Showing papers on "Built environment published in 1980"

Task force report: sociophysical settings and mental health: opportunities for mental health services planning.

Abstract: President Kennedy's “bold new approach” remains compelling 15 years after it was first announced. Mental health services at the community level have come a long way since the community mental health center program's establishment in 1963. Mental health manpower, advances in treatment technology, and volumes of service all have grown remarkably; but much still remains to be done to integrate community mental health services into the communities they serve in the planning of human services generally, and particularly in emphasis on preventive care. The National Council of Community Mental Health Centers Environmental Assessment Task Force has two closely related charges in these latter areas. First, to inquire into the “environmental” aspects of mental health at the community level; and, second, to explore environmental perspectives for the establishment of prevention initiatives in the delivery of services. This paper explores that charge by seeking a perspective on environment that traces the intersection of the built environment and social-interpersonal behavior with special attention to the implications for mental well-being. Implications of this perspective for community mental health center roles in community planning are considered, with reference to the establishment of preventive services.

Design of built environment to minimize its energy demand (pedestrian oriented layout for the energy conservation)

Abstract: The World must re-evaluate its attitude toward the design of the “built environment”, specially with regard to new housing projects. Distances must be reduced in order to minimize vehicular consumption of fuel, and also to reduce distances (and costs) required in connection with the construction of underground utilities. From an urban planning view point, a serious attempt must now be made to redirect urban planning policies, from car oriented layouts to those that are pedestrian oriented. A case study will be introduced to show how proper design can reduce energy consumption. The following are some of the design elements which can contribute to energy saving. 1. - Reduction in circulation distances between urban points 2. - Increasing population densities 3. - Reducing lot widths (control urban sprawl) 4. - Improving land utilization of the built environment 5. - Providing adequate urban mass-transportation With proper allocation of resources, up to 50% of total fuel consumption by automobiles can be realized if the foregong elements are implemented. Two contrasted layouts will be compared to reinforce this thesis.

A theoretical framework for incorporating ecological considerations in the design and planning of the built environment

Abstract: In an contemporary discussion on the undersirable effects of architecture upon the natural landscape, our attention often centers around a speculated form of architecture which we tend to describe tentatively as an 'ecological architecture' or as one that is totally benign in its relations with nature. We might ask what is an ecological architecture? The dissertation sets out to define these terms and to develop a theoretical framework for design. Our research objectives are as follows 1. Our initial objectives. are to derive a set of fundamental premises • . The intention is to provide ourselves with a context with "which a concept of ecological architect, can L.J based. Because of the conflicting opinions that exist on the subject matter, only by agreeing upon a common set of fundamental premises can a concerted approach be possible. (This is examined in Chapters 2 and 3). 2. Secondly, our objectives are to derive a framework for approaching design. This should not only cohesively unify all the pertinent ang.' related areas of study, but also provide the designer with a firm theoretical standpoint from "Which to approach the design of the built environment. Such a framework should be able to be used to analyse the impact that a proposed design might have before it is built. (The framework is described in detail in Chapter 4). Each of the framework' s structural components is discussed and examined in greater detail in Chapters 5 to 8. In Chapter 9 is our conclusion and discussion on the theoretical implications of our research work as a whole and what it might mean in design implementation. Included is an Appendix which contains a review of literature Literature is derived from a number of sources that we have found to be pertinent to this area of research. It is howeverr not exhaustive nor can it be exhaustive since the sources are diverse. The appendix serves as an indicator of the sources of literature for further development of this study.

Ecosystem concept in residential land use and building projects

Abstract: Ecological and moral principles together should provide the conceptual framework of development everywhere in the world. Systems control based on the ecological principle of homeostasis, or overshoot resulting in systems collapse are the only two long-term alternatives in an ecological sense. Though energy is not a limiting factor of environmental development, the key principle of environmental control resides in the wise use of available energy, which can be transformed into any desirable forms, and which can also be most detrimental to any forms of life or other elements of the human ecosystem. The incoming solar energy is more than sufficient for satisfying our domestic, commercial, and industrial needs. Solar collectors, energy storage systems, solar greenhouses, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, alcohol fuel plants, and wind generators can make built environment more self-sufficient and thus more healthy. Though achieving absolute self-sufficiency in each built or modified ecosystem is impossible, establishing a strategy of self-sufficiency is not only possible but it is absolutely essential in all environmental systems of our transnational human family.

The energy performance of new zealand's built environment

Abstract: An indication is given of New Zealand's response to the energy problems of the early ‘70s, in particular the lack of basic data on energy use in the built environment. An outline is presented of the results of the major field studies and comparisons made with some North American work. The paper concludes with a brief description of the direction of future research in this area.

Action Research in the Built Environment

Abstract: Publisher Summary Behavioral scientists have demonstrated a concern about the social and psychological impact of the built environment A number of research studies concerned with the quality of life in student residential environments have reported less living satisfaction and social cohesion in high-rise megadorms in contrast to low-rise dormitory settings Although behavioral scientists have begun to investigate the relationship between physical environment and behavior, the field of environmental psychology has grown rapidly Environmental psychology is characterized by a social problems orientation, an assumption of a systematic interrelationship between the built environment and human behavior, and a multidisciplinary perspective The interest of environmental psychologists has involved a functionally based analysis of the performance of architectural settings An important body of environmental research in psychiatric hospital settings has demonstrated that many of the features of traditional psychiatric hospital design are anti-therapeutic In residential contexts, environmental research has indicated that high-rise housing in inner-city and campus contexts is associated with deleterious social consequences