Chris I. Goodier

House-Building Business Models and Off-Site Construction Take-Up

AbstractThe potential benefits of off-site construction have been widely reported. However, its take-up in U.K. construction has been less than hoped. Previous studies have contributed solutions to accelerating take-up of off-site technology, albeit few examined the issue in business contexts. This paper presentes a novel approach to addressing off-site construction take-up in relation to business models. It reviews the challenges facing U.K. house-building business, maps conventional and emergent business models, and identifies factors capturing and creating value, centering on process and activities, risks, and finance. In the United Kingdom, house building is often decoupled from contracting, instead focusing on land acquisition, in response to the dominance of land-use planning. The competitive edge potentially available from technological innovation is often rendered less important or prevalent. However, exemplars do exist regarding incorporating off-site construction into house-building business str...

The futures of construction: a critical review of construction future studies

Anticipating the future is increasingly being seen as a useful way to align, direct and improve current organizational strategy. Several such ‘future studies’ have been produced which envision various construction industry scenarios which result from technological and socio‐economic trends and influences. Thirteen construction‐related future studies are critically reviewed. Most studies fail to address the complexities and uncertainties of both the present and the future, and fail to explore the connections between global, local, construction‐specific and more widespread factors. The methodological approaches used in these studies do not generate any significantly different advice or recommendations for the industry than those emerging from the much larger canon of non‐future oriented construction research. As such, these reports are less about the future than the present. If future studies are to make a worthwhile contribution to construction, it is critical that they develop our appreciation of the practical ability of stakeholders to influence some aspects of the future and not others, and an awareness of the competing agendas and the relative benefits and disadvantages of specific futures within the construction sector. Only then can future studies provide insights and help in preparing for the opportunities and threats the future may bring.

Carbon footprint calculator

This tenth volume in the SAGE Series on Green Society explores the essential role of technology and its most recent developments toward a sustainable environment. Twofold in its definition, green technology includes the changing of existing technology toward energy conservation as well as the creation of new, clean technology aimed at utilizing renewable resources. With a primary focus on waste management, the volume presents over 150 articles in A-to-Z format. Scholars and experts in their fields present a full range of topics from applications of green technology to The Green Grid global consortium to membrane technology and water purification systems to waste-to-energy technology. This work culminates in an outstanding reference available in both print and electronic formats for academic, university, and public libraries. Pedagogical elements in the frontmatter and backmatter include a Readers Guide grouping related entries by broad themes and topics, a Glossary of relevant terms, a Resource Guide to further readings (key books, journals, web sites), an appendix of Primary Documents, and a thorough Index.This is an entry in the book, Green Technology: An A-to-Z Guide [© SAGE Publications, Inc.].

Environmental Impact Assessment, ecosystems services and the case of energy crops in England

A consequence of the increased requirements for renewable energy is likely to be allocation of more land to bio-energy crop production. Recent regulatory changes in England, as in other parts of the UK, mean that changes in land-use are increasingly subject to screening through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This paper reviews these regulatory changes and explores the potential benefits of incorporating a fuller examination of ecosystem services within EIA procedures. The authors argue that such an approach could help achieve sustainability by identifying the best options within an area, rather than concentrating on the negative effects of selected proposed projects. It could also help highlight the benefits provided by existing and proposed agricultural, forestry, peri-urban and urban systems. However, successful implementation of an ecosystem services approach would also require a greater understanding of the societal preferences for the full range of ecosystem services at a landscape scale, aswell as the trade-offs and synergies between uses of specific services.

Heat wave adaptations for UK dwellings and development of a retrofit toolkit

Purpose – Dwelling retrofit strategies generally concentrate on measures to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. However, climate change projections predict increases in both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heat waves. It is predicted that by the 2040s severe heat waves similar to the European one in August 2003 may be expected to occur every year. Future guidance therefore needs to combine mitigation with adaptation in order to provide safe and comfortable dwellings, whilst also reducing heating energy use, within the available retrofit budget. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The research presented here used dynamic thermal simulation (EnergyPlus) to model a range of passive interventions on selected dwelling types to predict the effect on both dwelling overheating during a heat wave and annual space heating energy use. The interventions include modifications and additions to solar control, insulation and ventilation. Findings – Res...

Success in international decentralised urban energy initiatives: a matter of understanding?

Many towns and cities worldwide have begun implementing decentralised urban energy systems. Aiming to reduce their carbon emissions, many utilise not only technological innovation but also innovative policy and financial and social–economic approaches. Following interviews with stakeholders, four international cases, all of which were defined by stakeholders in different ways as “successful”, provide insights into the instigating driving forces contributing to success. Understanding of “success” varied between projects and between stakeholders, depending significantly on individual attitudes to sustainability, financial feasibility, technical performance and social acceptance, suggesting that a realistic definition of success involves not just a projects financial feasibility and energy savings, but that enhancing high-potential partnerships and transparency, and acceptance and understanding of the proposed project are also critical, as are interest from the media and outside organisations. The success of a project therefore cannot be measured simply via its outcomes – process factors and the context in which they unfold are also crucial.

Case Study Analysis of Urban Decentralised Energy Systems

The UK has set an ambitious plan to substantially cut its carbon emissions. In order to meet this 2050 target of 80 % reduction, the UK is facing a significant challenge of restructuring its energy system, currently characterised by lock-into centralisation. There is however, potential to challenge this lock-in through the development of more decentralised energy systems—based not only on technological, but also on more innovative political, social and economic approaches. Examples of these unique approaches have already been successfully implemented in many cities worldwide, demonstrating that more decentralised energy systems can lead to enhanced carbon emissions reductions. Using a multi-disciplinary framework, this work critically assesses several urban decentralised energy systems around the world through the assessment of exemplar international case studies. Following semi-structured interviews, this work compares and critiques four diverse international case studies in order to demonstrate and contrast a variety of decentralised approaches. It emphasises the variety and inter-relationships of barriers and drivers involved in the implementation of such projects. Although it is believed that regulations heavily influence the implementation of decentralised energy projects, these projects are frequently driven and motivated by other factors such as reputation, profitability and the opportunity to show that “we can do it”. The main non-technical barriers are not necessarily financial, as is often believed. Governance barriers—such as out-of-date regulations or unreliable partners—also play an important role in the success or failure of a project. Social barriers in the form of public apathy and misinformation regarding energy consumption can also be significant, which often affects the operation on the project.

Building future scenarios using cognitive mapping

A participatory approach for developing future scenarios through cognitive maps as a visual representation of mental models is presented. Applying long-term future visioning techniques in a workshop setting has traditionally been a significant challenge for construction industry practitioners with a predominantly short-term, project-based approach to day-to-day operational responsibilities. Six future scenario cognitive maps are presented to illustrate the process. The maps were digitised from A1-sized papers using Decision Explorer™ software. Several key characteristics of the resulting cognitive maps and lessons learnt for the organisation of industry-based workshops are discussed. The main benefits are derived from the interaction between participants during the mapping process whereby future issues and their interconnectivities are discussed. Limitations of the findings and further work are presented.

Nanomaterials in construction and demolition - how can we assess the risk if we don't know where they are?

This research, funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health in the United Kingdom, has used a combination of literature review, web searching and unstructured interviews with a range of industry professionals to compile a list of products used in construction and the built environment which might contain nanomaterials. Samples of these products have been analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X- Ray Spectroscopy to investigate whether nanomaterials are actually present and to what extent. Preliminary results of this testing are presented here. It is concluded that there is a discrepancy between the academic literature and the reality regarding the current application of nanomaterials in the construction industry and the built environment. There are also inaccuracies and deficiencies in the information provided by manufacturers which makes it difficult to accurately assess the location and application of nanomaterials within the industry. Further testing is planned to evaluate the risk of nanoparticle release from nano-enabled building products at their end of life by reproducing common demolition and recycling processes such as crushing, grinding, burning and melting. Results of this will form the basis of practical guidance for the construction, demolition and recycling industries to help them identify where particular protection or control measures may be appropriate as well as providing reassurance where no additional action is required.

Managing the unknown – Addressing the potential health risks of nanomaterials in the built environment

Abstract Nanomaterials offer significant potential for high performing new products in the built environment and elsewhere. However, there are uncertainties regarding their potential adverse health effects and the extent to which they are currently used. A desk study and interviews with those working across the construction, demolition and product manufacture sectors (n = 59) identified the current state of knowledge regarding nanomaterial use within the built environment. Some nanomaterials are potentially toxic, particularly those based on fibres; others are much less problematic but the evidence base is incomplete. Very little is known regarding the potential for exposure for those working with nano-enabled construction materials. Identifying which construction products contain nanomaterials, and which nanomaterials these might be, is very difficult due to inadequate labelling by product manufacturers. Consequently, those working with nano-enabled products typically have very limited knowledge or awareness of this. Further research is required regarding the toxicology of nanomaterials and the potential for exposure during construction and demolition. Better sharing of the information which is already available is also required through the construction, demolition and manufacture/supply chains. This is likely to be important for other innovative products and processes in construction, not just those which use nanomaterials.