Assignment 2

Question:

An environmental engineering firm is requested by a developer client to prepare an analysis of a

piece of property adjacent to a forest for potential development as a residential area. During the
firm’s analysis, one of the engineering firm’s biologists reported that in his opinion, the
residential project could threaten a bird species that inhabits the adjacent protected forest. The
bird species in not an “endangered species,” but it is considered a “threatened species” by federal
and state environmental regulators.

(a) Research the applicable standards that the developer should adhere to in order to
comply with the requirements of the federal and state environmental regulators.
(b) As a principal engineer in the firm, suggest a solution or compromise such that the
residential project can proceed. Justify your answer from the environment and
sustainability point of view.
(10 marks)
(CLO2:PLO7:C5)
 The construction industry is one of the most resource-hungry and environmentally
detrimental industries in the world. The first step to start developing a construction project is to
apply for land-use conversion. The application must comply with the standards of several
departments, each of which specializes in a specific aspect.

In the beginning, the developer of the project must review the sections under the National Land
Code Act 828 before passing the development plan to District Land Office (DLO). Accordingly,
the district land office will proceed with the authorization of the development plan after consulting
with a total of eleven departments, including the department of environment and Forestry.
However, upon receiving a land conversion permit from the district land office, the firm must also
approve the building design from the local authority. As a principal engineer at the firm, I will
consider the following:

Before submitting the final comprehensive design, I will acquire assistance from several biologists,
all of whom are specialists in birds’ behaviour. In addition, I will prepare a report that incorporates
a detailed description of the ecosystem in the adjacent forest. Gathering all this information is
essential to develop a residential building design that is in conformity with the green construction
principles. For example, avoid installing transparent glass windows which prevent some bird
species from crashing and dying. Also, any addition to the building that could attract the adjacent
animals must not be developed. For example, if constructing a pool will attract this species of bird,
then it's compulsory to construct an inside pool.

The solution not only revolve around the final design, but it also includes the construction process
and every utilized technology. As a result, any construction team that will violate the regulations
associated with the waste management plan must be fined. The waste management plan will
include instructions that prevent the occurrence of any pollution to the adjacent forest. For
example, the sewerage pipes and the emissions generated from equipment should not in any
circumstances affect the forest. Once the building is ready to hand over, the owners must include a
section about the adjacent forest and therein regulation to prevent disturbing the wildlife.

Every developer should be oriented toward sustainable and environmentally construction. If the
suggested solutions and compromises are not valid, the best course of action is to apply for a new
land-use conversion in another location.