Environmental impacts of the Swiss collection and recovery systems for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): a follow-up

While Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collection and recovery have significantly gained in importance all over Europe in the last 15 years, comprehensive studies assessing the environmental loads and benefits of these systems still are not common. In this paper we present the results of a combined material flow analysis and life cycle assessment study, which aimed to calculate the overall environmental impacts of collection, pre-processing and end-processing for the existing Swiss WEEE collection and recovery systems, as well as of incineration and landfilling scenarios, in which the same amount of WEEE is either incinerated in a an MSWI plant or landfilled. According to the calculations based on the material flow data for the year 2009 and a new version of the ecoinvent life cycle inventory database (ecoinvent v2.01), collection, recovery and disposal result in significantly lower environmental impacts per t of WEEE for midpoint indicators such as global warming or ozone depletion and the endpoint indicator Eco-Indicator '99 points. A comparison between the environmental impacts of the WEEE recovery scenarios 2009 and 2004, both calculated with ecoinvent v2.01 data, shows that the impacts per t of WEEE in 2009 were slightly lower. This appears to be mainly due to the changes in the treatment of plastics (more recycling, less incineration). Compared to the overall environmental impacts of the recovery scenario 2004 obtained with an old version of ecoinvent (ecoinvent v1.1), the calculation with ecoinvent v2.01 results in an increase of the impacts by about 20%, which is primarily the consequence of a more adequate modeling of several WEEE fractions (e.g. metals, cables or CRT devices). In view of a further increase of the environmental benefits associated with the Swiss WEEE collection and recovery systems, the recovery of geochemically scarce metals should be further investigated, in particular.     

Developing of appropriate urban housing concepts in developing countries

The Modular Urban Housing Concept for Tanzania, MUHCT, is a practical example of the theoretical model which concentrates on ranges of activities in a logical and systematic way.     

Soft computing for solar radiation potential assessment in Algeria

ABSTRACT

Precise estimation of solar radiation is a highly required parameter for the design and assessment of solar energy applications. Over the past years, many machine learning techniques have been proposed in order to improve the forecasting performance using different input attributes. The aim of this study is the forecasting of one day ahead of horizontal global solar radiation using a set of meteorological and geographical inputs. In this respect, the Gaussian process regression methodology (GPR) and least-square support vector machine (LS-SVM) with different kernels are evaluated in order to select the most appropriate forecasting model. In order to assess the proposed models, the southern Algerian city, Ghardaia regions, was selected for this study. A historical data of five years (2013–2017) of meteorological data collected at Renewable Energies (URAER) in Ghardaia city are used. The achieved results demonstrate that all the proposed models give approximately similar results in terms of statistical indicators. In term of processing time, all the models showed acceptable computational efficiency with less computational costs of the GPR model among all machine learning models.     

Building maintenance in the context of developing countries

This paper reviews literature about building maintenance in developing countries. A search of published sources revealed a disappointingly small and fragmented literature relating mostly to technical and managerial matters. These are presented in the paper under the headings: the effect of climate, design and materials choice, construction and maintenance personnel, managerial systems and financial systems. Few sources cover the economics of building maintenance and none discuss the important aspect of how building maintenance impacts on broader economic and development issues. The paper discusses building maintenance in the context of the six forms of capital usually encompassed in World Bank development projects (human, institutional, cultural, natural, physical, and financial) and as such contributes to the economic analysis of building maintenance. Several areas needing further research are noted.     

A framework for the strategic development of the construction industry in developing countries

The authors explore construction industry problems in developing countries and the approaches that have been successful in Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) and develop a framework for strategic development.     

From intermittent to continuous water distribution: a proposed conceptual approach and a case study of Béni Abbès (Algeria)

Centralised water distribution systems in developing countries currently are operated intermittently to a very large extent. As a consequence of the numerous negative impacts associated with intermittent water distribution, functioning water supplies in the long run absolutely require the introduction of a continuous mode of water distribution. This article presents a conceptual approach to the successive introduction of a continuous water distribution. The approach is based on existing systems originally designed for continuous distribution but currently run in the intermittent mode. The focus is on the difficulties in planning and implementing the complex processes of database organisation, restructuring and changing the mode of operation, which are harmonised in a comprehensive process. The approach is explained for the case of the water distribution system in Béni Abbès, Algeria.     

Measuring practice on the site

Inaccuracies in assembling industrialised components can be traced to wide tolerances in measurement as well as in manufacturing, and CIB and the International Federation of Surveyors have therefore jointly produced a guide to measuring practice on the site. The author served on the joint working group and is a member of CIB working commissions dealing with tolerances and with matters relating to international modular co-ordination.     

Programming model for multiprojects

In developing countries, managers of multiprojects using single-project programming techniques are frustrated by the inadequacy of these techniques to solve their problems. Multiproject programmes should have their own tools and techniques, because, although they stem from a common principle, they are unique. A model to satisfy this need is discussed.     

Understanding differences in construction project governance between developed and developing countries

Whereas most experts recognize the substantial differences in the construction sector between developed and developing countries, very little is known about how and to what extent construction project governance actually differs between the two contexts. In order to shed light on these differences, a suitable definition of project governance must be adopted and identical variables must be assessed in developed and developing contexts. Three characteristics of temporary multi-organizations that conduct construction projects (used here as categories of analysis) help identify these differences: formal structuring, informal structuring, and the role and participation of stakeholders. Based on three case studies, a survey, and semi-directed interviews, significant differences are found in how power and authority are exercised (and leadership styles applied), in the use of informality and in the roles assumed by stakeholders. Although the analysis of such differences is often considered a diagnosis of problems to be ‘fixed’ in projects in developing countries, we believe that these differences should be read as project governance mechanisms of adaptation to different environmental conditions, and therefore key elements that need to be fully understood by professionals working in developing countries.     

发展中国家城市管治研究及其对我国的启发

城市管治是当今国际城市研究的重点课题 ,中国相关的研究刚刚开始。中国属于发展中国家 ,同西方发达国家城市发展相比 ,城市管治可借鉴的东西不多。中国的城市发展有三个独特的平台 :(1)社会主义的市场经济体系 ;(2 ) 5 0 0 0年的中国文化 (集权、儒学、薄弱的公民社会 )传统 ;(3)长期且强有力的城市行政等级体系。主要探索发展中国家城市管治研究内容 ,尤其注重南亚、西非、东非、南非和拉丁美洲城市管治的最新发展 ,以便我国城市管治研究的进一步深入和有效化     

Attitudinal and socio-demographic effects on willingness to pay for water services and actual payment behaviour

Improving revenue collection rates and minimising the levels of ‘bad debts’ is currently a top priority for managers of water utilities in low-income countries. This study used empirical data from a cross-sectional survey of 505 utility customers in eight urban centres in Uganda to show that customer attitude towards prompt payment, perceived ease or difficulty of paying on time (perceived control), as well as social pressure, strongly influence intentions to pay, which in turn directly affects actual prompt bill payment behaviour. The findings also show that gender, income, occupation of the household head and tenure status have statistically significant direct relationships with intentions, but their effects are much smaller compared to the joint influence of attitudes, perceived control and perceived social pressure. Moreover, the effects of gender and occupation are completely mediated by perceived control and social pressure respectively. These results have implications for improving revenue collection through customer-focused initiatives.     

Degrees of destitution: a typology of homelessness in developing countries

There is an ongoing attempt to develop a globally acceptable definition of homelessness. Whether such a definition is broad and inclusive of squatters, and those living in particularly poor quality housing, or narrowly focused on street homelessness, it is likely to include a large population. Therefore, we are left with a need to develop criteria for identifying, allocating and prioritising appropriate support. Drawing on a study of homelessness in nine developing countries, this paper presents a new categorisation or typology of homelessness, based on choice and opportunity. It highlights the way in which homeless people, living in identical shelter situations, and for ostensibly similar reasons, might require different responses to support them out of homelessness. This paper does not seek to debate the definition of homelessness but to stimulate discussion on finding a way to identify and prioritise the needs of those included within any given definition.     

Methodology for the sequence analysis of building stocks

ABSTRACT

A new methodology is presented for analyzing longitudinal building data by considering building histories as sequences of states or events. This allows for the application of sequence analysis methods to any kind of building histories. A demonstration of this methodology is applied to two example datasets from a random sample of a stock of vanished buildings based on the records of a German building insurance company over a period of 56 years. In this sample, the diversity of the distribution of states increases with a slight fall near the end of the time period. Non-residential buildings remain longer in a given state than residential buildings, and private ownership is more stable than other owner types. The survival rate for buildings that undergo a change of their function is less predictable than for those without a change of function. The predictability of the states of buildings without ownership change has a greater variation than that of buildings with owner change. A clustering of building histories into groups of similar patterns can be used to calculate the probability of survival for a given building.     

Role of state and market in housing delivery for low-income groups in India

Despite the importance of housing, it hasgenerally received very low priority in India'spublic policy and investment program, which haschanged frequently since independence in 1947. Although the government has embarked on avariety of innovative housing programs andpolicies, especially for the lower-incomesegments of the population in urban areas, thecoverage of these programs and schemes ismarginal as compared to the overall housingrequirements of the urban population. Aconcerted effort by the public and privatesectors has not been able to keep pace with thegrowing demand for urban housing, especiallythat market segment accessible to the urbanpoor. The most visible manifestations of stateand market failure are the numerousunauthorized housing settlements scattered inand around the large cities of India. Thispaper reviews the role of the state, the marketand non-governmental organizations (NGOs) inthe provision of housing for low-income groups.It is found that formal housing agencies inboth the public and the private sector areneither building fast enough to meet demand norcheaply enough to reach the poor. As aconsequence, an informal sector has emerged inalmost all cities in India.     

发展中国家城市贫困地区居住环境整治初探

如何改善城市贫困地区的居住环境问题是发展中国家共通的紧急课题,涉及到城市化,贫困消减与环境保护等诸多问题.本文结合先进事例的介绍概观了发展中国家城市贫困地区居住环境改善事业的发展动向,指出如何使贫困层实现"自我发展;才是从根本上解决城市贫困地区居住环境问题的关键所在.     

Environmental experts in the motor industry

Hazardous wastes are posing the greatest threat to the environment than ever before. Indiscriminate transfer of technology from the Developed Nations for the production of highly hazardous chemicals can lead to a frequent contamination of the environment with the hazardous wastes. The situation appears to be very serious in many of the Third World Nations, where basic problems of water supply and sanitation still need a solution. Contamination of the ground and surface waters with hazardous materials is likely to increase in the developing countries, owing to lack of suitable monitoring techniques. Location of the industries producing hazardous chemicals in the crowded cities has to be prevented to obviate recurrence of serious catastrophes in future. The situation appears to be equally alarming in the developed countries, where ground and surface waters are at a greater risk of contamination with the hazardous wastes. Co disposal of solid chemical wastes with the municipal solid wastes will result in a greater contamination of the ground and surface waters, with longer lasting environmental effects. Hazardous gaseous spills can have serious environmental effects, particularly if the spills contain radioactive contaminants. The intensity of a hazardous gaseous spill can be greatly enhanced under abnormal meteorological conditions.     

Strategies for Handpump Water Supply Programmes in Less-Developed Countries

ABSTRACT Community water supply programmes in developing countries frequently utilize wells or boreholes equipped with handpumps as the technology of choice. Whilst simple targets concerning numbers of wells to be drilled or villages to be served are often prominent, the wider objectives of such programmes are rarely expressed in quantified terms and, as a consequence, programme impact is often disappointing as well as difficult to evaluate. Because objectives are not clear, programme strategy fails to include all the issues and activities which are necessary to achieve the maximum beneficial impact on participating communities. In the paper, target objectives, checklists of programme activities, and staffing requirements are proposed. The subject of programme impact is briefly discussed, and a realistic approach to programme evaluation is outlined. The paper is intended both as an aid to project planners and as a guide to managers and evaluators of existing well-handpump programmes.     

Livability in dense residential neighbourhoods of Dhaka

Prime cities in developing countries, like Dhaka experience haphazard and intense horizontal densification. The livability of dense neighbourhoods needs to be investigated, particularly, the role of housing and planning in mitigating density problems and capitalizing the advantages of high-density living. This article argues that housing form and planned community facilities giving respect to socio-cultural practices can significantly influence Dhaka’s livability. Also, a wider definition of housing should be adopted to facilitate improvements in livability. As well, an integrated approach of residential planning is important in intensified housing development projects or planning for dense areas, encompassing housing standards, community facilities, public transport, open space provision and socio-cultural habits. This paper recommends the Bangladeshi Government to ensure enforcement of residential plans, to establish density zones in Dhaka’s main urban areas to guide spatial and transport development and neighbourhood facility provision, and to give greater respect for cultural practices in neighbourhood planning.     

Hard rain gonna fall: Strategies for sustainable urban drainage in informal settlements

Inadequate drainage of stormwater, greywater and sewage plagues informal settlement ‘slum’ dwellers throughout the developing world. Residents, local governments and others find drainage solutions hard to come by due both to physical challenges – densely packed shack homes and few roads or open spaces – and social challenges associated with the often contentious, turbulent and legally uncertain nature of informal settlements. While concepts of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) and integrated water resource management (IWRM) hold promise for informal settlements, we find little practical guidance available for their application in these contexts. To begin filling this gap, we propose a simple model for understanding various informal settlement contexts and ‘upgrading’ strategies that affect drainage development strategies. We then use this model to report on a series of small projects in South Africa that illustrate social and structural dynamics and practical techniques relevant to implementing collaborative drainage efforts in informal settlements.