%0 Journal Article
	%A Charles Mbohwa and  Alexander Mudiwakure
	%D 2013
	%J International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering
	%B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
	%I Open Science Index 76, 2013
	%T Sustainable and Ecological Designs of the Built Environment
	%U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/826
	%V 76
	%X This paper reviews designs of the built environment
from a sustainability perspective, emphasizing their importance in
achieving ecological and sustainable economic objectives. The built
environment has traditionally resulted in loss of biodiversity,
extinction of some species, climate change, excessive water use, land
degradation, space depletion, waste accumulation, energy
consumption and environmental pollution. Materials used like
plastics, metals, bricks, concrete, cement, natural aggregates, glass
and plaster have wreaked havoc on the earth´s resources, since they
have high levels of embodied energy hence not sustainable.
Additional resources are consumed during use and disposal phases.
Proposed designs for sustainability solutions include: ecological
sanitation and eco-efficiency systems that ensure social, economic,
environmental and technical sustainability. Renewable materials and
energy systems, passive cooling and heating systems and material
and energy reduction, reuse and recycling can improve the sector.
These ideas are intended to inform the field of ecological design of
the built environment.
	%P 314 - 321