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The organic content of municipal solid waste has long been an attractive source of renewable energy, mainly as a solid fuel in waste-to-energy plants. This study focuses on the potential to use microbial fuel cells to convert municipal solid waste organics into energy using various operational conditions. The results showed that two-chamber microbial fuel cells with carbon felt and carbon felt allocation had a higher maximal power density (20.12 and 30.47 mW m-2 for 1.5 and 4 L, respectively) than those of other electrode plate allocations. Most two-chamber microbial fuel cells (1.5 and 4 L) had a higher maximal power density than single-chamber ones with corresponding electrode plate allocations. Municipal solid waste with alkali hydrolysis pre-treatment and K3Fe(CN)6 as an electron acceptor improved the maximal power density to 1817.88 mW m-2 (~0.49% coulomb efficiency, from 0.05–0.49%). The maximal power density from experiments using individual 1.5 and 4 L two-chamber microbial fuel cells, and serial and parallel connections of 1.5 and 4 L two-chamber microbial fuel cells, was found to be in the order of individual 4 L (30.47 mW m-2) > serial connection of 1.5 and 4 L (27.75) > individual 1.5 L (20.12) > parallel connection of 1.5 and 4 L (17.04) two-chamber microbial fuel cells . The power density using municipal solid waste microbial fuel cells was compared with information in the literature and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phrases ‘new uses need old buildings’ and ‘old buildings require new uses’ emphasise the mutually reinforcing relationships between historic buildings and new activities in cities. What the phrases do not say are the challenges and incompatibilities that are part of the urban redevelopment process. Singapore’s inner city has been transformed since the 1990s with the introduction of new economies. This paper focuses on one precinct that has undergone land use change – Little India. The concept of ‘gentrification aesthetics’ provides a suggestive frame to explore the form and outcome of urban change, as well as its contestations when new arts and cultural activities occupy historic buildings. Gentrification aesthetics as conceptualised in the West takes on different perspectives in Singapore, prompting questions on whether a ‘Singapore style gentrification’ is evolving – one that melds urban redevelopment with state ideology in arts enhancement and aesthetic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its quest to be a world city, many of Singapore’s urban spaces have been subjected to constant redevelopment. Derelict waterfronts and ageing neighbourhoods have been given new life, enjoying their reincarnation as landscapes of economy and leisure. A prevalent theme in Singapore’s transformation has been the reclamation of landscapes to cater to new users, activities and agendas. Adopting a case study of the Singapore River waterfront, this paper analyses three forms of urban reclamation. They include reclaiming functionality, aimed at infusing the waterfront with new land uses; reclaiming access, as a way of opening up the landscape to more people; and reclaiming the local, as a way to commemorate local cultures and histories. While government planners and private enterprise are intent on developing a world-class environment, Singaporeans and visitors respond to this urban vision in different ways with some praising the dynamism of worldly transformations and others criticising them as a prelude to a soulless city. While some degree of worldliness is essential in any redevelopment, a fine balance has to be sought between the excesses of global urbanism and the parochialism of vernacular concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) are globally used components of high technology products. A large amount of mercury in waste CCFLs is being recovered by thermal desorption technology in Taiwan. However, the complexity of the samples affects the thermal desorption efficiency and increases costs. This study identifies the mercury release behaviour of amalgam, phosphor and mercury-containing components as well as waste CCFLs by bench scale thermal desorption test. The results show that the mercury was released from amalgam and mercury/fluorescent powder from a real treatment plant at temperatures between 550°C to 850°C, which is much higher than from cinnabar at 300°C to 380°C and that of pure mercury, high pressure mercury lamps, and fluorescent tubes containing mercury/fluorescent-powder at 50°C to 250°C. In addition, the experiment also showed the mercury release peak of the mercury/fluorescent powders from a real treatment plant occurs at much higher temperatures than that of commercial phosphor at 50°C to 200°C. Thus, complete separation of the cracked CCFLs is necessary to effectively recover phosphor and mercury at low financial and energy cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In creative cities, new enterprises emerge all the time catering to the changing needs and lifestyles of visitors and local communities. Reputable institutions, cultural activities, iconic buildings as well as small, local businesses all play a role in 'branding' the creative city. This study presents one such small enterprise in the form of historical shophouse hotels in Singapore. These shophouse inns are locally owned, housed in architecturally unique buildings and are regarded as emblems of Singaporean identity. It is argued that the urban vernacular, exemplified through the hotels, is a dynamic concept evolving over time, across place and for different groups of people and users. First, the paper explores how the shophouse vernacular provides a platform for the celebration of Singaporean identity by new boutique hoteliers. Secondly, a critique is presented of the commodification of the shophouse as modern hoteliers (business and budget inns) jump onto the heritage bandwagon to create new urban spaces of identity. Finally, contestations are discussed, as different people consider different vernaculars to be worthy of a place in the transforming city. As Singapore evolves as a creative city, the multidimensionality of the vernacular provides a fitting emblem to showcase the creative possibilities of historical buildings, traditional architecture and urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]