Towards Adaptive Design Strategies for Zero-Carbon Eco-Cities in Egypt

Eco-cities concepts are relatively new initiative launched by the World Bank, to help cities in developing countries realise ecological, social and economic sustainable future. Furthermore, with growing severe climatic events such as the rise in global temperature, flooding, wild land fires, and sea level rise, there is an urgent need to adopt sustainable and ecological design principles for the development of future cities. Egypt, one of the developing countries and third largest populated nation in Africa, is currently facing a series of threats. These include limited access to natural resources in relation to the population size and economic growth. In addition to the continuous challenging climate change implications. Despite that, till now there are no clear laws or legislation for eco-city design and construction. In this manuscript, we are trying to lay hands on hidden potentials and analysing successful private initiatives for existing eco-communities in Egypt. We adopted the analytical case study method tackling different aspects like renewable energy, permaculture, eco-sanitation, solid waste management, vernacular architecture, green transportation and green economy. The research contributes by critically analysing such attempts and concludes with design recommendations and strategies on how to reach an environmentally enriched, healthier, resilient and socially rewarding zero-carbon cities, running on their own locally available resources for the Egyptian cities

TRANSFORMASI NOVEL SERIAL WIRO SABLENG EMPAT BREWOK DARI GOA SANGGRENG KE DALAM KOMIK SERIAL SILAT

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh adanyatransformasi novel serial WiroSablengEmpatBrewokdai Goa Sanggrengkedalamkomik. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untukmengetahuistruktur novel maupunkomikWiroSablengEmpatBrewokdari Goa Sanggrengdanuntuk mengetahui proses transformasibesertamaknatransformasinya.Teori yang digunakanuntukmengetahuistruktur novel menggunakanskemaaktandanmodel fungsional, sedangkanuntukmenelitistrukturkomikmenggunakanteoritransisi panel danuntukmeneliti proses transformasimenggunakanHipogram. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metodekualitatifdenganteknikpengolahan data analisisdeskriptif.Denganmenggunakanmetodetersebutkeduaobjek yang ditelitistrukturnyadianalisidenganpenggambaranapaadanya.SetelahkeduastrukturtelahdiketahuimakaselanjutnyadianalisidenganmelihatperbandinganteksHipogramdantekstransformasiyang meliputiEkspansi, Konversi, Modifikasi, danEkserp/irisanuntukmengetahui proses danmaknatransformasi.Hasiltemuanpenelitianyaitu, Ekspansiterjadipenambahanalurdanpengaluran, tokoh, danlatar.Konversiterjadiperubahanpolacerita, pengurangandanperubahansistempenamaantokoh, danpenguranganlatartempat.Modifikasiterjadipengurangandanpenambahancerita, perubahanpenggambarantokoh, danpengubahanlatar.Ekserp/irisanterdapatkesamaanpenggambarantokohdanalurceritautama.Penelitianiniberpusatpada novel WiroSableng yang ditransformasikankekomik, karenanyapeneliti lain dapatmembahasbentuktransformasi lain yaitutransformasi novel serial silatWiroSableng yang ditransformasikankebentuk film;-- This research was motivated by the transformation of the serial novel WiroSablengEmpatBrewokdari Goa Sanggreng into comics. The purpose of this study was to determine the structure of the novel and comic books WiroSablengEmpatBrewokdari Goa Sanggrengand to know the meaning and its transformation process transformation. The theory used to determine the structure of the novel use actant scheme and the functional model, while researching the comic structure using transition theory and a panel to examine the process of transformation using Hipogram. The method used is qualitative method with descriptive analysis of data processing techniques. Using the method of both objects studied its structure was analyzed by describing what it is. After the two structures have been known then further analyzed by looking at the text comparison Hipogram and text transformation which includes expansion, conversion, modification, and Ekserp / sliced to know the process and meaning of transformation. The findings, namely, expansion is the addition of a groove and pengaluran, character, and setting. Conversion changes the pattern of the story, reduction and change of character naming system, and a reduction in background. Modifications and additions to a reduction in the story, change the depiction of the characters, and changing the background. Ekserp / slices there are similarities depiction of the characters and the main storyline. The researchers focused on a novel WiroSableng transformed into a comic, so that other researchers can discuss other forms of transformation is the transformation of the serial novel silatWiroSableng transformed into film

A comparative study of life cycle carbon emissions and embodied energy between sun-dried bricks and fired clay bricks

Publisher's version (útgefin grein)This study presents a comparison of the life cycle carbon emission (LCCO2) and embodied energy calculation between two kinds of bricks, sun-dried and fired clay, as means of evaluating the energy and climate impact of each brick type and the economics of production. Focus is paid to the differences across the whole production chain between sun-dried clay bricks, which represent the traditional norm, and fired clay bricks, which are the most widely-used walling materials in conventional buildings. A case study was carried out in Dakhla Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt. The results of this study show that if sun-dried bricks are used instead of fired bricks, a reduction of up to 5907 kg CO₂e (in CO₂ emissions) and 5305 MJ of embodied energy for every1000 bricks produced could be achieved. The paper concludes by offering alternative scenarios for brick-making and suggestions for improving sun-dried brick production. The methodology used in this study contributes to the development of an investigative-comparative way to assess choices between building materials. It also intends to help inform local homeowners and building practitioners not only in Egypt, but also globally, about resource depletion, energy consumption, and harmful emissions from fired industrial bricks as a common building construction material.We would like to acknowledge Dr. Bernhard Steubing for his guidance on the applicability of using SimaPro in the Egyptian context and Dr. Andr? Stephan for his comments on an early draft of this study. Special thanks to Mr. Saber Osman for his swift response and help with technical reports on the Egyptian Brick Factory GHG Reduction Project and Eng. Baher El- Sharaawy for his help with data from the Egyptian GIS unit and CAPMAS. Thanks to Dr. Ahmed Abdelmontaleb for the discussion on LCA for the brick industry in Egypt. Sincere gratitude to Eng. Jaber Aboelela, Architect Zeiad Amer and Architect Yasser Abdallah for their kind help with providing information on brick production in Egypt.Peer Reviewe

Circularity in the New Gravity—Re-Thinking Vernacular Architecture and Circularity

The mounting climate change crisis and the rapid urbanization of cities have pressured many practitioners, policymakers, and even private investors to develop new policies, processes, and methods for achieving more sustainable construction methods. Buildings are considered to be among the main contributors to harmful environmental impacts, resource consumption, and waste generation. The concept of a circular economy (CE), also referred to as “circularity”, has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years. CE, in the context of the building industry, is based on the concept of sustainable construction, which calls for reducing negative environmental impacts while providing a healthier indoor environment and closing material loops. Both vernacular architecture design strategies and circular economy principles share many of the same core concepts. This paper aims at investigating circular economy principles in relation to vernacular architecture principles in the built environment. The study demonstrates how circular principles can be achieved through the use of vernacular construction techniques and using local building materials. This paper will focus on Egypt as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a wide vernacular heritage, exploring how circularity is rooted in old vernacular settlements and how it can inspire contemporary circular practices

Thinking hands : A hands-on, pedagogical living lab approach to green building methods in hot arid regions

Sustainability and environmental illiteracy is still common in architectural curricula. This may lead to further generations of architects who are unequipped for global sustainability goals. This paper discusses a living lab teaching experience which investigates the roles of learning by doing and hands-on building experimentation to root an understanding of sustainability in architectural education. The design studio focused on passive, low-cost and energy-efficient approaches suitable for a hot arid climate. The students were asked to design a refugee shelter prototype that is cost- and time-efficient with the least impact on the environment after demolition. The course teaching process also included invited guest speakers, field trips and a practical hands-on workshop for low-tech building techniques – all that can serve as a foundation for designing and building a full-scale physical model of their refugee shelter proposal. Thermal comfort and energy consumption for the design proposal was evaluated by simulation, and the physical implementation was evaluated by field monitoring. This paper outlines the design studio pedagogical experimental process and the resulting students’ projects. It will also show the various skills the students had acquired and present how this type of pedagogy could be viewed as a pilot model for green architecture education

Thinking hands : A hands-on, pedagogical living lab approach to green building methods in hot arid regions

Sustainability and environmental illiteracy is still common in architectural curricula. This may lead to further generations of architects who are unequipped for global sustainability goals. This paper discusses a living lab teaching experience which investigates the roles of learning by doing and hands-on building experimentation to root an understanding of sustainability in architectural education. The design studio focused on passive, low-cost and energy-efficient approaches suitable for a hot arid climate. The students were asked to design a refugee shelter prototype that is cost- and time-efficient with the least impact on the environment after demolition. The course teaching process also included invited guest speakers, field trips and a practical hands-on workshop for low-tech building techniques – all that can serve as a foundation for designing and building a full-scale physical model of their refugee shelter proposal. Thermal comfort and energy consumption for the design proposal was evaluated by simulation, and the physical implementation was evaluated by field monitoring. This paper outlines the design studio pedagogical experimental process and the resulting students’ projects. It will also show the various skills the students had acquired and present how this type of pedagogy could be viewed as a pilot model for green architecture education

Circularity in the New Gravity—Re-Thinking Vernacular Architecture and Circularity

The mounting climate change crisis and the rapid urbanization of cities have pressured many practitioners, policymakers, and even private investors to develop new policies, processes, and methods for achieving more sustainable construction methods. Buildings are considered to be among the main contributors to harmful environmental impacts, resource consumption, and waste generation. The concept of a circular economy (CE), also referred to as “circularity”, has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years. CE, in the context of the building industry, is based on the concept of sustainable construction, which calls for reducing negative environmental impacts while providing a healthier indoor environment and closing material loops. Both vernacular architecture design strategies and circular economy principles share many of the same core concepts. This paper aims at investigating circular economy principles in relation to vernacular architecture principles in the built environment. The study demonstrates how circular principles can be achieved through the use of vernacular construction techniques and using local building materials. This paper will focus on Egypt as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a wide vernacular heritage, exploring how circularity is rooted in old vernacular settlements and how it can inspire contemporary circular practices

Assessment of X-Salt characterization: a salt-based construction material using natural adhesives for additive manufacturing

Purpose – Despite the dramatic increase in construction toward additive manufacturing, several challenges are faced using natural materials such as Earth and salt compared to the most market-useable materials in 3D printing as concrete which consumes high carbon emission. Design/methodology/approach – Characterization and mechanical tests were conducted on 19 samples for three natural binders in dry and wet tests to mimic the additive manufacturing process in order to reach an efficient extrudable and printable mixture that fits the 3D printer. Findings – Upon testing compressive strength against grain size, compaction, cohesion, shape, heat and water content, X-Salt was shown to record high compressive strength of 9.5 MPa. This is equivalent to old Karshif and fire bricks and surpasses both rammed Earth and new Karshif. Material flow analysis for X-Salt assessing energy usage showed that only 10% recycled waste was produced by the end of the life cycle compared to salt. Research limitations/implications – Findings are expected to upscale the use of 3D salt printing in on-site and off-site architectural applications. Practical implications – Findings contribute to attempts to resolve challenges related to vernacular architecture using 3D salt printing with sufficient stability. Social implications – Benefits include recyclability and minimum environmental impact. Social aspects related to technology integration remain however for further research. Originality/value – This paper expands the use of Karshif, a salt-based traditional building material in Egypt’s desert by using X-Salt, a salt-base and natural adhesive, and investigating its printability by testing its mechanical properties to reach a cleaner and low-cost sustainable 3D printed mixture

The Practice and Politics of Urban Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts : The Case of Cairo

Research on climate change mitigation and adaptation is pressing in order to understand its implications and risks in different urban areas. It is especially critical for those who face high degrees of urban inequality in the context of an uneven state presence. This paper is an explorative and investigative study which uses Cairo as a case. The focus of the study is on mapping state and private sector efforts in mitigating climate change issues, specifically for vulnerable groups who have limited access to public services. The study adopted an investigative approach where a literature search and bibliometric mapping were used to identify the gap in knowledge in the field of architecture and urban climate change mitigation and adaptation, followed by a field survey which included conducting interviews and questionnaires with different stakeholders from the public and private sector to investigate the link between the efforts for climate change mitigation. The explorative part of the study concluded that there is a huge knowledge gap in the Middle East and in Egypt when it comes to research efforts related to climate change with a focus on the built environment. The results of the investigative part of this study revealed that-apart from already limited efforts on ground-there is no synchronization in efforts between the public and private sector. Climate change issues are still not a priority when poverty, economy, and health are still a prime concern and take precedence over climate change. There is uneven presence of public efforts for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The efforts that do exist in the public sphere are self-help unorganized work (efforts) conducted by the civil society