Building Ecology

Buildings consume 40% of our planet's materials and 30% ofits energy. Their construction uses up to three million tonnes ofraw materials a year and generates 20% of the soild wastestream. If we want to survive our urban future, there is nooption but to build in ways which improve the health ofecosystems. Understanding the concept of ecological sustainability andtranslating it into practice as sustainable development is a keychallenge for today's built environment professionals. Theskill and vision of those who shape our cities and homes is vitalto achieving sustainable solutions to the many environmental,economic and social problems we face on a local, national andglobal scale. Peter Graham offers here a holistic view of ecologicallysustainable building by drawing on established areas of knowledge,demonstrating their relevance to the environmentally-consciousbuilding professional and putting the process, product and impactof building into context. Case studies illustrate how sustainable principles have beenapplied successfully and discussion topics are offered to stimulatethought. Building Ecology will help planners, surveyors,designers and builders to incorporate sustainability into theireveryday practice by: · showing which styles of building are ecologicallysustainable · providing fundamental knowledge for making decisionsusing the principles of ecologically sustainable building · explaining a complex subject in a clear, balancedway. Building Ecology sets out the current scientific view ofhow nature works and how buildings link with and affect nature. Itprovides fundamental knowledge for building in harmony with natureand keeping Earth's life-supporting ecosystems healthy.