Introduction
The environment is an important part of every human being. This is because it is what informs the quality of life that one leads. In essence, quality is defined by the environment or the surroundings that one has (Abraham 2006). Thus, maintaining a quality environment is usually on top of the agenda when it comes to establishing the kind of area that one is living in. We live in a society that seeks to ensure that development is achieved in all things.
It is worth noting that most of development projects within the society emanate from the construction which takes place within the society. In this case the buildings which are put up need to meet certain standards which are in line with the expectations of environmental sustainability as well as ensure that the quality of the building is in accordance with the stated regulations. It therefore follows that achieving sustainability is the role of the engineers (Jonker & Jan 2012).
Purpose of the report
The purpose of this report is to establish the main considerations which need to be put in mind when designing buildings. It brings to the fore the importance of engineering which is based on strategy as well as technology based on progress (Jonker & Jan 2012).
Preview of the themes
The main themes in this report evaluate the impact of the engineering projects on the environment.
In addition, this report seeks to evaluate some of the strategies which need to be put in place in order to ensure that the negative impacts of the future engineering projects are mitigated (Abraham 2006). This will be achieved through ensuring that some of the major objectives are realized.
These objectives include working towards ensuring that the maintenance of the options which are available meet a given criteria that is in tandem with the critical threats and objectives, secondly, identifying the critical threats with the intention of avoiding the threats to sustainability and lastly, being in a position of coming up with long term strategies which will work towards safeguarding the interests of the people as well as ensuring that the long term projects are beneficial to all the parties who are available (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). Background: The goals The goal of any society is to ensure that there is both growth and survival.
In order to achieve this, there is need to ensure that the projects and approaches which are put in place are sustainable and progressive. To achieve this goal, institutions and societies work towards creating more value than they consume. This is characterized by being innovative and creative amidst trying and tough times (Jonker & Jan 2012). The goal of the environment is to survive and prosper.
In order to achieve this sustainable environment and ecosystem needs to be put in place. Essentially, this goal can only be achieved if people cannot stop or reduce extracting heavy metals, and establishing buildings and constructions which are depleting the earth’s very resources (Jonker & Jan 2012).
The degradation which has been taking place in the environment due to inadequate engineering strategies has led to the wasting away of vital aspects of the society. Thus, a framework which is defined by the right strategies needs to be put in place. This is because, without such frameworks, the future of the projects will be put into jeopardy.
Furthermore, if these frameworks are not put in place, the chances of having sustainable projects and buildings in the future will not be guaranteed (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). Time is another important aspect when it comes to sustainable projects and buildings. This is because, projects are established based on time frames in which they will operate.
There is need to establish the positive and the negative effects of a given project within a given time frame (Abraham 2006). This will enable the engineers to be in a better position of establishing what aspects need to be given priority and which need tom be ignored. Consequently, the results which shall be attained will be in line with the objectives which will be worked towards (Wheeler & Beatley 2004).
Scope of the challenge of sustainability
Owing to the nature of the problems which are faced by the engineers, most of them will tend to work based on the opportunities which arise. This poses challenges to the nature of the sustainability of the work which shall be realized. Based on this, the nature of progress depends on the ability to address what has been happening in the past.
For instance, in developed countries, the effects of previous projects should be analyzed in light of the future anticipated projects. Through such ventures, the sustainability and the suitability of the buildings and nay projects will be realized (Jonker & Jan 2012).
Suitability of any project should be evaluated against the information and data which has been collected from other parties. In this case, engineers should work closely in consultation with other immediate stakeholders such as planners in order to be in a better position to provide and generate solutions to the prevailing circumstances.
Through this, effective solutions will be realized with regard to the problems which are prevailing in light of the challenges (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). The role of education One may ask, what role does education play in all these? Essentially, education forms a large portion of the process.
This is because education provides the thinking perspectives which are informed by the philosophy which informs the output or the products of an education system (Wheeler & Beatley 2004). In as much as we may seek to establish much better projects which are sustainable, it is equally worth mentioning the fact that the system of education has not really played sufficient or adequate role in addressing these issues.
Furthermore, the philosophy which was used in the previous society is the same philosophy which is still in use today. Therefore, the chances of having a changed approach to the issues which are affecting the society are almost brought to nil. In the current age, it is therefore important to integrate new versions of approaches with the better teaching and learning approaches.
Furthermore, the engineering curriculum should be able to provide a platform which will or can harmonize the traditional techniques of solving designs as well as the current trends. Through this, engineers will be more receptive when it comes to accepting criticisms of technology regarding the sustainability and suitability of projects within a given scope of time (Jonker & Jan 2012).
Conclusion
In conclusion, sustainability is an issue which needs to be addressed in every circle of development. This is because it informs the approaches which should be taken when working on a project. However, despite the importance of the subject, little has been achieved especially in light of the curriculum which is followed by the engineering students.
Thus, there is need to interrogate the best approaches that are bound to reinvigorate the engineering approaches and enhance creativity which will work towards solving some of the technological problems which are being faced. In this regard, technology will be able to provide solutions which will ensure that the problems which are presently being faced do not recur in the future
Reference
List Abraham, MA 2006, Sustainability science and engineering:defining principles, illustrated edn, Elsevier, New York.
Jonker, G & Jan, H 2012, Engineering for Sustainability:A Practical Guide for Sustainable Design, Elsevier, New York.
Wheeler, SM & Beatley, T 2004, The sustainable urban development reader, Routledge, New York.