Abstract: Many countries and regions are suffering from huge amounts of construction waste, which is a heavy burden on the sustainable urban development. Efficient legal and regulatory measures and effective public policies and guidelines should be established and best waste management practices taken to address the waste problem. This paper critically reviews construction waste management practices in Hong Kong (a special administrative region of China) and draws experience and learns lessons from these practices with an objective to improve future practices in this region and to share some insights on sustainable waste management for other parts of the world.

• Publication Date: 26-Oct-2014
• DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-030-9-33
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Abstract: In the building sector advances are being made using natural green materials for the manufacture of building elements that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Traditionally, in this sector, local materials with low energy cost and low environmental impact were used. In the Mediterranean Countries giant reed was used as a building material until the 1960´s, being replaced afterwards by other modern materials like concrete. Nowadays, in rural areas, inhabited dwellings made with giant reed can still be found. The reeds are used for ceiling, flooring, slabs, false ceilings and walls. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of the giant reed to provide technical data to support the utilization of this green material for sustainable building. The results showed that the giant reed behaves mechanically like a softwood structural timber, having at the same time lower thermal conductivity than wood. Thus it can be used as a sustainable building material.

• Publication Date: 26-Oct-2014
• DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-030-9-34
• Views: 0
• Downloads: 0