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Are We Sustainable? (In Turkey context)

2014

TOPICS: 1- Introduction, 2- Definition of Sustainability in Relation to Construction and Its Importance, 3-Context of Turkey, 4-Sustainable Construction and Its’ Principles, 5-Good and Bad Examples, 6-Conclusion

1-Introduction

 

As National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (NASA, 2013) states that global climate change has already reached the highest and lowest levels in Arctic sea ice, sea level, carbon dioxide, global temperature and land ice by 21th century.(Figure 1) These statistics have never been yet monitored by anyone throughout the human life span. Professor Mackay (in Atkinson, Yates and Wyatt, 2009,p24) agrees that the way in which to find solutions to the problems of climate change and says, ‘’numbers-not adjectives’’ and must be demonstrable with proof, not by community associations’ activities. On the other hand, humankind has never been more powerful in former,  to be able to hazard our planet dramatically; for instance “pollution, oil and gas utilization, deforestation, infrastructure and water scarcity” are only a few of the ecological threats identified by the World Wide Fund (WWF) (WWF, 2013) that are caused by human beings. 

  As a result of climate – related disaster, in an average year 250 million people die because of starvation, lack of urgent medical care or having no home after a disaster, which is five times larger than 1980 records (Dunster, Simmons and Gilbert, 2008, p17).

  Another research report from Cornell University, water, air and soil pollution are the cause of, on average 40 percent  of deaths worldwide (Lang, 2007).

 

  Human beings have been inducing  threats whether in large or small amount and according to Dunster, Simmons and Gilbert (2008, p2) the global economy rather than outdated growing, the current market-centred economy will require a fresh liberality of responsible courage for an equal and collaborative oriented world. Otherwise, while we are struggling for having essentials that dictate every stage of our lifes between our liberty to define ourselves and  government prior expenses, the global civilization will be in failure.

At this point, sustainable management is required and can underpin almost all solutions. Since “sustainable management” is a major element of the capability to remain “the quality of life on our planet” satisfactorily, it can be adapted to all parts of our life (Wikipedia, 2013). However, to enhance complexity, the term of “sustainability” is beyond than an adaptation of our life on Earth. According to Costanza and Patten’s (in Wikipedia, 2013)   definition of “sustainability” is in order to establish a desired plant for every form of life at present and for future generations, it should be accountable and positive adjustment and improvement that diminishes destructive influence and maintains equilibrium between social, environmental and economic development. 

Similarly, the definition of sustainable development according to Brundtland (in Edward, 2005, p20) it means “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” 

 

In this study, initially, the definition of sustainability in relation to construction and its’ importance will be critically examined. Afterwards, context of Turkey and construction sector on the basis of mainly housing developments in Turkey will be highlighted in relation to sustainability. Furthermore, the definition of sustainable construction and its’ principles will be considered with various explanations. At the final stage, the good and bad models from Turkey and other countries will be compared in terms of sustainable construction principals.

 

2- Definition of Sustainability in Relation to Construction and Its Importance:

 

  The explanation of sustainability has extended in many significant world communities, and embraces every source required for supporting human actions including structures (Edward, 2005, p3). At this point, yet completely man-made invention, construction can be thought of as another threat across the planet, although it has not mentioned in WWF’s threats. Edward (2005, p3) indicates that however, we are spending our lives in and on constructions from one to another: we live in residences, we trip on highways, we go to our workplace and we meet with people in bars and pubs, half of the all planet resources are consumed in the construction, which is causing one of the last sustainable sector in the world. After all, Levermore (in Dunster, Simmons and Gilbert, 2008, pxiv) has acknowledged that structures lead “%30 of global greenhouse gas emissions”. Pout and MacKenzie (in Atkinson, Yates and Wyatt, 2009, p4) similarly noted around %45 of total UK greenhouse gas emission contributed by buildings. In addition manufacturing materials affects %10 more to gas emission according to the Office of National Statistics (in Atkinson, Yates and Wyatt, 2009, p4) in 2008. Apart from the construction’s massive impact on greenhouse gas emission, International Energy Agency (IEA) (2013, p14) acknowledges that “buildings are the largest consumers of energy”and IEA continues in a large number of IEA member countries, buildings consume more than %40 of primary energy consumption. Edward (2005, p22) says that approximately a %50 energy generation is utilized by heating, lighting and ventilation in the building and %3 more energy

 use to install these facilities to structures.

 As illustrated Figure 2, the increase of energy demand in the building is highly expected, and the growth from 2010 to 2035 will nearly be equal to current China and USA building sector energy demand if the current policies continue (IEA, 2013, p14).

 Respect to these statistics and illustrations, Croome (2013, p322) observes that  in the following 20 years, the business and legislations lead to the subsequent trend of modernisation at a large number of enterprise and improvement in terms of renewable technology, “self-generation” and off-grid embodied examples and sustainable societies. This trend will be driven by not only because it is a necessity but also more significantly driven by “governance” Here are some encouraging agreements and targets set out by a number of governments and international communities. 

Figure 3: The agreements and targets of nations in specified years

As can be seen above Figure 3, the year 2020 will be an extremely important year for many countries whether they will achieve their targets or not. Similarly, Turkey as a low carbon emission country (per capita 5.3 tonnes of CO2) compared to European countries (per capita approximately 10.2 tonnes of CO2) (OECD, 2012, p25) aims to supply %30 of primary electric generation from renewable energy by 2023. (Turkish Republic Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 2013, p70)

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3-Context of Turkey:

 

  Turkey is the 16th largest economy in the world and the 6th largest economy in Europe as noted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) list of countries by their gross domestic product (GDP) 2012 (Wikipedia, 2013). The country became a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2004 and to the Kyoto Protocol in 2009 (OECD, 2012, p25). Another important membership Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was accepted in 1961 (Wikipedia, 2013). These memberships will be likely to drive or indicate Turkey’s improvement with related agreement liabilities towards to become a sustainable country.

3.1 – An approach to sustainable construction in Turkey

 

  The main targets against sustainable buildings are set out in Turkey’s Sustainable Development Report Claiming the Future 2012 as follows:

 

  • %20 energy saving with the energy efficiency implementations that will be performed in civic buildings and services by 2023(2012, p48). 

  • Arrangement of energy categorized certificates for existing buildings and energy saving in all projected constructions over application of insulation by 2017 (2012, p48).

  • Verification of minimum %25 of building stock prior to 2010 will be in sustainable movement until 2023. (2012, p48).

  • Addition of ecological project and construction techniques in urbanisation and “mass housing projects”, promoting the application of the arrangements for “central heating and renewable energy resources.”

  • Broaden utilization of “materials, technologies, designs” and techniques which empower “energy efficiency, waste minimization,recycling and savings” (2012, p48).

 

  And it is noted at this development report, in order to accomplish these targets, utilization of mechanisms should be recognized; for instance,

  • Prolonging the retail credits for customer creating an ecological building renovation

  • Modernizing license system

  • Actual plan decisions for buildings towards sustainable urban growth

  • Application of pricing plans for removal of pollution and waste(2012, p48).

 

  However, having all great intentions regarding to this development report, Balaban(2012, p33) criticises that the development in Turkey concerning “sustainable construction practice” is considerably “limited”. He complains that there is no documentation and strategies method “exist”. A greatest positive progress was the organization of “Turkish Green Building Association ( CEDBIK) in 2007, creating awareness on ecological buildings and compelling government agencies for introduction an accreditation method for ecological buildings. Balaban(2012, p33) continues that beside from a few improvements, both “public and private sector” across construction sector in Turkey tends to ignore sustainable construction standards from their fabric investment.

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4-Sustainable Construction and Its’ Principles:

 

In general, there can be various explanations related to sustainability and construction.Some of them can be classified as below: 

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5-Good and Bad Examples:

 

As shown in Figure 6, the project of housing in Kayseri comprises 756 houses in overall.  And below Figure 7 shows the houses in the Denizli Urban Transformation Project which has in total 448 dwellings.

  On the basis of local projects, TOKI apparently is far away to answer the essentials. “Climatic condition” of a particular area is mostly ignored except simple consideration of the isolation thickness of exterior wall in relation to the climate of the region (Sezer. M, 2009,p81). In general, the area in renewable energy potentials is mainly out of the evaluation and it creates an energy deficiency which will highly compensate with carbon emission sources. 

Furthermore, protecting “cultural” or local identities is again widely neglected by TOKI buildings (Sezer. M, 2009,p81). There can be given a great example which is “Sulukule transformation”. Sulukule is one of the ancient and historic areas of Istanbul. Refer to Turkish newspaper “Radikal”, Tatar (2013) explains: 

  Furthermore, protecting “cultural” or local identities is again widely neglected by TOKI buildings (Sezer. M, 2009,p81). There can be given a great example which is “Sulukule transformation”. Sulukule is one of the ancient and historic areas of Istanbul. Refer to Turkish newspaper “Radikal”, Tatar (2013) explains:

  For over a period of time Roma people there lived by themselves, without any major problem however in 2005, with the passing law, Sulukule was declared as “Urban Renewal” area and this meant that landowners were able to sell their land for renewed house from TOKI, the public organization for urban planning. In 2008, especially tenants were mostly affected and demolitions and forced evictions began. Instead of the Sulukule’s bad appearance (!) , Ottoman style villas were to be built in the region. İbrahim Gani (one of Sulukule house owner) says they are given a list of rules when they moved. These people were free in their homes,their very private spheres, however as they move to “modern” and “renewed” homes, they have to live according to a list of rules. They can’t put out laundry on their balconies; they can’t leave shoes outside of the apartment.   

Moreover , it was a very domestic district , where everyone knew each other and relations among neighbours were really good , İbrahim Gani says they even  do not know who lives next door. (Tatar, 2013)

  Tatar (2013) concludes his note that he agrees with the intention of making life standard better, but he criticised the approach that it is completed by “political actors”, as these arrangements should “respect to subjects and subject’s opinion on these kind of issues must be cared.”

  Regarding to left Figure 9, in the end of the 19th century, the initial “constructing new harbour facilities” renewal work was started in 1899 by the decision of the Yokohama city public authorities. The construction was completed the first stage in 1905, and the remaining stages in 1906. This progress followed with Building 1 in 1913 and Building 2 in 1911 were built to be used as “customs houses.”Afterwards, the 1923 “Great Kantō earthquake” and World War II (1939-1945) were damaged and arrogated. After, the buildings were brought back to Japan, the refurbishment work started from 1994 to 1999. This work includes rooftop and complex body part strengthening. After this renewal works, the place is opened as the name of “Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse” in 2002. 

Building No.: 1 is aimed to be used for “cultural facility” for instance, “art exhibitions, film festivals,musical competions and plays.” Building No. : 2 is introduced as a “shopping mall and restaurant arcade and a balcony from which visitors can view the harbour opened on the 3rd floor in 2007”( Wikipedia, 2013).As mentioned in the sustainable construction’s principles, decreasing consumption by refurbishment, finding connection between societies, place and technology  are essentially important parameters to create a sustainable building. 

 

6-Conclusion:

 

  In general, Edward (2005, p9) identifies the “sustainability is intellectually more interesting, professionally more challenging and, in design terms, more exacting than any other agenda. It has emerged as the new cutting edge in science, the basis for innovative technologies and design approaches, the fresh paradigm for social equity, and the lens through which business increasingly plot the future.” However Edward (2005, p9) points out that technology should meet with a social outline for sustainable development, which is the highly required argument  in Turkey’s housing case. On the other hand, another point is the threat that we create to our planet is inevitable as we have been receiving from many indicators concerning world’s future the highest and lowest peak points more frequent.  Consequently, global awareness and solutions especially in the construction sector on the basis of sustainability are crucial.    

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7-References:

 

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