Building Sustainable Futures ― Design and the Built Environment

This book presents state-of-the-art research and case studies on new approaches to the design, construction and planning of our cities. Emphasis is placed on the role of alternative and renewable energy in the development of urban infrastructures that enable sustainable futures. Reflecting the multi-faceted efforts required to successfully meet sustainability challenges, this book is a collaboration between practitioners and academics across a broad spectrum of specializations. Compelling research findings are explained in the context of practical implementation, enhanced by case studies from industry leaders in order to create a pragmatic reference across policy areas where environmentally aware decision making is required.

Dr. Jon Price is Chief Executive of the multi-disciplinary Centre for Low Carbon Futures in UK, joined on the board by the Vice Chancellors of five research-intensive UK universities. Focusing on enabling greater international impact of University-led research in food, energy and water security, the Centre develops science and technology innovations supporting low carbon and resource efficient economies in Asia, EU and Latin America. Professor Price has initiated a number of major technology projects, from CCS demonstrators to improved breeding of crops, energy storage and water management and has commissioned over 50 reports covering a broad spectrum of science, engineering and policy. He has chaired a number of events at Earth Summit and UNFCCC negotiations and acts as an expert advisor to international governments and MDB's in EU, ASIA and LAC. Dr. Price is also the Chair of the Leeds Sustainability Institute focusing on building forensics and optimising energy performance, a member of the Steering Group of a Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Leeds and a Commissioner for Future Cities. He is based at the University of York, UK and the University of Birmingham, UK.

Dr. Ian Strange is Professor of Spatial Policy and Head of Centre for Urban Development and Environmental Management (CUDEM). His research experience and expertise lies within the areas of urban governance and art, cultural and heritage policy. Professor Strange’s research work includes contracts for the ESRC, European Commission, UK Government departments, cultural and arts organizations and various local and regional authorities. His participation in EPSRC/ESRC research cluster on values in the historic environment, and his extensive work on European spatial development policy through the European Spatial Planning and Observation Network (ESPON) projects.

Dr. Mohammad Dastbaz is Dean of Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology and Professor of Informatics at Leeds Metropolitan University. Professor Dastbaz’s research work over recent years has been focused on the use and impact of emerging technologies in society, particularly learning, training and the development of “eGovernment.” Dr. Dastbaz has led EU and UK based funded research projects and has been the Symposium Chair of Multimedia Systems in IEEE’s Information Visualisation (IV) conference since 2002. He has over 50 refereed publications, including numerous journal paper articles, conference papers, book chapters and books on e-learning, eGovernment and the design and development of Multimedia Systems. Professor Dastbaz is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and UK’s Higher Education Academy as well as the professional member of ACM and IEEE’s computer society.