Unit 2

I M.
Arch (Sustainable
Architecture)
Batch: 2022 - 2024
SARA5131 - CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF

SUSTAINABILITY
Tutor – Ar. Seetha Visalakshi. K

Department of Architecture
SIST, Chennai
Syllabus UNIT I: INTRODUCTION
Definitions of Sustainability- Various types of sustainability- Pillars of Sustainability-
Circle of Sustainability- Need for Sustainability- systems and their sustainability-
sustainability in the built environment context.
UNIT 2: CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Early man lifestyles- History and development of sustainability- Present day - Scale
and context of sustainability. Current Issues and Solutions of sustainability-
Vernacular architecture and its relevance. National and International policies and
Regulations on sustainability. Green Buildings -Difference between Green and
Sustainability- Climate Change, Global warming.
UNIT 3: PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
Political Sustainability, economic sustainability, cultural sustainability, social
sustainability, building sustainability- Corelationship between all - Driving factors of
sustainable change- Engineering principles of Sustainability - Systems approach to
sustainability.
UNIT 4: APPLICATION IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Concepts of green buildings, climate responsive building - Reduction of energy
consumption, direct and indirect methods - Reduction of water consumption, direct
and indirect methods- Carbon footprint and eco footprints of buildings- New
concepts and trends in green buildings, national and international.
UNIT 5: COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING
Exercise on Feedback Loop, Carrying Capacity of a system, energy principles of
sustainability, Carbon Foot print and eco foot print calculations.
SARA5131 – CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLITY (2022 - 2023 , SEM – I) Ar. Seetha Visalakshi. K
Department of Architecture, SIST, Chennai
The seasonal changes, climate, and other atmospheric conditions
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability created many challenges for early humans.
Modern examples that demonstrate what life might have been like
thousands of years ago show that seasons determine where
humans can survive.
For example, the Bushmen of Southwest Africa live in a consistent
climate. They move five or six times a year, but never travel more
then ten to twelve miles.
On the other hand, the Gidjingali Aborigines in northern Australia
Early Man Lifestyles eat water lilies from full swamps during the wet season, but move
to another area during dry season to hunt yam and geese.
The Netsilik Inuit living in Canada use their environmental
surroundings for all the necessities of life. Their houses are made
from snow and ice while their clothing, kayaks, sledges, and tents
are made from animal skins. Their tools and weapons are made
from bones and in the winter are used for seal hunting.
In the summer the Inuit hunt caribou and fish for survival (Ponting).
While hunting did cause a strain on some ecosystems, as Clive
Ponting states in his book, A Green History of the World: the
Environment and the Collapse of Great Civilizations, “all gathering
and hunting groups seem to have tried to control their numbers so
as not to overtax the resources of their ecosystem (p 23)”.
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability The changing climate played a crucial role in where humans actually
resided. For example, it was only twelve thousand years ago when
the last, long glacial period ended that humans attempted to live in
Europe and were able to adapt to the harsh ecosystem.
At that time Scandinavia, North Germany, Poland, the north-west

Soviet Union, and the majority of Britain were covered in ice. Due
to the low levels of plant life and vegetation, humans depended on
Early Man Lifestyles large animal herds for existence as well as new tools and
technology.
The permanent settlement of Europe was a turning point for

human existence because for the first time they were able to live
and thrive in extremely severe climatic conditions (Ponting).
The settlement of the Americas was also relatively late because the
humans had to cross the difficult Siberian climate as well as the
Bering Strait. On the contrary, early humans began to settle in the
Australia fifty thousand years ago where food was readily available
and the climate was very stable (Ponting).
Climatic changes definitely played a role in the
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability civilization of early humans.
At the end of the last glaciation period when
temperatures were relatively stable, scientists
theorize that humans adopted agriculture.
The better climate meant more resources and

vegetation available for humans; therefore,
the small mobile groups could begin to reside
Early Man Lifestyles in one area. Agriculture was a turning point in
early human life because humans began to
alter their surroundings for survival (Ponting).
The relationship between early humans and

their environment is extremely complex. On
one hand, the human race survived and
prospered despite the climatic difficulties.
On the other hand, the blossoming of early

humans directly caused the extinction or near-
extinction of many species as well as possibly
affecting the atmosphere and climate.
1650-1850 - Population Doubles 500 millions to billion
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability 18th Century – Effects of Population

18th – 19th Century – use of fossil fuels begins – increase in sanitation & disease control – population control
19th Century – Global Warming- Relationship between Plants & Environment Ecology
1930’s – Economic Models of Non – Renewable Resource management (Hotellings rule & Hatwicks rule)
Post World Wars – Enormous Technological Developments
Industrial Agriculture – Machines, Fertilizers , Pesticides.
1956 - Hubbert’s peak Oil theory
1972 – First International Conference by UN on Human Environment focusing on Sustainable Development held in
Stockholm
1973-1979- Global Energy Crisis
History and Development of 1980-US – Realise Energy Conservation. In developing Countries – Food Shortage , Medical Aid.
Sustainability 1982- World Charter for Nature – Identify the decline in Eco System.
1987- Un World Commision on Environment and development where the definition of Sustainability was framed
1980’s – Photovoltics & Wind energy was developed commercially.
1988 – Erik Conway popularises the term ‘ Global Warming’ & ‘Green House Effect ‘
1980- Global air & Sea temperature rises by about 0.3 Degree Celcius.
Agenda 21- 1992 Earth Summit, Rio De Jenerio ,Kyoto Protocol – 1997
20th Century – Industrial Revolution
2002 - The World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg
2010- IPCC confirms Climate Change as real.
By 2015 – Millennium Development Goals – 8 goals
2030 Agenda – Sustainable Development Goals – 17 goals
2019 – Sustainable Development Summit
2021 - Amrit Mahotsav: 10 Policies Shaping a Sustainable India
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability “Industrial Revolution”
The Western
industrial revolution
of the 18th to 19th
centuries tapped into
the vast growth
potential of the
energy in fossil fuels.
History and Development of
Sustainability
Coal was used to power ever more efficient engines and later to
generate electricity.
Modern sanitation systems and advances in medicine protected large
populations from disease. In the mid-20th century, a gathering
environmental movement pointed out that there were environmental
costs associated with the many material benefits that were now being
enjoyed.
In the late 20th century, environmental problems became global in
scale. The 1970s energy crises demonstrated the extent to which the
global community had become dependent on non-renewable energy
resources.
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability “Industrial Revolution”
In the search for a better standard of living, many people moved from
the countryside to the cities to find work in the new factories. The
burning of fossil fuels led to a massive increase in urban air pollution,
although most people felt that such a disadvantage was not significant
in the context of their new found prosperity.

Energy demands of the 19th Century
Sustainability
The Industrial Revolution began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
in Britain, before spreading around the world. Coal, oil and gas
(collectively termed fossil fuels) offered levels of energy production
previously undreamed of, leading to shifts towards factory-based
systems and the mass production of goods such as cotton.
Fossil fuels, principally coal at the beginning of the Industrial

Revolution, were primarily used to generate steam power and
electricity, but their applications were vast, with many industries
becoming automated, hence increasing their output
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability Impacts of global urbanisation and mitigation strategies
Impacts Mitigation Strategies
High traffic density ✓ Efficient public transport
✓ Compact city design
High amount of waste ✓ Recycling
Urban warming ✓ Increasing green space,
✓ Using reflective materials
Increasing Air pollution ✓ CO2 capture,
Sustainability
✓ Filtering exhaust gases,
✓ Increasing efficiency of industrial
processes/vehicles
Increasing energy ✓ Using renewable sources,
consumption/sinking resources
✓ Achieving low energy buildings,
✓ Increasing efficiency of devices/processes
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability Impacts of global urbanisation and mitigation strategies
Lack of biodiversity/natural habitat ✓ Increasing green space,
✓ Developing animal/plant protection areas
Sinking water resources ✓ Water purification

✓ Desalination
✓ Rainwater harvesting
Sustainability Rising food demand/poverty ✓ Vertical farming
✓ Artificial food production
✓ Greening the deserts
Land shortage for housing ✓ Constructing multifunctional buildings,

✓ Creative architectural designs
Weak Social cohesion ✓ Improving sociocultural environment

✓ Increasing the number of organisations-
events that bring people together
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability Planet National State City Individual
Time – Policy – Montreal – Ozone layer depletion

Afforestation – 10 years
Context :
Scale and context of Social conditions - Water free toilets
Sustainability Economical Conditions – BIPV ( Building Integrated Photo Voltaic Cells)
Political Conditions – Laws Enforced
Cultural Conditions - Kolam
International Policy decisions or Individual decisions will be based on time
and context
Formula - 3 Ball Theory
I - Impact of Sustainability , P – Population , A – Affluence of Population , T
- technology (into the technological development)
I = P x Ax T
US – I ,P ,A, T is high but P is low . India – All of them is High`.
Germany – No use of nuclear power and only Renewable power is used ,
Impact is reduced
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability
Domains in which Sustainability aspects are considered
1. Industrial – Norway
Domains in Sustainability 2. Manufacturing - Green Rated Products
3. Transportation.
4. Architectural Building Science
5. Agriculture (Organic Farming)
6. Ecology/Natural Environments (Sundarbans)
7. Tourism
8. Urban Planning (Urban Farming)
9. Animals – Domestic (Milking Cow)
Historic Growth of Urban population:
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability In 1950: 74.6 Crore out of 259 Crore (28 %)
In 2014: 390 Crore out of 725 Crore (53 %)
In 2050: 640 Crore (Estimate)
Cities with a Population of 1million
In 1950: 5 Cities
In 2014: 498 Cities
Current Issues 100 in China | 60 in India | 40 in USA
"endanger public health and welfare"
In the 21st century, there is increasing global awareness of the threat
posed by the human-induced enhanced greenhouse effect, produced
largely by forest clearing and the burning of fossil fuels.
In addition to urban air pollution however, other impacts of
industrialization were felt. There were drastic changes to land use with
the construction of new buildings, including factories and houses for
employees, and transport facilities, including new roads and rail tracks.
Areas of countryside were destroyed and replaced by industrial
developments. In order to make best use of the remaining land,
agricultural machinery was modernized to make the production of food
more efficient.
Energy Crisis
Current Issues
The 1970s energy crisis was a period in which the economies of
the major industrial countries of the world, particularly the United
States, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New
Zealand were heavily affected and faced substantial petroleum
shortages, real and perceived, as well as elevated prices.
The two worst crises of this period were the 1973 oil crisis and the
1979 energy crisis, caused by interruptions in exports from the
Middle East
Eco System – Depletion
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability Habitat Destruction
Extinction
Endangered Species
Deforestation
Olive Redely (Turtle)- Excess Fishing
Algae Thriving
Eco System Conservation / Preservation
Issues and solutions of
Nilgiris – Bio Reserve
Sustainability Pollutions – Air, Water , Soil, Noise , Light
Light Pollution – Syrcadium Rhythm (Sleep Clinic)
Climatic Change
Global Warming, Green House Gasses - Carbon Offsetting
Energy issues (requirement ) is high – High power generation
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability Renewable power – Sea Wind mill – Denmark , Netherland
Safe Nuclear Power Technology
Photovoltaic Cell – Germany ( Mountain Region – 17Sqm PV cell – 1KW of Power)
Power Recovery
Combined Heat Production
Combined Heat Generation
Bio fuel – Energy Plants
LED Lights , Solar Lights
Issues and Solutions of Water
Sustainability Potable Water – 600 liters /day – US
100-200 liters /day – India
Water Treatment – Reusing Water , Rain Water Harvesting
80-85 % urban area - Water less toilet , Dual Flushing Toilet , Sensor Taps
Green Building Fixtures – High Efficiency
Green Buildings – IGBC, GRIHA, LEED

Food
Organic Farming
Local Food Products usage
Local Farmers Market
Urban Farming
Hydroponics
Usage of Imported and other products will involve packaging and transportation.
1. Green Building in Chicago, IL—It's been more than a decade since Chicago
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability became the epicenter for LEED-certified buildings with the opening of the
Chicago Center for Green Technology. The city further focused on green
architecture by implementing the Green Permit Program to offer an expedited
permit process and the possibility of reduced fees for green projects. Chicago
has the most LEED-certified projects in the U.S. with 295.
By increasing its statewide use of wind energy to 8.3 percent, Texas saves
more than 8.1 billion gallons of water and avoids 22 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Sustainable Practices 2. Wind Energy in Corpus Christi, TX—Known as America’s Wind Power Port,
Corpus Christi houses the continent’s first on-port wind farm. The Port serves
as a shipping hub for wind turbines and also wants to harness Texas winds to
generate more clean energy in what is already the nation's top state for wind
power. Additionally, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi houses 11 vertical-
axis wind turbines that produce 92 kilowatts, which makes it the largest
installation of its kind in the nation.
3. Xeriscaping in Denver, CO—Denver has pioneered a type of landscaping
designed to conserve water, known as xeriscaping. Besides spreading the
idea to nearby “dry” climate states like Arizona and Nevada, Denver created
a program to make it easier than ever for residents to xeriscape around their
homes. The city’s water board has developed easy-to-follow downloadable
plans and resources so that every resident can remodel their yards. The city
also has a xeriscape demonstration garden that is open daily for residents
that appreciate a hands-on tutorial.
4. Organic Food in La Farge, WI—La Farge is home to Organic Valley, the largest
organic farming co-op in North America. State, village, federal and private funding
combined to make it possible, allowing the co-op to produce sustainable food
products. The 45,000 square-foot barn that houses the company optimizes natural
light, minimizes heat and was built with locally sourced materials, many of which
were recycled. All of the construction waste was recycled after building. The farm
also plays host to the Kickapoo County Fair, which hosts sustainability workshops
Sustainable Practices and rural heritage exhibits, ensuring that the entire community stays educated. The
surrounding area of Vernon County, also boasts more organic farms that any other
county in the nation.
5. Solar Energy in Long Beach, CA—Photovoltaic systems on the structures of

the Long Beach Convention Center and Long Beach Airport aid to California's
standing as the top state for solar energy. The Convention Center houses one of the
largest public-facility solar installations on the West Coast, generating 1 million
kilowatt-hours of pollution-free electricity. Meanwhile, the Long Beach government
set up an easy to follow manual helping residents apply for the “Residential
Renewable Tax Credit,” which offers a credit of 30 percent of qualified expenditures
for a solar system from the federal government.
Sustainable Practices
A rendering of the 47-acre solar installation at Freshkills Park on

Staten Island in New York. Photo credit: MikeBloomberg.com
6. Landfill Rehabilitation in New York, NY—Freshkills, formerly known as the world’s
largest landfill at 2,200 acres, is being turned into a park with advanced landfill
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability engineering techniques. Freshkills Public Park is three-times the size of Central Park. It
once accepted more than 29,000 tons of trash per day, but now landfill mounds have
been capped through a special process that will alleviate toxic fumes and the soil has
been treated to promote proper drainage and ensure public health and safety
regulations are not only met, but surpassed.
7. Climate Positive Community: Oberlin, OH—Oberlin is one of only three U.S. cities in
the Climate Positive Development Program which works to revitalize the local economy,
eliminate carbon emissions, restore local agriculture, food supply and forestry and
Sustainable Practices create a sustainable base for communities. The Oberlin Project developed five goals,
including reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2015 and developing local food sources
to meet 70 percent of consumption. Additionally, Oberlin College's Ecolympics, an
energy reduction competition, was the precursor to the Campus Conservation
Nationals, a national energy reduction competition. Oberlin's program combined the
city, Oberlin College and private partners in the community.
8. Sustainable Engagement in Philadelphia, PA—Mayor Michael A. Nutter developed

the Greenworks initiative five years ago to explore sustainability through the lenses of
energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement. Goals were set in each
category to be achieved by next year. So far, the city has expanded recycling options at
events and in public spaces; added additional types of plastics to the list of recyclable
materials in Philadelphia; and instituted e-waste drop-off centers to reduce the
amount of waste entering landfills and engage residents in sustainable action. The city
also planted more than 89,000 new trees and retrofitted more than 5,500 homes with
insulation, air sealing and cool roofs.
9. Alternative Transportation in Portland, OR—The Portland Bureau of
Transportation continues adding new bike routes to advance alternative
Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability transportation while maintaining current routes. Portland is also home to
the Bicycle Transportation Alliance whose mission is to create healthy,
sustainable communities by making bicycling safe, convenient and accessible.
Sustainable Practices
An aerial view of the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center, the largest composting facility
in North America. Photo credit: Peninsula Compost Group
10. Organic Recycling in Wilmington, DE—The Wilmington Organic Recycling
Center is the largest composting facility in North America, sitting on 27 acres and
accepting 160,000 tons of organic waste per year. The plant reduces greenhouse
gas emissions by an amount equivalent to removing 8,800 cars from area roads,
per year. The center also lowers the cost of organic waste disposal by 20-50
percent, which makes it possible for more residents and businesses to participate
in the program.

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I M.

SARA5131 - CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF

Tutor – Ar. Seetha Visalakshi. K

At that time Scandinavia, North Germany, Poland, the north-west

The permanent settlement of Europe was a turning point for

The better climate meant more resources and

The relationship between early humans and

On the other hand, the blossoming of early

Unit 2: Concepts of Sustainability 18th Century – Effects of Population

History and Development of

Fossil fuels, principally coal at the beginning of the Industrial

Sinking water resources ✓ Water purification

Land shortage for housing ✓ Constructing multifunctional buildings,

Weak Social cohesion ✓ Improving sociocultural environment

Time – Policy – Montreal – Ozone layer depletion

Domains in which Sustainability aspects are considered

Green Buildings – IGBC, GRIHA, LEED

5. Solar Energy in Long Beach, CA—Photovoltaic systems on the structures of

A rendering of the 47-acre solar installation at Freshkills Park on

8. Sustainable Engagement in Philadelphia, PA—Mayor Michael A. Nutter developed

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