Environmental Design Commons^™

More Than One Way To Think About Urban Streets, John I. Gilderbloom, William W. Riggs

William W. Riggs

This op-ed discusses research into the differences between one-way and two-way street design, and how two-way streets are associated with fewer traffic accidents, less crime and abandonments, and increased housing prices.

The Cost Versus Price For Parking Spaces At Major Employment Centers: Findings From Uc Berkeley, Tudela-Rivadeneyra, Manish Shirgaokar, Elizabeth Deakin Aldo, Manish Shirgoakar, Elizabeth A. Deakin, William W. Riggs

William W. Riggs

In dense urban areas, surface parking often poses an opportunity cost, and reuse of the land for urban development with parking relocated to a multistory structure may be an attractive option. This paper analyzes the cost of replacing surface parking with a parking structure and finds that it may be equally cost effective to pursue travel demand management strategies. The paper analyzes what it costs to build a parking space in a multi-story structure (garage) using US average data as well as data from a substantially higher-cost case, the University of California, Berkeley. The Berkeley case illustrates how replacement of …

Sun, Wind & Light: Architectural Design Strategies, 3rd Edition, Mark Dekay, G Z. Brown

Mark DeKay

An updated guide to designing buildings that heat with the sun, cool with the wind, and light with the sky.This fully updated Third Edition covers principles of designing buildings that use the sun for heating, wind for cooling, and daylight for natural lighting. With 432 printed pages and a 450-page electronic book, supplemented with Digital Extras, this package supplies the preliminary design tools and strategies for achieving Architecture 2030® carbon-neutral performance targets. Using hundreds of illustrations, this book offers practical strategies that give the designer the tools they need to make energy efficient buildings.Hundreds of illustrations and practical strategies give …

Classroom Design And Teachers’ Performance In Selected Secondary Schools In Ogun State, Nigeria, Olukunle Saheed Oludeyi

Olukunle Saheed, OLUDEYI

Studies on classroom design, most especially in Nigerian secondary schools, are seriously lacking. With particular focus on selected teachers in Ogun State, this ex-post facto research examined classroom design and its influence on teachers’ performance in teaching job. A total of 128 participants were randomly selected from 16 secondary schools in Ijebu Ode and 128 questionnaires titled ‘Scale on Classroom Design and Teachers Performance’ (SCDTP) with reliability co-efficient of 0.82 obtained through cronbach alpha method was developed and administered on the target participants. 96 instruments, constituting 75% of the total administered, were however returned and analysed. Simple percentage and Chi-square …

Greenbacks For Building Green: Does A Lender For Sustainable Construction Projects Need To Make Adjustments To Its Current Practices?, Darren Prum

Darren A. Prum

In the development of real property, the availability of money to secure construction resources becomes an important factor for success. The construction loan plays a central role in providing funds to erect a building on real property, but a lender faces numerous exposures that might result in a loss. In evaluating a project to determine its viability and to uncover any exposure it might present, a lender will conduct an extensive underwriting review process and will use mitigation techniques through the construction loan agreement and disbursement requirements to reduce the perceived risks to an acceptable business level, for those developments …

Our Own Private Sustainable Community: Are Green Covenants, Conditions, And Restrictions A Viable Alternative To A More Environmentally Sustainable Future For Homeowners?, Darren Prum, Robert Aalberts

Darren A. Prum

Residential and commercial property owners have sought for centuries to develop and enrich their physical environment through private land use planning. In more recent decades, residential owners residing in community interest communities have been particularly active in crafting an evolving array of deed restrictions contained in Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions( CC&R’s). CC&R’s, which are generally created by the CIC developer , are mutually binding and enforceable against all those who live or conduct business in self-selected residential subdivisions or commercial developments . Importantly, CC&R’s are monitored sometimes quite forcefully, under the watchful eye of an empowered planned development association.

Although …

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic problems of our time. Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The fundamental goal of this thesis was to assess the effects of desertification in Yobe State, Nigeria. The present threat of desertification in the sahel has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive, soil has lost its nutrient/fertility, various infrastructure had given way because of windstorm from the neighbouring Niger Republic and sand dunes had taken over. The …

Buried Clay Pipe Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

The buried clay pipe method of irrigation is one of the most efficient systems known and is ideal for gardeners and small farmers. Buried clay pipe irrigation uses a buried, unglazed clay pipe filled with water to provide controlled irrigation to plants as the water seeps out through the clay wall at a rate that is influenced by the plant's water use. It has been used for more than one hundred years.This auto-regulation leads to very high efficiency--considerably better than drip irrigation and many times better than conventional surface irrigation. This also reduces weeds, increases yields, and can speed maturity …

Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This research work looked in the used of Remote Sensing to improve Agricultural production in Kutigi, Niger State. The aim of the study is to use remote sensing to improve rice farming activities in Kutigi, Niger State. It is very important to identify such methods to improve Agricultural production because experts are always interested in new researches and findings to better the standard of living in any environment. In view of this, Remotely-sensed data could be used or employed to elevate most of these agricultural problems in Kutigi through the following objectives: Using Landsat imagery to assess the present landuse …

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …

Preferred Iconography For Development Of New Garden Identity, Mina Kaboudarahangi, Osman Mohd Tahir, Mustafa Kamal M.S

Mina Kaboudarahangi

The intention of this study is to highlight the importance of garden in creating national landscape identity. Malaysia with great interest and potential with three main ethnic groups was selected as a case study. It is presumed that people with divers cultural backgrounds would have difference opinions about gardens. With the attention to the visual and artistic quality of gardens, an iconographic method dealing with both art and history was selected in this study. It concluded that garden iconography should be understood as a collection of stimuli that is open to perception, interpretation, and judgment. Consequently, four gardens among well …

Speculations On The Future City, Dr. Fatih A. Rifki

Dr. Fatih A. Rifki

No abstract provided.

Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd)

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study assessed land use/land cover changes and its effect on Agricultural land in Anyigba. The objectives were to identify and delineate different land use / land cover categories, assess the rate of change that occurred and examine the impact of land use/land cover change on food security using satellite remote sensing data collected at three different years (1987 Land sat TM, 2001 Land Sat TM and 2011 Land Sat ETM). The study utilized GIS software such as Idrisi Andes academic and ArcGIS 9.3. The study area covers approximately 31.8km2, and four major land use/cover classes were utilized (built up, …

Hilgard Hall (John Galen Howard) Historic Structures Report, William Riggs, Frederic Knapp

William W. Riggs

Historic structures report to evaluate the existing conditions and historic status of Hilgard Hall on the UC Berkeley campus according to the National Park Service’s cultural management guidelines. Designed by John Galen Howard, Hilgard Hall is part of the Agriculture Complex, a trio that is the most unified grouping of buildings on the campus. Wellman Hall, designed by John Galen Howard, was completed in 1912 as the first of the three buildings. Hilgard Hall, also designed by Howard, followed in 1917 and Giannini Hall, designed by William C. Hays to be compatible with the two existing buildings, completed the east …

Synergistic Green Networks To Transform Lonsdale Suburbia, Archana Sharma

Archana Sharma

No abstract provided.

Iconographic Method And The Development Of Emerging Garden’S Identity, Mina Kaboudarahangi, Osman Mohd Tahir, Mustafa Kamal M.S

Mina Kaboudarahangi

Garden design has been described as a category of fine arts with a long association with landscape painting. Thus, gardens can be considered as a work of art due to their artistic nature and value. Accordingly, like other artistic artefacts, they can be studied and recognized by their specific icons. This is very true for a number of well-known gardens in the world, like Persian, English, Japanese and Chinese gardens, which are recognized through their individual icons. However, emerging gardens still do not possess any icons that people can identify them with. Consequently, there is a need for these gardens …

Phd Thesis Before Upm Senate, Mina Kaboudarahangi

Mina Kaboudarahangi

No abstract provided.

Socio-Economic Effects Of Demolishing Squatter Settlements And Illegal Structures In Abuja Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Ishaku Iy Mallo Phd, Victor G. Obasanya

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Abuja the Federal Capital Territory and study area is located between latitudes 8o25’ and 9o25’ North of the Equator and longitudes 6o45’ and 7o45’ East of the Greenwich Meridian. The study was carried out in Abuja Phase 1, and it is aimed at highlighting various socioeconomic effects of demolition of illegal structures and informal or squatter settlements on the people within the study area. Data was collected through reconnaissance survey, personal interviews with respondents, and a well laid out questionnaire. The results indicate that the demolition exercise embarked upon by the authorities in the Federal Capital Territory was a response …

Rainfall Variability And Crop Zones Classification For The Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Shaibu M. Hassan Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study aims at analyzing agro-climatological parameters and establishing a link between some selected agro-climatological indices and sustainability of agricultural production in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Two sets of data, climatic and crop yield data were collected and subjected to various agro-climatological analyses. Agro-climatological analyses include the derivation of Onset, Cessation and Length of Rainy Season (LRS), Seasonality Index, Drought Index and Precipitation Periodicity Index. The statistical analyses include monthly and annual means, deviation from the mean, trend line. The result of moisture index in line with crops optimum moisture requirement was used to classify the Territory into agro-climatic …

Wick Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

Wick irrigation offers the potential for very low cost, robust microirrigation in difficult environments. Wick irrigation was first used in India in combination with buried clay pot irrigation. It has proven itself in the most severe desert conditions.

Super Efficient Irrigation With Buried Clay Pots, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

Buried clay pot irrigation was first described in an agricultural extension bulletin in China more than 2000 years ago. The clay pot provides demand responsive irrigation at very high efficiency. Clay pot irrigation can be 5-10 times more efficient than conventional irrigation. It is being used more widely in Asia, Africa, Latin American and the US.

The Bonds That Tie: Will A Performance Bond Require That A Surety Deliver A Certified Green Building?, Darren Prum, Lorilee Medders

Darren A. Prum

In 2006, the city of Washington, D. C. passed landmark legislation that introduced green building requirements for various types of structures into the jurisdiction over a five-year period. A noteworthy aspect of the legislation directed construction projects within the district to purchase green performance bonds up to $3 million to guard against a privately owned project’s failure to meet its green building aspirations. In essence, this law placed the burden of guaranteeing compliance with the government’s policy upon the contractors and sureties of a green building project.

Following the passage of this act, confusion amongst the construction industry and sureties …

In Third Parties We Trust? The Growing Antitrust Impact Of Third-Party Green Building Certification Systems For State And Local Governments, Darren Prum, Robert Aalberts, Stephen Del Percio

Darren A. Prum

According to the American Institute of Architects, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of municipalities with a green building program in place since 2007. And 24 of the country's 25 largest metropolitan areas are built around a city with green building legislation on its books. Reducing buildings' environmental impact is a noble - and critical - goal. But governments' reliance on private, third-party standard-setting organizations - and the rating systems that they promulgate - as the basis for that legislation may be legally problematic.

This Article reviews one of those potentially problematic bases: antitrust. In order …

The Potential Of Iconography As A Method In The Development Of A New Garden Identity, Mina Kaboudarahangi, Osman Mohd Tahir, Mustafa Kamal M.S

Mina Kaboudarahangi

Garden design has been described as a category of fine arts and, it has a long time interrelationship with the art of painting. Gardens can be defined as works of art due to their artistic values. Therefore, like other artifacts, they can be studied and recognized by their specific icons. Numerous famous historical gardens in the world are recognized through their individual icons. However, newly developing gardens do not yet posses any icons that represent them. Nevertheless, these new gardens should be developed, recognized and identified through their particular icons, to exhibit their exclusive identities. Hence, this paper will discuss …

Preferred Iconography In Developing Garden Identity For Malaysia, Mina Kaboudarahangi

Mina Kaboudarahangi

Malaysia has always been proud of her unique natural environment and cultural heritages, but still is searching for an exclusive identity of its own gardens. There is a great potential for development of a garden identity for the country, based on her rich legacy in traditions, cultures and beliefs, through which she could identify herself. The nation has a complex population composed of Malay, Chinese and Indian races. Hence, the icon, form, quality and appearance that are going to be introduced for Malaysian gardens should be appreciated, valued and respected by the Malaysian publics with diverse culture and preferences. This …

Girton Hall (Julia Morgan) Historic Structures Report, William Riggs, Mark Hulbert, Steve Finacom

William W. Riggs

Historic Structures Report for Girton Hall, the former Senior Women's Hall on the campus of the University of California Berkeley (UCB). The primary purpose for this HSR is to document the history of the subject property, identify historic building significance and make treatment recommendation, all in order to provide and disseminate such information to those responsible for future projects that would affect the future property. Girton Hall was designed and constructed in 1911 to provide a meeting and social hall dedicated to women students and their activities. It served those purposes, in a waning capacity, between 1911 and 1969, when …

Visual Preferences For The Development Of A Malaysian Garden Identity, Mina Kaboudarahangi, Osman Mohd Tahir, Mustafa Kamal M.S, Suhardi Maulan

Mina Kaboudarahangi

Malaysia is a developing country that has been experiencing rapid development since its independence in 1957. The country-with its unique natural and cultural heritage-is in need of projecting its own landscape identity through the development of a distinct national garden identity. This paper discusses a study that used Content Identifying Methodology to determine Malaysian public preferences among the iconographies of four selected well-established gardens, with the purpose of determining visual preferences of Malaysians for their own developing gardens. The results of the study found that plants, water, and traditional architectural features imbued with meaning were the preferred elements for a …

Alumni House (Mayhew, Vaughn & Halprin) Historic Structure Report, William Riggs, Frederic Knapp, Steve Finacom, Chris Verplanck

William W. Riggs

Designed by architect Clarence W. Mayhew, with the landscape design by H. Leland Vaughn and Lawrence Halprin, Alumni House was constructed in 1953-54 on the south bank of Strawberry Creek, immediately west of the site of the proposed California Student Center. Described as a “home on the campus,” Alumni House was designed for the use of the California Alumni Association (CAA) as a gathering place for returning University of California alumni, as well as an office building for employees of the CAA. This HSR documents the history, existing conditions, and character defining features of this building and its landscaping, as …

Assessment Of Organic And Inorganic Phosphorus In Soils Derived From Cretaceous Sediments And Basement Complex Soils Of Guinea Savannah Of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, Sunday I. Amhakhian, H H. Isitekhale, Charles I. Oyewole

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

A pot experiment was carried out using 20 surface soils (0-15cm depth) in 2008 to assess soil organic phosphorus and some fraction of inorganic phosphorus in other to know their availability in the soils of the studied area and also work have not been done in this areas in respect to organic and in-organic phosphorus. The experiment was conducted using 20 soils 10 from each geological formation (Cretaceous sediments and Basement complex soils), respectively. The mean organic phosphorus of 63.51 mgkg 1 soil was obtained for Cretaceous sediment soils and 158.54 mgkg 1 soil for the basement complex soils respectively. …

Development Of Functional Indices Of Facility Occurrence Towards The Distribution Of Social Services In Lagos Island Nigeria., Augustus O. Atubi

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Proper coordination of transport and public facilities provision is vital to any balanced regional development strategy. The central aim of this study, therefore, is to find out what the relationship is between access to the transport network and the provision of functional indices of facility occurrence towards the distribution of social services in Lagos Island, Nigeria. In particular it seeks to find out areas that have below or above average level of facility occurrences relative to the level of accessibility. However, a pair wise correlation matrix of the eleven (11) variables employed in the index construction was carried out. The …