ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Ecological design & engineering for urban environments

Abstract

GARLAND: We at Industrial Biotechnology are interested in exploring a broad range of biobased industries, and in this Roundtable Discussion bring together leaders in the field of what we're calling "on-site biotechnological applications." This would be distinct from other kinds of green building applications that might involve biotechnology such as offsite production of biobased materials.What we'd like to talk about today is the application of systems that involve microorganisms, plants, animals, or combinations thereof for a specific purpose within, or perhaps on, the building. This is an expansion of what people have done for a long time with onsite treatment of wastewater using septic tanks and drain fields. But there have been many developments in the field of on-site wastewater treatment. Advanced systems (ranging from multiple trophic-level ecosystems, to small-footprint membrane bioreactors, an example of the latter being the Zenon technology that GE has commercialized) are becoming increasingly common for treatment and recycling of water onsite.In addition, there have been developments in the use of ecological systems on site beyond wastewater treatment. Some of our panel members today are involved with systems that treat air inside buildings, or that provide multiple benefits, as is the case with green roofs.

Achieving sustainable development goals through the study of urban heat island changes and its effective factors using spatio‐temporal techniques: The case study (Tehran city)

“…Perhaps, urban heat island is considered the most obvious example of the human impact on climate on a local and regional scale. Whenever the landscape is replaced by buildings, roads, and other features of urbanization, environmental degradation occurs (Braungart et al, 2008; Rezaeei Rad & Rafieyan, 2017). Research of these processes can be useful and significant in terms of describing the characteristics of TM (Tehran metropolis) and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which must be fulfilled by all developed and developing countries in a global partnership.…”

Ecosystem Services Analysis for the Design of Regenerative Urban Built Environments

“…This results in productivity up to 200 times higher than if traditional feeds were used (Braungart et al, 2008). Samphire (a name given to several species of edible coastal growing plants) and sea lavender (Limonium genus) thrive in the conditions and are grown in the shrimp waste in cases suspended above the basins.…”