SummaryBy 'working with the willing', the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) has successfully facilitated industrial symbiosis throughout the UK and, in the process, delivered significant economic and environmental benefits for both Programme members and the country as a whole. One of the keys to NISP's success is that, unlike failed attempts to plan and construct eco-industrial systems from scratch, the Programme works largely with existing companies who have already settled in, developed, and successfully operate within a given locale. This article argues that existing and mature industrial systems provide the best prospects for identifying opportunities for, and ultimately facilitating, industrial symbiosis.Due to levels of diversification and operational fundamental niches that, in the fullness of time, develop within all industrial systems, industrially mature areas are deemed to be industrial symbiosis 'conducive environments'. Building on the conservation biology concept of a habitat suitability index, the article presents a methodology for comparing a potential site for eco-industrial development, to a known baseline industrial 'habitat' already identified as being highly conducive to industrial symbiosis. The suitability index methodology is further developed and applied to a multi-criteria-evaluation geographic information system to produce a 'habitat' suitability map that allows practitioners to quickly identify potential industrial symbiosis hotspots (the methodology is illustrated for England).The article concludes by providing options for the development of symbiosis suitability indices and how they can be used to support the facilitation of industrial symbiosis and regional resource efficiency.
A geographic information system (GIS) is a relatively new software tool for geotechnical engineers. Its capabilities range from conventional data storage to complex spatial analysis and graphical presentation. This paper demonstrates the potential for a GIS to become a powerful, but routine, office tool. It highlights the importance of the geotechnical engineer in both the development and application of the technology. The impact of a GIS within a geotechnical design office is discussed with reference to a number of case histories. These include an archaeological survey, a landscaping assessment, a contaminated land remediation and a construction planning project. Successful application of the technology required a combination of geotechnical knowledge and the GIS-based skills. This was achieved, in practice, by training the geotechnical engineers to be proficient in using the software as well as understanding the GIS concepts. In terms of technical and financial performance, the multi-tasking functionality of the GIS was found to be well-suited to projects in which large quantities of data were analysed. The GIS enabled automation of repetitive and search procedures and quickly became the tool of choice. The GIS opened up opportunities for viewing and analysing data and enhanced the capabilities of the project engineer.
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