|
|
ECO-TOWN PROJECTS
Decisive steps are being taken worldwide in the development of sustainable projects. European countries in particular stand out with projects aimed at developing eco-towns. This issue is beginning to draw attention as an area of public interest in Turkey as well. SUSTAINABLE HEAT SOURCES IN PARIS Paris is going through an alternative energy conversion. For some time now, the limits of wind power have been tested through hydrometer turbines placed in the River Seine and solar energy systems have been used in public toilets. Currently, engineers are trying to use treated waste water in the sewage systems to heat a school. Last year, a village near Paris began using heat obtained from waste water to heat swimming pools. The Wattingnies School in the 12th district of Paris is using a heat pump and a 60 meter exchanger for the related works. Efforts are underway to recycle the energy used in dishwashers, washing machines, bathrooms and toilets. Plans in place reveal that 70% of the heating requirements in the school will be met with the new system and 76.3 tons less carbon dioxide will be emitted. There is no resulting smell nor the need for a chemical burning treatment, as the heat will be obtained only by treating the sewage water. It is an excellent method not only for saving energy but for saving money as well. CLIMATE EFFICIENT URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN NORWAY A Norwegian firm, A-lab, has won the “climate efficient urban development” themed international competition for new ideas for the Furuset region in Oslo. The project developed by the firm is expected to serve as a model of “sustainable urban development” for the area. The most significant part of the project is the goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 along with the construction of 2,500 houses and 1,500 new business areas. The project involves the positioning of a green area as a structural part between the two highways in addition to ecologically designed buildings, providing a perfect open space between the two highways. GREEN PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN TURKEY With the submission of a project to State Planning Organization, the Turkish Ministry of Public Works has taken a step towards transforming 100 public buildings into energy efficient premises. As part of the project, 100 public buildings will be selected initially amongst 250 applications, including buildings with different functions such as offices, hospitals and student dormitories. Calculations will be made to determine the existing energy efficiency classifications of these buildings. Findings will be put into the Geographical Information System and the process will be recorded. This will allow the current emissions and those achieved after the buildings become energy efficient to be monitored through this infrastructure. The process will also involve determining the amount of investment required to transfer the buildings into energy efficient ones as well as the time needed to recover the cost through the savings achieved. Following the works, which will involve a total estimated process of 3 years, including the 2 year project and one year construction periods, the number of targeted public buildings will be raised to 1,000 at the second stage. For the conversion of 1,000 public buildings, external financing will be procured, backed by a Treasury guarantee. 
|
Index
 TAGS:
|
| sustainable-development |