Sustainable Architecture

Nowadays the international attempts to conserve the environment are mainly related to some issues such as; biologically diverse and reasonably non-touched ecosystems. Beside, the location of people live and work, for a small green space in cities and to their profits to people, much less attention is paid to this kind of nature. Much evidence show that the attendance of natural areas leads to the quality of life in many methods. Moreover, many environmental services, urban nature prepare essential social and psychological profits to human society that improves the lives of human senses and emotions. The major objective of this paper is to examine the significance of the urban nature of the welfare of the citizens and the sustainability of the city they live. Some outcomes of a survey conducted between visitors of a city park in Qazvin (The Mellat) are showed and argued. The issues examined concern the motives of people for the urban nature, the emotional dimension involved in the experience of nature and its significance for the broad welfare of the people. The results prove that the experience of nature in an urban environment is a resource of useful emotions and positive services that complete significant immaterial and non-consumptive human requests.

Considering the nature and utilizing its potential powers have got the long history in the eastern countries, so that the numerous examples of minimum energy consumption and Renewable Energy usage are recognizable in their historical past. Based on the studies on the local windmills known as Asbads, located in the eastern part of Iran (the southern part of Khorasan and Sistan), Wind power, known as Renewable or Eco-friendly Energy in the contemporary age, plays the pivotal role in the historical and cultural traditions of this country. The study mainly shows that Asbads as the traditional mechanical machines, used for the wind power transmission mechanism can be utilized again in the contemporary era, developing its overall mechanism or constructive materials. Such an action is considered as an innovative step toward overcoming the nature, but this time not to destroy it but to keep it for the following generations. Based on the research provided modeling, Asbads mechanism in transmission of wind kinetic energy to the energy needed for the agricultural activities such as gridding the wheat or barley can be simply applied in the contemporary era. The present study is of descriptive-analytical type. Data gathering was done in library and fieldwork method. To this end, the Lutak, Neshtifan, and Nehbandan windmills, located in Sistan Province, were studied. Following the study of the windmill history of Sistan Province and southeast of Iran, the quotations from foreign travellers as well as the stand and the function of the mills in Iran’s architecture were investigated. It is noteworthy that the functional elements of the mills are designed according to the aerodynamics rules. This fact suggests that the builders of these mills were cognizant of the capacity and behavior of the wind to satisfy the daily needs of people.

Despite the many benefits of modern urban life, it has some disadvantages as well. One of the most important disadvantages is that modern urban life affects the mental and physical health problems due to exposure to urbanize problems such as air and noise pollutions, behavioral disorders including lawbreaking and law violation. Therefore, it seems crucial to allocate a special time to leisure activities in the natural or quasi natural environment to reduce the impacts of urban life.Parks can be one of the most suitable places for spending leisure time. Most parks, particularly urban parks are rarely designed and constructed based on scientific criteria. Thus, redesigning of urban parks based on cultural, educational and environmental criteria should be taken into consideration. Urban parks are one of the most important places that have the highest crime rates due to their inappropriate design. Urban parks are often designed in low quality due to the lack of implementation of standard rules such as massive vegetative areas, low lighting, dark corners and informal investigation. This makes the park less effective and its quantity, quality and sustainability can be affected. Therefore, the only solution for sustainable use of parks, especially the urban parks, which are not designed based on scientific criteria, is to redesign them. The ultimate aim of the present study is to resolve the problems relevant to lack of information discussed above by designing the park with creating priority maps needed for redesigning a park and by a comparative study of the correspondence between the criteria used in designing the Azadi Park in Shiraz and the actual ecological and socio-cultural criteria that are used in designing by a descriptive approach and data analysis using ANP method

This paper aims to throw a light on the present a scenario of sustainability in India with the help of two categories of cases and data i.e. unsustainable and sustainable pertaining to the scenario of sustainability in India. These cases and data encompass individuals, groups, communities and institutions, corporate and the administrative government in India which substantiate our argument in this regard. The rationale of the methodology of studying cases is to give a bigger picture of sustainability in India with the help of these examples and to approach the question in hand both with the help of both subjective observations and objective data from the existing bodies of knowledge. Note: This work is supported by UGC under NET-JRF.

Discovering the methods of constructing the domes, identification of different types of dome, studying the function of the structure, the strategies of drawing them, administrative works, as well as their related issues have been of special interest and concern of Iranian architects. Many valuable books, articles, and reports have been written in this field by Iranian architects. Thus, various types of dome such as rok, nar, and double-shelled have been introduced to the world and their functions have been investigated. In this architecture, ourchin dome, which is of typical characteristics of the tombs in southern part of Iran, has been neglected. Little information about this type of dome is available in the history of Iranian architecture. And this little information is limited to some reports and pictures from foreign tourists and unknown writers, including no more than a few names and dates of constructing of such structures. Therefore, the origin and the reason for the development of such domes as well as their role are still mysterious. The methodology of the current study is descriptive and analytical. In different parts of the present study, comparative, retrospective, and fieldwork studies have been used, whenever needed. In the current research, the root of the word, ourchin dome, and its meaning are pointed out. Also, the origin of Iranian architecture, which dates back to Seljuqid period, is introduced. Then, the geometric relationships of its sides are examined and different varieties of this dome [star and polygonal] are drawn. Studying the typology of the examples of this dome in Iran and Iraq revealed some remarkable points about the geometric, height, and shape of the dome, in addition to the number of its stories. Some factors, like the function of the crown, method of its construction, cover of the dome, and the system of the distribution of the load are clarified. Finally, by investigating the influential cultural and historical factors, we concluded that that the main reason for the development of the general structure of this type of dome was symbolic, not simply religious. This dome by its own or in combination with religious places has played an affective and functional role over time.

Building industry is beset with some problems among which are the challenges of cost reduction through timely, delivery, quality control and health/safety measures. The problems of unavailability and unreadiness of materials and working implements at the correct time and place. They team up to hinder the operations from being carried out on schedule. Procurement of quality materials and implement vis-à-vis the deployment of health/safety measures go a long way to muddle up value chain and specification which in effect hampers effective public building delivery. To achieve the stated aim three core objectives are set out as follows: to examine the input of timely delivery; assess the effect of quality improvement and ascertain the impact of health/safety measures all as cost reduction strategies in public building project delivery in the South East Nigeria. The field survey research approach were adopted to collect relevant data, structured questionnaire on contemporary issues on material management was administered to over 760 respondent selected on the basis of randomized stratified samplings technique. Data collected from field survey were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Among the major findings of the study is the variation in cost reduction and significantly reduced cost of public building projects delivery. Diligent building construction management in the area of time economy, quality improvement and good health/safety measures correlate highly and positively with each other as relevant factors in effective public building projects delivery.

The rate of increase in construction site accident is very large which readily indicate the need to examine and overhaul the existing safety practices deployed in building construction sites. In order to improve the overall safety performance, there is ample need to investigate the root causes of accidents; results of which could be utilized in formulating more conducive working conditions and environments to avert accident. The following were conducted: review of literatures, archives of reported accidents cases kept by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Also social surveys exercise using structured questionnaire forms were implemented to obtain relevant data from respondents who are mainly contractors, developers and consultant within Imo State, Nigeria. The finding reveals that accident result from critical factors such as unsafe method, human element, unsafe equipment, job site conditions, management and unique nature of the industry. After due analysis the main causes of accident were attributable to workers’ negligence, failure of workers to obey work procedures and safety principles; operating equipment without safety devices; poor site management; harsh work operation work at high elevation; low knowledge and skill level of workers; failure to use personal protective equipment and poor workers attitudes about safety. In general, lack of adherence to safety requirements which has led to increase exposure of workmen and the general public to risk situations on construction resulting in a high rate of incidence of accidents.

As scientists we tend to view technology as a scientific system but in fact the success of a particular technology at a particular time may rest less on its efficient performance and more on its 'social' relevance and impact. We now need to identify sustainable design investments for a very uncertain future of expanding populations, scarcer resources and climate change. Buildings in the Iranian desert regions are constructed according to the specific climatic conditions and differ with those built in other climates. Desert buildings are equipped with air traps, arched roofed, water reservoirs with arched domes and ice stores for the preservation of ice. The operation of modern coolers is similar to the old Iranian air traps which were built at the entrance of the house over underground water reservoirs or ponds built inside the house. Lofty walls, narrow and dry streets, highly elevated air traps, big water reservoirs and arched roofed chambers, are the outstanding features of desert towns in Iran. The ever shining scorching sun of the desert has rendered life very difficult for its hardy and warm-blooded inhabitants and has compelled them to resort to facilities that can moderate the unbearable heat. In the following paper, subjects relating to the building materials of desert towns and the method of operation of the traditional cooling systems in the cities with warm and arid climates are described. Herein the great wind catchers of Iran are a zero carbon cooling technology, but because the high towers of the region grew too large during a period of economic boom and soaring social hubris these structures may survive less well than if they had been more modest in their design.

According to 2006 census the vast majority of household live in the rural area of Nigeria, inhabits indigenous earth dwelling of various typologies. These accounted for thirty five percent of total national housing stock. They are characterized with deterioration and dilapidation. Ensuring an adequate performance level of well built earth dwelling, it requires high level of maintenance. Furthermore, many of these structures are built in ignorance of rules and regulations of good building practice. The focus group of professional especially architect and builder were organized to coordinate the study process, ensuring adequate evaluations of issues that can facilitate improved performances of earth as a building materials. The attitude of lack of maintenance was also considered and observed. Their recommendations are evaluated and classified according to issues and strategies: Seven prevailing factors facilitating fast deterioration of earth dwelling were identified. The study recommended fundamental strategies that could help to: Upgrade traditional building, Improve the performance and durability of earth dwelling, Reduce the amount of maintenance cost required by ensuring adequate building precautions and to create a practical and affordable construction based on local practice.

According to the importance of Iran's position in the Middle East region and the constant presence of outside threats and also due to the geographical dimension and Establishment of earthquake faults, Defense and devise have a vital role in many aspects of normal and Procrustean.it’s necessary to adopt various measures in order to protect vital installations and sites. The purpose of this study was to examine the principles and strategies of passive defense with an open approach to the points of entry to the cities. The analytical and descriptive methods are used in this study. Background of this issue in Iran, Successful experiences and ideas of experts in the field are reviewed after that the strategies of Passive defense in architecture design are studied, finally principles of Passive defense in redesign the points of entry to the cities are presented as a result. It’s expected that the urban systems are maintained and the risk of disruption of transport system is reduced in crisis situations by usage of these principles.