For decades, large dam projects have been undertaken by both nations and international agencies with the aim of doing good: preventing floods, bringing electricity to rural populations, producing revenues for poor countries, and more. But time after time, the social, economic, and environmental costs have outweighed the benefits of the dams, sometimes to a disastrous degree. In this volume, a diverse group of experts-involved for years with the Nam Theun 2 dam in Laos-issue an urgent call for critical reassessment of the approach to, and rationale for, these kinds of large infrastructure projects in developing countries. In the 2000s, as the World Bank was reeling from revelations of past hydropower failures, it nonetheless promoted the enormous Nam Theun 2 project. NT2, the Bank believed, offered a new, wiser model of dam development that would alleviate poverty, protect the environment, engage locally affected people in a transparent fashion, and stimulate political transformation. This was a tall order. For the first time, this book shows in detail why, despite assertions of success from the World Bank and other agencies involved in the project, the dam's true story has been one of substantial loss for affected villagers and the regional environment. Nam Theun 2 is an important case study that illustrates much broader problems of global development policy.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are some of the most discussed materials of the last decade. Their extraordinary porosity and functionality from metals and organic linkers make them one of the most promising materials for a vast array of applications. The easy tunability of their pore size and shape from the micro- to meso-scale by changing the connectivity of the inorganic moiety and the nature of the organic linkers makes these materials special. Moreover, by combining with other suitable materials, the properties of MOFs can be improved further for enhanced functionality/stability, ease of preparation, and selectivity of operation. Emerging Applications and Implementations of Metal-Organic Frameworks combines the latest empirical research findings with relevant theoretical frameworks in this area in order to improve the reader's understanding of MOFs and their different applications in areas that include drug delivery, heavy metal removal from water, and gas storage. The design and synthesis of MOFs are also investigated along with the preparation of composites of MOFs. While covering applications that include water defluoridation, rechargeable batteries, and pharmaceutically adapted drug delivery systems, the book's target audience is comprised of professionals, researchers, academicians, and students working in the field of physical and polymer chemistry, physics, engineering science, and environmental science.

Recently, a new digital twin consortium has been established that aims to deploy digital twin technology in new markets as well as in the development of smart cities. Designing smart cities, smart communities, and smart ecosystems powered by optimal digital twin deployments is a vision that currently only futurists can entertain and requires some time to reach large-scale adoption. However, it is incumbent upon us as a society to educate and train future generations on how to leverage digital twin technologies in order to optimize our daily lives as well as increase our efficiency, productivity, and safety. Impact of Digital Twins in Smart Cities Development provides insights regarding the global landscape for current digital twin research and deployments and highlights some of the challenges and opportunities faced during large-scale adoptions. Critical domains such as ethics, data governance, cybersecurity, inclusion, diversity, and sustainability are also addressed and considered. Covering topics such as digital identity and digital economics, this reference work is ideal for urban planners, engineers, policymakers, industry leaders, scientists, economists, academicians, practitioners, researchers, instructors, and students.

A comprehensive approach to design that integrates sustainable principles and design strategies for decarbonized construction Representing an international collaboration between academics and architects in the United States and Europe, Carbon: A Field Manual for Designers and Builders offers professionals in the field an approach to sustainable design that embraces building science principles, life-cycle analysis, and design strategies in carbon neutral construction. The book also contains background information on carbon in construction materials and in the building design process. This book is filled with illustrative diagrams and drawings that help evaluate the potential impact of design decisions for creating carbon emissions. Written by and for designers and builders, the book includes a compelling pair of case studies that explore carbon-reducing strategies, suggests steps for assessing a building's carbon footprint, and reviews carbon storages and circulation of materials. The guidelines detailed in the book can be adopted, replicated, and deployed to reduce carbon emissions and create more sustainable buildings. This important book: Offers an effective approach to sustainable design in construction Integrates building science principles, life-cycle analysis, and design strategies in carbon neutral construction Describes a methodology for quantifying the flow of carbon in the built environment Provides an analysis of carbon-reducing strategies based on a case study of a building designed by the authors Written for practicing professionals in architecture and construction, Carbon: A Field Guide for Designers and Builders is a must-have resource for professionals who are dedicated to creating sustainable projects.

As the global population continues to increase, it has become necessary to find ways to handle this increase through various policy tools that address population growth and urbanization problems. The urbanization process has both potential issues and opportunities that need to be exploited to move societies forward. Megacities and Rapid Urbanization: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice examines trends, challenges, issues, and strategies related to population growth and rapid urbanization and its impact on urban environments. The book also explores the use of different governance approaches in addressing challenges and different tools and systems of appropriate allocation to address issues. This publication is an ideal reference source for academicians, students, practitioners, professionals, managers, urban planners, and government officials.

While the construction process still requires traditional skills, the dynamic nature of construction demands of its managers improved understanding of modern business, production and contractual practices. This well established, core undergraduate textbook reflects current best practice in the management of construction projects, with particular emphasis given to supply chains and networks, value and risk management, BIM, ICT, project arrangements, corporate social responsibility, training, health and welfare and environmental sustainability. The overall themes for the Eighth Edition Modern Construction Management are: Drivers for efficiency: lean construction underpinning production management and off-site production methods. Sustainability: reflecting the transition to a low carbon economy. Corporate Social Responsibility: embracing health & safety and employment issues. Modern contractual systems driving effective procurement Building Information Modelling directed towards the improvement of collaboration in construction management systems

The Silk Road of the 21st Century, announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, will certainly change the world. It will definitely stimulate economic growth and prosperity in China, the rest of Asia and elsewhere. But how can we prevent the environmental damage and the increasing inequality on a planetary scale brought about by the construction of this "road" - or in reality: a network of highways, railways, sea routes and other connections? This book deals with the question for the Maritime branch of the new Silk Road and discusses relevant strategies and technologies for sustainable and responsible port innovation and development. The backbone of the study is formed by a number of case studies of port projects in and outside of China. Some chapters focus on best practices, while others discuss new academic viewpoints, but in all cases, suggestions for improvement are given. Based on the idea that a large investment agenda also creates moral responsibility, the Chinese cases also serve to ascertain whether and to what extent they can serve as an example for projects elsewhere. A few introductory and thematic chapters and the conclusion give steering and sense to the rest of the book. Ultimately, this title gives a first and coherent analysis and assessment of a project that is unparalleled in the world and that constitutes an important determining factor for our future.

Resources designed to support learners of the new next generation BTEC First in Construction and the Built Environment specification*. Covers four core units and a wide selection of optional units. Language is consistent and content written with the level 2 learner in mind. Units are professionally presented in topics so they are easy to dip in and out of and refer to during lessons. In-depth coverage of the science and mathematics unit. Clear illustrations, worked examples and practice tests give learners the opportunity to properly grasp the subject matter. Activities provide additional ideas for lessons and make great homework tasks. Working life case-studies are based on real people to give learners a real insight into the construction industry and the opportunities that are available. Assessment Zone guides learners through internal and external assessment, with practice questions to help them achieve their potential. * From 2012, Pearson's BTEC First qualifications have been under re-development, so schools and colleges could be teaching the existing 2010 specification or the new next generation 2012-2013 specification. There are different Student Books to support each specification. If learners are unsure, they should check with their teacher or tutor.

Effective 6 April 2013. This edition reduces the range of electrical installation work that is notifiable. In addition, installers who are not registered competent persons can now use a competent person to certify work as an alternative to using building control. The technical guidance throughout now refers to BS7671:2008 incorporating Amendment No 1:2011. This Approved Document has a fresh new look and has been totally re-designed into a single column format to make reading. It has also been subject to a thorough editorial review to make the text/content more reader-friendly and simpler to assimilate and understand. Contracts and Management Publications Update Service: To ensure that you have the most up-to-date Approved Document or Amendment to an Approved Document to hand, you can now join our CAMPUS service. RIBA Bookshops will automatically send you copies of new releases as and when they are published. Visit our CAMPUS page for further details.