Thinking ahead

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 473.

For a truly sustainable development it is also important to look a few decades into the future. Currently when a building is demolished it is reduced to rubble and very little is reused. Most components are encased in concrete which reduces the potential for systematic deconstruction. For example steel framed buildings tend to be directly connected to their concrete floor, making it impossible to remove the frame and re-use it at a later date. Researchers are developing reversible fixing methods, meaning that the components could be reused.

A further long-term consideration for developers is global warming. Many areas, like the Thames Gateway, are being created on flood plains. Within the next 20 to 30 years these sites will experience flooding unless there is additional protection. Flooding could mobilise pollutants and contaminate rivers and water groundwater.

Without a doubt there are more hurdles associated with developing on brownfield rather than greenfield land, but careful planning, new cleanup techniques and modern building technologies mean that they are all surmountable. Using Brownfield is the ultimate in recycling and sustainability, and ensures that the countryside is still there for us all to enjoy.

1. What is the difference between a brownfield and a greenfield?

2. Why is recycling brownfields so topical in the UK?

3. What is the main treatment problem with recycling brownfields? What are acid tar lagoons?

4. Is it easy to treat acid tar lagoons? Why?

5. What construction dilemma should experts solve in re0using acid lagoons?

6. As you could see from the text, one of the basic issues in the environment protection is building sustainable communities. Using the text formulate what is sustainability. If necessary use an encyclopaedia.

7. What challenges does the project face?

8. Do you believe that the idea of recycling brownfields is promising in the UK?

7. Visit the site the Times Environment. Choose a piece of news to present to the class.