New life of old buildings. Longing for change

BUILDER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-71
Author(s):  
Marek Piróg

Buying, restoring and remodeling old residential and farm buildings is an ongoing phenomenon. It is mainly visible in rural areas, especially near large cities and in areas well-connected to such cities. The aim of this study is to determine what factors influence this process and how the activities resulting from such transformations fall within contemporary principles of construction development. The chosen research methodology was the analysis of factors that influence the aforementioned activities. The paper describes the contemporary possibilities for adapting and adjusting old facilities to current requirements. Moreover, it shows how such projects are connected to ecology. The paper closes with conclusions related to the positive effects of reusing existing, old facilities on the society and environmental protection.

Author(s):  
Yu. Kozlov ◽  
R. Serebryakov

A new coronavirus pandemic is raging all over the world, especially in densely populated areas. Unlike most countries, more than half of the territory of Russia is not used by humans — which means that it is possible to settle large cities to avoid crowding people on a small area. The authors of the article consider wind power, namely vortex wind power plants, as a new source of energy that can be quickly and with less harm built in rural areas. The article also discusses the possibilities of an alternative Autonomous non-volatile installation "Air spring" for obtaining fresh water from atmospheric air.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5466
Author(s):  
Guangwei Huang

Urban sustainability refers to building and maintaining cities that can continue to function without running out of resources. However, growing cities require more land and urban sprawl has transformed surrounding rural areas into urbanized settlements. Furthermore, the prosperity of large cities depends on the supply of both natural and human resources from rural areas, either nearby or remote. On the other hand, the use of resources of rural areas by cities may cause negative externalities to rural areas, affecting their sustainability. Therefore, a critical, but very much neglected issue, is how unban sustainability should be pursued without affecting rural sustainability. In this study, cases in Japan and China were analyzed from resources and population migration perspectives to provide evidence for the possibility that urban sustainability might have been pursued at the cost of rural unsustainability. It was intended to develop a better understanding of urban sustainability through the lens of externalities. Based on the analysis, a new framework for urban sustainability study was proposed, which consists of three new pillars. Namely, externality, vulnerability, and population instability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Keith L. Kline ◽  
Virginia H. Dale ◽  
Erin Rose ◽  
Bruce Tonn

Wood-based pellets are produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are also discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.


Author(s):  
Nataliia Vdovenko ◽  
Nataliia Korobova ◽  
Anna Nevesenko

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the innovation and investment principles of green tourism in rural areas in the context of decentralization with a combination of production systems in order to explore opportunities and provide proposals for further functioning of the national economy. Methodology research is to use a set of methods: economic-statistical, monographic, system, economic- mathematical, abstract-logical and others. The scientific novelty of the obtained results is the introduction of innovative, economically feasible and research meth- ods with regard to sustainable development of green tourism in rural areas in decentralization, which are associated with the adaptation of theories, principles and rules of great importance for sustainable rural development of green tourism in the context of global transformations. Conclusions. The modern principles of effective functioning of green tourism in rural areas in the conditions of decen- tralization at a combination of production systems are substantiated. The tools of the general research methodology with regard to sustainable development of green tourism in rural areas in the context of decentralization are proposed. Adaptation of a system of theories, principles and rules that are essential for the formation of sustainable rural development are related. Key words: rural areas, decentralization, green tourism, innovations, branch, sustainable development, aquaculture, tools, methods.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 552-569
Author(s):  
Viktor V. Fauzer ◽  
Andrey V. Smirnov ◽  
Galina N. Fauzer

Since the dissolution of the USSR and advent of market relations, small and medium-sized Russian cities have experienced many economic and social problems due to their peripheral status. At the same time, they form the main framework for the settlement of the northern territories. The research aims to reveal the importance of small and medium-sized cities in the set- tlement system of 13 regions of the Russian North by studying their demographic dynamics. We examined the hypothesis that the demographic sustainability of these cities depends on the time of their formation. A proposed methodology for assessing the demographic sustainability of cities is based on five groups: demographically sustainable, relatively sustainable, unsustainable, critically unsustainable, instability. Four periods of the formation of small and medium-sized cities are defined: colonisation of the Russian North (1584–1917); industrialisation and urbanisation of the northern territories (1918–1959); from coercion to encouragement — northern romance (1960–1989); from settlement to abandonment — depopulation (1990–2020). For each period, the cities were assessed in terms of their demographic sustainability. The current sustainability of the cities was shown to be dependent on the period of their formation. Compared with the rest of Russia, the structure of settlements in the North revealed both similarities (concentration of the population in large cities) and differences (the proportion of the population living in small and medium-sized cities is higher, but lower in rural areas). Future research will focus on developing a methodology for assessing the «saturation» of small and medium-sized cities in the Russian North.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Morrison ◽  
Machhindra Basnet ◽  
Anju Bhatt ◽  
Sangeeta Khimbanjar ◽  
Sandhya Chaulagain ◽  
...  

Discriminatory practices related to menstruation affect the social, mental and physical wellbeing of girls in many low-and middle-income countries. We conducted mixed methods research in five districts of Nepal to explore how menstruation affected girls’ ability to fully participate in school and community life. We conducted 860 structured interviews, 26 group interviews and 10 focus group discussions with schoolgirls in rural areas,14 semi-structured interviews with girls’ mothers, and 10 interviews with health teachers. Girls in all districts experienced social, material and information barriers to confident menstrual management. Menstrual blood was believed to carry diseases, and girls’ movement was restricted to contain ritual pollution and protect them from illness, spirit possession, and sexual experiences. Taboos prevented girls from worshipping in temples or in their home, and some girls were not allowed to enter the kitchen, or sleep in their home while menstruating. Teachers and parents felt unprepared to answer questions about menstruation and focused on the maintenance of restrictions. Teachers and students were embarrassed discussing menstruation in school and classes were not question-driven or skills-based. Gender disaggregated teaching of menstruation and engagement of health facility staff may have positive effects. Community participatory approaches that engage girls, their families and the wider community are necessary to address harmful cultural practices. Cross-sectoral approaches to provide clean, private, safe spaces for girls and increased availability of preferred materials could enable confident menstrual management.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1122-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Azizi ◽  
M. M. Guoya ◽  
P. Vazirian ◽  
P. Dolatshati ◽  
S. Habbibian

Diabetes mellitus is a significant threat to public health. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people with diabetes live in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We report on the preliminary results of the national programme for the prevention & control of type 2 diabetes which began in 1996. The pilot project has so far been instituted in 17 provinces. Of 595 717 people aged 30 years and over, 247 518 were classed as at risk and 3.6% had diabetes, 4.3% of women and 2.6% of men. Diabetes prevalence varied from 1.3% in rural areas to 14.5% in large cities. Early detection and control strategies are aimed at diminishing the heavy burden of diabetes


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13206
Author(s):  
Luis Rodriguez-Lucas ◽  
Chen Ning ◽  
Marcelo Fajardo-Pruna ◽  
Yugui Yang

This paper presents a new concept called the urban vortex system (UVS). The UVS couples a vortex generator (V.G.) that produces updraft by artificial vortex and a vortex stability zone (VSZ) consisting of an assembly of four buildings acting as a chimney. Through this system, a stable, upward vortex flow can be generated. The Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation was carried out to investigate the flow field in the UVS. The Renormalized Group (RNG) k–ε turbulent model was selected to solve the complex turbulent flow. Validation of the numerical results was achieved by making a comparison with the large-size experimental model. The results reported that a steady-state vortex could be formed when a vapor-air mixture at 2 m/s and 450 K enters the vortex generator. This vortex presented a maximum negative central pressure of −6.81 Pa and a maximum velocity of 5.47 (m/s). Finally, the similarity method found four dimensionless parameters, which allowed all the flow characteristics to be transported on a large scale. The proposed large-scale UVS application is predicted to be capable, with have a maximum power of 2 M.W., a specific work of 3 kJ/kg, buildings 200-m high, and the ability to generate winds of 6.1 m/s (20 km/h) at 200 m up to winds of 1.5 m/s (5 km/h) at 400 m. These winds would cause the rupture of the gas capsule of the heat island phenomenon. Therefore, the city would balance its temperature with that of the surrounding rural areas.


2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-224
Author(s):  
Indrė Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė ◽  
Vilma Karvelytė-Balbierienė

Rural areas cover the largest part of the territory of Lithuania as well as that of the whole Europe. Rural settlements are also the most abundant category in the settlement system of the country. Therefore, their social, economic, and cultural viability- as well as ecologic sustainability playan important role striving towards the goals of sustainable development. During the last years projects promoting various aspects of sustainability are implemented not only in large cities and towns, but also in smaller municipalities, nevertheless many rural settlements still are not influenced by these trends. The tendency of decrease of the population of the country, emigration, migration of young and qualified persons to larger cities and towns, poverty and unemployment cause the threat to the most fragile elements of the rural settlement system, such as steadings, manor residencies and ethnographic village settlements. In order to stop these processes it is necessary to search for means to sustain the social and economic viability of rural settlements. During the last decade significant role of cultural heritage in implementing strategies of sustainable development was universally recognized. It is acknowledged that sustainable preservation, maintenance, and use of cultural heritage, especially immovable, positively influence the social, economic, cultural and even environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Sustainable development opportunities provided by immovable cultural heritage are essential for small rural settlements which are not distinguished by important natural resources or favorable location. In this instance social and cultural viability is as much essential for preservation of immovable cultural heritage of these settlements, as immovable cultural heritage is essential for sustention of their social and economic viability. Nekilnojamojo kultūros paveldo įtaka darniam kaimo gyvenamųjų vietovių vystymuisi Santrauka Didžiąją Lietuvos, kaip ir visos Europos, teritorijos dalį sudaro kaimo vietovės, o didžiąją dalį gyvenamųjų vietovių – kaimo gyvenamosios vietovės, taigi jų socialinis, eko nominis ir kultūrinis gyvybingumas bei eko loginis tvarumas atlieka lemiamą vaidmenį siekiant šalies darnaus vystymosi tikslų. Pastaraisiais metais darnų vystymąsi skatinantys projektai jau įgyvendinami ne tik didžiuosiuose Lietuvos miestuose, bet ir mažesnėse savivaldybėse, tačiau daugelio kaimo gyvenamųjų vietovių šis procesas kol kas nepaliečia. Bendro šalies gyventojų skaičiaus mažėjimo tendencija, emigracija, jaunų ir kvalifikuo tų žmonių migracija į didžiuosius šalies miestus, skurdas ir nedarbo grėsmė kelia sunykimo grėsmę patiems jautriausiems ir kultūriniu požiūriu vertingiausiems šalies kaimo gyvenamųjų vietovių sistemos elementams, tokiems kaip vienkieminės sodybos, buvusių dvarų ir palivarkų sodybos ar etnografinės kaimų gyvenvietės. Siekiant sustabdyti šiuos neigiamus socialinius, eko nominius bei kultūriniu procesus, būtina ieškoti būdų, kaip užtikrinti kaimo gyvenamųjų vietovių socialinį bei eko nominį gyvybingumą. Pastaraisiais metais pasaulyje vis aiškiau suvokiamas kultūros paveldo vaidmuo darnaus vystymosi kontekste. Visuotinai pripažįstama, jog kultūros paveldo, ypač nekilnojamojo, apsauga, priežiūra bei naudojimas turi teigiamos įtakos darniam vystymuisi socialinėje, eko nominėje, kultūrinėje ir kt. dimensijose. Nekilnojamojo kultūros paveldo teikiamos darnaus vystymosi galimybės itin reikšmingos nedidelėms, išskirtinių gamtinių išteklių neturinčioms bei patogia geografine padėtimi nepasižyminčioms kaimo gyvenamosioms vietovėms. Jų socialinis ir eko nominis gyvybingumas kultūros paveldui išsaugoti yra toks pats svarbus, kaip ir kultūros paveldas socialinio ir eko nominio šių gyvenamųjų vietovių gyvybingumo palaikymu.


2019 ◽  
pp. 624-642
Author(s):  
Laura-Diana Radu

The changes made in the environment as a consequence of massive industrialization led to a change in the vision of mankind on how organizations should interact with the ecosystem. In the same time information system has a key role in their activity. The increasing their use is accompanied by positive effects. This chapter presents the changes necessary for transformation traditional information systems in green information system. The organization's motivations to develop and implement strategies and regulations for environmental protection are varied. They can be the organization's internal drivers, such as reducing delivery costs, increasing efficiency, improving market reputation, and external, such as government legislation or policies, regulations, competition. Changes necessary to implement green information system are presented based on agile model life cycle and in accord with organizations objectives.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document