where every watt of energy produced comes from a renewable source - they even get the sheep to help cut the grass.

Samos is being used as a blueprint for future green energy production and sustainable infrastructure.

Recycling materials

As one would expect, using recycled materials is a key part of sustainable construction projects. Any way in which resources can be saved is utilized and this can range from deciding to retrofit a building instead of building a new one to actually coming up with a way of making more environmentally friendly bricks.

There is also an interest in taking a 'synergistic approach' to building design, ensuring that the scheme "supports an increased commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation, and results in an optimal balance of cost, environmental, societal, and human benefits while meeting the mission and function of the intended facility or infrastructure."

A project that is being planned that includes these measures is the new UN Global Compact Centre, which is being constructed in one of the most polluted areas in North America, San Francisco's Hunter's Point Shipyard; a former shipyard filled with radiation and industrial toxins. The proposed centre would be part of the United Nations "Global Compact" and would be focused on promoting sustainable and clean technologies, but it would also serve as an example of how toxic sites can be transformed into centres of innovation and inspiration.

Saving resources

Once the building is made however, the need to make it sustainable still exists. As such, the buildings are often designed so as not to waste valuable resources such as water and electricity, through the use of recycling plants or other schemes.

These can range from the buildings using rain water to cool systems or to replenish water tanks, intelligent lighting systems to cut electricity use, natural ventilation and a ground source heat pump that reduces heating and cooling costs.

It's not just good for the environment but also for cutting costs. It is estimated that schemes such as those listed above can save up to 10 percent on a building's annual bills. It is easy to see why sustainable construction is becoming more and more popular for both constructors and clients.

Green transport

Transport is another key aspect where countries have been trying to cut emissions and Europe especially has seen a host of high-speed rail projects green-lit to be a cleaner alternative to short-haul flights or long car journeys.

Metro systems and even forms of cable-propelled transport have also found support, as well as more unusual forms of 'green transport'.

However currently the prime example of green infrastructure is not in Europe, but in the Middle East - namely Abu Dhabi. There, Masdar City is being constructed and it aims to be completely zero-carbon and zero-waste by banning cars within the city, allowing its residents to rely on the public transport system and personal rapid transit systems.

With large scale projects such as this underway, green infrastructure is clearly not just the future, but the future of construction and cities around the world.

Relevant articles:

Green buildings |Europe's wind turbine city | Straw as a building material? | Is this the nation's greenest office building? | Copenhagen to get 'circular bridge'