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Building information modelling (BIM) is one of the effective ways for deciding the suitable building orientation and envelope that controls project cost, time and energy. The present paper elaborates the application of BIM for sustainable urban-poor housing. A systematic methodology is briefly discussed that considers the design challenges and suitable masonry products for achieving sustainability. The designed methodology is applied to a single-storey urban-poor house in a representative location in India. With reference to current practice, eight orientations and seven masonry options in all were analysed for achieving sustainable building design. A zero-degree orientation with the analysed suitable masonry option (recycled paper mill waste brick) resulted in reductions in the embodied energy, cost and peak cooling load of 13, 16 and 19%, respectively, over the base case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the guidelines framed by the Indian government, there is non-compliance with site waste-management plans (SWMPs) as well as recycling at construction sites. This paper identifies the existing barriers and potential benefits and enforcement measures for implementing SWMP and recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Data gathered by means of a questionnaire survey, structured interviews and case studies are analysed using the beneficial index value (BIV) and relative mapping approach. From the results, it is concluded that factor B4 ('no guidelines are available in the company') has the highest BIV (6.70) and is the major barrier in implementing SWMPs. Factors BF4 (BIV: 7.42) with an efficient SWMP ('there will be conservation of natural resources) and MI8 (BIV: 7.32) ('legal requirements on environmental protection') are the most significant benefit and enforcement measure for SWMP implementation, respectively. Probable behavioural, legal, technical and marketing barriers for enforcement of recycling are identified, and the suggested measures for efficient recycling are as follows: (a) behavioural – enforcement of construction in government projects using recycled materials; (b) technical – development of code provisions for acceptable quantity of recycled construction waste (CW) in various building components; (c) legal – higher landfill charge with strict penalties for illegal dumping; and (d) marketing – increasing sales outlets for recycling material. Also, successful European C&D waste-management practices are compared with Indian initiatives to improve the CW management status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction industries are bulk generators of waste globally; improper management leads to environmental catastrophes. This paper identifies the significant factors through exploratory factor analysis and presents a novel approach to determining the causal relationships of various factors that lead to waste generation at construction sites by structural equation modelling. The analysis identifies maintaining and managing a site waste-management plan (SMP) as the top factor, with a path coefficient of 0·96. The impacts on waste generation of factors such as the operation stage (0·91), ordering and purchasing stage (0·84), hauling and handling stage (0·76), material handling stage (0·73), documentation (0·60) and culture (0·46) are quantified. Appropriate documentation provides the framework for SMP, on the basis of which other mitigation measures may be enforced, thus reinforcing the analysis results of SMP variables. Standardised documentation procedures for SMP need to be initiated and incentivised within existing green building performance rating frameworks, such as Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design–India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a shift towards western practice as well as desires making less sustainable housing practices in Mysore, India. It describes how increasing affluence has caused a desire to emulate western housing, making a shift away from community-based space to more private and insular housing. It highlights the cultural values in India.

Rehabilitation of century-old brick sewers involves important sustainability and serviceability issues. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation initiated an ambitious project in 2007 to rehabilitate, in its oldest section, major brick sewers more than 130 years old. The first phase of this project involved refurbishment of three trunk sewers about 12 km long, forming the backbone of the core city area's ageing sanitation infrastructure. The long-term issues addressed included retention of discharge capacities of sewers, regaining their structural integrity, reduction in water logging, protection against corrosion, future cleaning and maintenance, and socio-environmental aspects. Adoption of trenchless technology helped significantly in execution of works in a heavily congested urban area. The project presented a perfect example of municipal asset management and sustainable urban renewal for a colonial city that has been in existence for over 300 years. The cost of the project was about £32 million and the refurbished sewers were recommissioned in 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]