Post by account_disabled on Mar 5, 2024 7:35:32 GMT
Cities consume 78% of the world's energy and produce more than 60% of greenhouse gas emissions , according to the United Nations. If we add to this the forecast of this same organization that estimates that, by the year 2050, there will be 2.5 billion more people residing in urban areas, it is necessary to increase efforts and take measures to address climate change. Thus, taking into account that cities are one of the factors that most affect climate change, it is necessary to undertake an urban transformation so that construction generates the least possible environmental impact , both when carrying out as in the subsequent use of the new homes. In this sense, do you know what sustainable buildings are? Below, we explain what they consist of, what their characteristics are and why it is important to understand the meaning and importance of advances focused on environmental evolution. CTA Post What are sustainable buildings? Sustainable buildings are those that try to generate a positive environmental impact on their surroundings . That is, they seek to improve the quality of life of the location in which they are built.
This objective is taken into account from the beginning of the project, which is why, already during its construction, CO2 emissions are avoided and renewable energies are chosen as far as possible . Likewise, beyond their construction, homes must be focused on sustainable use and, at the same time, promote the well-being of their users. What are the main characteristics of sustainable buildings? As you can see, the main purpose of sustainable buildings lies in energy Europe Mobile Number List efficiency and respect for both the environment and the people who live in that environment . To generate this positive environmental impact and guarantee environmental and energy well-being , it is essential that this type of housing meets the following characteristics: sustainable-buildings Are sustainable, ecological and green buildings the same thing? In certain contexts it is common for the terms sustainable, ecological and green to be confused . However, in the case of buildings, their meanings are notably different. On the one hand, green buildings show a significant number of trees, landscaped areas or gardens in their construction . On the other hand, sustainable buildings, as we have already mentioned, have a design that optimizes natural resources, so that their construction minimizes the environmental impact.
The other hand, ecological buildings go one step further than green and sustainable buildings, since they only allow the use of ecological materials in their construction. That is, in this type of housing, the environmental impact cannot be neutral, but rather it is essential that it be positive . Examples of sustainable buildings If a building meets the necessary characteristics to be considered a sustainable building, it can obtain a LEED certification ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) that endorses its status. This certification was developed by the United States Green Building Council in 1993 and certifies that a building is built with eco-efficiency standards and meets the standards and requirements to be sustainable . Without going any further, currently, there are more than 14,000 buildings that have LEED certification. And, although it may seem that sustainable buildings are a rather futuristic idea, the truth is that they are a reality. In this sense, below, we present some examples of sustainable buildings that exist in the world: Turning Torso : It is a construction located in the Swedish city of Malmö and designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. One of its main characteristics, in addition to the design itself in the form of a twisting spine, is that all of the energy consumed in the skyscraper is renewable and is generated in the area.