Sustainable development and the Scottish New Build Scheme – a case study

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Abstract

The agreement set out in The Climate Change Act 2008 to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 places pressure on the construction industry across the UK. This study focuses on the Scottish New Build Housing Scheme and how the construction sector is reducing CO2 production through sustainable developments. A systematic literature review examined strategic elements of a sustainable development; social, economic and environmental sustainability to understand the criteria used to measure sustainability. An ethnographic approach based on observations, discussions and documentary evidence was adopted during the course of data gathering.
Ongoing developments within the West of Scotland identified as being built for sustainability in the 21st century was used as the case study. Significant changes in construction design, materials and techniques were identified; the principal one being the change from traditional brick and block, to timber frame crane erect construction. The study identified other construction design elements such as affordability, community facilities, public transport, and waste reduction as imperative in a sustainable development. While the choice of external finishes could reduce the impact of the development on local environment and wildlife; internal material selection and specification could potentially increase the long-term energy efficiency of these new build. New technologies such as solar panels, high-speed broadband, electric car charging points were also identified as important elements within these sustainable developments.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) World Building Congress 2019 – Constructing Smart Cities
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jun 2019

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