Even though the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment is still controversial, the huge water and electricity consumption of buildings are two very important commodities for those living in the urban areas continuously experiencing growth, especially American Southwest.

USGBC data shares that green buildings divert less waste to our landfills, require fewer raw materials, and use 36% less energy. In addition, the “increased” cost of a green building is only 1-2% more expensive than a conventional building. This little difference is nothing compared to the long-term and tangible benefits of a sustainable design, especially due to the fact that green buildings conserve electricity and water.

Green Building – a broad term used to describe the construction and design of environmentally conscious and sustainable buildings. The driving force behind this trend is to make the buildings that we work and live in healthier and safer for us. At the same time, we also want to lower the negative impact that buildings bring to our environment.

According to USGBC (United States Green Building Council) statistics, buildings are responsible for the following:
• Water consumption – 15 trillion gallons
• Electricity consumption – 70% of U.S. total consumption
• (CO2) Carbon Dioxide Emissions – 39% of U.S. emissions

With our shrinking landfills, aging electrical and water infrastructure, and population expansion, constructing and designing sustainable and green buildings make practical sense.

By: CocoAppleStore

The Philippines under the Arroyo government continues to commit numerous human rights violations like forced evictions of squatters and the destruction of their houses. This was the statement released by the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions based in Geneva, Switzerland and is an independent human rights organization that advocates equal housing rights for the poor and the prevention of forced evictions, whether sanctioned by the government or private groups.

COHRE, together with the Urban Poor Associates and a group of international housing experts from Cambodia, Indonesia, Australia and South Africa paid a visit to residents at the Southville relocation site in Cabuyao, Laguna last Holy Week as well as the families along the canals and railroad tracks in Manila. But the government quickly rebuffed the statement but COHRE remains unfazed and is standing by its findings that reveal that more than 29,000 families have already been forced out from their homes in Metro Manila and the province of Bulacan since 2005 due to the North Rail-South Rail Linkage Project. Another 914 families living under the waterways have also been forced out by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) since February with an additional 500 families facing eviction in the next round.

Since the Bronze Age, it was protected from enemy attacks by its ramparts. Excavations in the area showed the existence of such walls. During the Roman era was when the city experienced considerable development. The most important expansion of the city began during the Arab-Islamic conquest.

Urban construction was concentrated in these areas to respond to the growing problem. The role of urban construction in this problem is to ensure that there will be sustainable growth in the area despite the projection that the current trend will continue for the next two decades. Careful planning and development of these areas may be a key in saving its future.