Why demolish and re-build, when it is possible to sustainably upgrade existing buildings? A critical analysis of both options in light of the environmental threats

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Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

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Abstract

The main purpose of the paper is to critically asses the re-building of houses infrastructures and upgrading the existing house building. There are many complications while performing both of these operations, The implications are revolving around the environmental aspect of the society., The paper discusses the re-building of homes as compared with getting them upgraded. This paper also briefs about the life cycle assessment of construction of houses and buildings in United kingdom. The modern-day, real-estate construction industry is facing a lot of challenges, one of them being the reduction of carbon emissions and building of the housing structures in an eco-friendly manner. According to official sources, ''almost half of all U.K emissions are linked to the built-environment and the government is pursuing a 34% reduction in C02 emissions by year 2020” (BRE, 2010). BRE (2010) has made efforts to increase national awareness regarding climatic hazards owing to man-made emissions (Parker, 2009). It is the aim of this study to investigate the advantages associated with such a design in residential housing sector, analyze the sources of carbon emissions and their causes, evaluate the strategies to cut these emissions and assess further plans of action.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION6

Aims and Objectives7

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW8

The environmental impact of building8

Existing communities9

Existing stock9

Demolition10

The feasibility of renovation10

Social and economic consequences of large-scale building11

Barriers to renewal and proposals to help upgrade existing homes12

Identification of environmental aspects related to the construction process12

Life-Cycle Assessment14

The Need for Life-Cycle Assessment in Buildings15

Statistics Of Waste From Construction From Demolition, From Refurbishment And New Build18

LCA Studies for Buildings20

Building Materials and Component Combinations (BMCC)20

Example of Case Studies21

Sustainable Construction Product24

Sustainable Development of Construction Industry26

Urban Sustainability in the 21st Century27

Living Walls and Roofs29

Reconciling Green Projects in U.K's Residential Construction Industry31

Positive and Negative Side Effects of Residential Construction in U.K32

Green Building gives “More for Less”34

Construction and Demolition Waste34

Responsibility and policy Initiatives of the U.K organizations35

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)36

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)36

The Case of Rexel U.K37

Reducing Ecological Footprint in Housing Sector38

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY43

CHAPTER 4 ETHICS STATEMENT45

CHAPTER 5 RESULTS46

Potential for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Construction Materials46

Current Material Consumption47

Environmental impact reductions49

Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW)50

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION51

CHAPTER 7 RECOMMENDATIONS52

CHAPTER 8 FURTHUR RESEARCH53

The wider problems of demolition53

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Throwing away material objects is harmful to the environment, wasteful of energy and materials, and careless in the face of diminishing resources. Demolishing houses, which are bulky and valuable material objects, should be a last ...