Sustainable Technology is recognized as one of the key players in the environmental pollution and resource depletion globally. UNEP states that it contributes to 39% of the energy related CO2 emissions consumes 36% of the world’s energy; and generates 50% of world waste. At the same time, the construction industry is quite versatile and has a unique opportunity to become more environmentally friendly. By integrating new technologies that can significantly lower its shares and increase the sustainability rates. In this article we will identify some of the aspects with the possible solutions of technology to Turning the construction industry into a sustainable industry.
Automation and Robotics
Another area where technology contributes to a sustainable construction practice is through automation and robotics. Where such activities as dangerous and repetitive motions as well as time-consuming work can be done. By technology instead of targeting the construction human resource. That is, robots can place bricks, weld steels, place insulations or paint walls thus minimizing on incidents, mistakes and wastage.
Obviously, automation and robotics can also enhance the quality and precision of the construction as well as the rate and efficiency of the method. Thus, applying automation and robotics in construction companies will help them minimize the number of employees. Expenditures on energy consumption, and the adverse impact on the environment.
Smart Building Materials
There are several how the utilization of technology can help in increasing sustainability in construction process smart materials structures and components. With one or more of the following abilities – performance, adaptation or energy creation. For instance, windows that are smart can adapt to the levels of transparence or tint to control the intensity of light and heat. That opt to get into a structure with the aim of minimizing on artificial lighting and cooling. They point such benefits as self-healing ability of smart concrete to close its cracks and therefore no water leakage and structural failure.
Smart roofs include the kind of design that allows for collection of rain water, purification of polluted water or generation of power through the tapping of solar energy. Some of the strategically integrated building materials that can make buildings durable, functional and more resilient to various hazards. As well as improve the comfort of the users are:
Data Collection and Analysis
The third is application in data collection and analysis to assess and optimize the efficiency of constructions and construction processes. For instance, sensor, cameras, drones, or GPS devices are capable of providing data relating to position, motion, and status of materials, machines, and people in the construction undertaking. Such data can be processed using soft wares or artificial intelligence or machine learning to give insights, feedback or suggestions. How the construction process can be made more efficient. How wastes can be minimised or eliminated, how safety can be improved or quality of work can be improved and so on. Construction also requires data collection and analysis in terms of the consumption of energy, water and carbon footprint of structures and offer means of minimization.
Circular Economy and Waste Management
A fourth area that technology can enhance sustainability for constructing buildings is by incorporating circular economy. And waste management techniques and strategies in constructing buildings and their life cycle. The circular economy is defined as a model or strategy that seeks to eliminate waste and enhance the utilization of resource. Through designing new products and systems in such ways that are opened to reuse, repair, recycle, and redesign.
That is a course which selects, collects, processes and disposes of waste material in a way that will not harm people or the environment. Here the circular economy and waste management can be supported by the application of the following technologies. For using recycled or biodegradable construction materials, for the recovery and reuse of materials during demolition or at renovation stage. For the minimization of constructions waste production and disposal in landfills.
Green Certification and Standards
The fifth approach indicates that technology can provide backing of green certification and standards for construction and buildings projects. Green certification and standards are policies that are either prescribed as optional or compulsory that provide the benchmarks for assessing. And rating the environmental as well as the social and economic efficiency of the structures and constructions.
Technology can support achieving certifications and standards through the promotion of tools and methods that evaluate, confirm, and record. The sustainability features of structures and construction operations like energy use, water, air quality indoors, and carbon emissions. Technology on the other hand can also be used to create awareness. And increase the recognition of green certification and standards among the stakeholders and the public.
Education and Training
The following is the sixth way through which technology can contribute to sustainable construction. In the training and education of construction workforce and the society in general. To facilitate efficiency in the use of sustainable construction practices and solutions, education. And training for the implementation and sustenance of the whole portfolio is crucial. You can also read about How VR and AR Will Enhance Learning and Teaching Online learning platforms, social media, and other trends allow expanding the education and training of the construction workforce.
And the society in general by enriching such tools as distance learning, webinars, podcasts. Or videos in the focus areas and issues related to sustainable construction. Technology can also include multimedia learning along with the use of simulations, virtual or augmented real worlds. That makes the learning experience of the learner more engaging and thus helps in bringing improvements in the learning process of the learners.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that technology can rise up to challenge and help make the construction industry greener and friendlier for the environment. Employment of automation and robotics, smart building materials. And data collection and analysis, construction companies can use the earth’s resources efficiently increase the operation efficiency. And productivity and produce efficient, durable, and resilient buildings. There is also the issue of green buildings which technology can assist construction business to embrace in an endeavor to meet the over increasing demand in the market.
Since embracing green building profits both the owner and the user in economic, social and environmental aspects. Applying the set of technological solutions that are presented below, the construction industry will finally become more sustainable. Thus becoming capable to contribute to climate change combating on the international level and achieving the concept of sustainable development.
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