Page 23 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 2

Elif Özlem Aydın

3. The Effect of Constructions in Residential Areas on the Environment

One of the most important factors that affect ecological balance in the
world is the level of construction. According to the observations made 20
years ago, around half of the total energy consumed in the world is consumed
by buildings. 42% of the water is consumed during the construction and use
of the buildings. 25% of the world forests are used in construction sector.
24% of air pollution is caused by activities related to buildings (Eryıldız, 2003).
Today, increased pace of construction has a significant share and part in the
emergence of environmental issues. This is because buildings have certain
negative effects on the environment during their construction and use. It
should be the main goal of environmentally responsible building activities to
produce solutions towards preserving nature such as information generation,
use and maintenance models. With this approach, through the efforts to
provide solutions during construction processes, a lot of criteria emerged.
Known in literature as Sustainable Construction Criteria, Ecologic
Construction Criteria, Green Design Criteria and Sustainable Design Criteria,
the goal of these criteria is to develop designs that show sensitivity towards
environmental issues, do not damage environment, nor disrupt the balance
of ecology. These designs should also take human health indoors into
consideration and provide the necessary conditions for comfort, while doing
so, using energy efficiently (Esin, Coşgun and Aydın, 2007).
Constructions have a negative effect on environmental values throughout
their life cycles. Construction life cycle: It comprises the stages of transportation
of construction materials, construction, use, and demolition (Figure 2). Since all
stages involve the production of a certain level of raw material, consumption
of energy and creation of waste, environmental effects emerge, and as a
result, there is a fall in energy and raw materials, leading to pollutions (Esin,
Coşgun and Aydın, 2007).

Figure 2: Diagram of Construction Life Cycle (Esin et al, 2007).

9 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate