Reshaping the Built Environment: Ecology, Ethics, and Economics

Book Description

Because of the profound effects of the built environment on the availability of natural resources for future generations, those involved with designing, creating, operating, renovating, and demolishing human structures have a vital role to play in working to put society on a path toward sustainability.

This volume presents the thinking of leading academics and professionals in planning, civil engineering, economics, ecology, architecture, landscape architecture, construction, and related fields who are seeking to discover ways of creating a more sustainable built environment. Contributors address the broad range of issues involved, offering both insights and practical examples. In the book:

Stephen Kellert describes the scope of the looming ecological crisis
Herman Daly explains the unsustainability of the world's economic system and the dangers inherent in the current movement toward globalization
John Todd describes the evolution of wastewater processing systems inspired by natural systems
John Tillman Lyle discusses the importance of landscape in the creation of the human environment
Randall Arendt argues for a fundamental shift in land development patterns that would not only provide for more green space in new developments, but would also increase the profitability of developers and the quality of life for new home owners
Thomas E. Graedel proposes the application of lessons learned from the emerging science of industrial ecology to the creation of "green" building.

While the transition to sustainability will not be easy, natural systems provide abundant models of architecture, engineering, production, and waste conversion that can be used in rethinking the human habitat and its interconnections. This volume provides insights that can light the way to a new era in which a reshaped built environment will not only provide improved human living conditions, but will also protect and respect the earth's essential natural life-support systems and resources.

Customer Reviews:

A comprehensive look at our environment.......1999-06-03

A comprehensive analysis and commentary on America's physical and social infrastructure, Kilbert has compiled an impressive list of authors/environmental policy specialists. They speak to issues as seemingly diverse as the moral burdens being placed on future generations by short sighted environmental policy to practical solutions ( the Brownfields initiative)for reusing old industrial land in the inner city--a valuable text for anyone involved in shaping public policy in the near future.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture

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Excellent source material!
a wonderful guide to japanese architectural styles!

What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture
Kazuo Nishi , and Kazuo Hozumi
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 4770019920

Book Description

Traditional Japanese architecture-whether Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, residences, castles, or teahouses-has become increasingly familiar around the world. Through the media of motion pictures, art books, T.V. documentaries and dramas such as Shogun, as well as through personal
experience, more and more people have gained an acquaintance and appreciation of the architecture of premodern Japan. Some may even be able to name or recognize the oldest and the largest wooden structures in existence, which are to be found in Japan at Horyuji and Todaiji respectively. Yet often
this knowledge is still rudimentary. Confusion abounds as to what distinguishes Japanese architecture from Chinese or Korean, or even Southeast Asian, not to mention what sets off a Buddhist temple from a Shinto shrine or, say, a residence of the tenth century from one of the eighteenth. Until now,
there has been no recourse for those seeking, through a single book, to increase their appreciation of the whole range of traditional Japanese architecture. With the publication of What Is Japanese Architecture?, however, this situation has finally been rectified. Construction, design, carpentry,
and the background of Japanese architecture, from prehistory to mid-nineteenth century, are here made available within the covers of a single, compact book.

With over 300 drawings that illuminate the essentials of discussion more concretely than words could ever do, and a text that is succinct and always to the point, the book is divided into four parts-one each dealing chronologically with religious structures, residences, castles, and places of
entertainment. The reader learns not only how each of these fields of architecture has evolved over the centuries and what distinguishes the buildings of one age from those of another, but something of the historical conditions and the people responsible for these changes as well as the role played
by carpentry and methods of construction. The establishment and growth of the historic Japanese capitals-Nara, Kyoto, Edo-is brought sharply into focus, along with the rise and spread of other urban centers. Also highlighted are the mansions of the court nobility; the castles and residences of the
samurai aristocracy; the homes of village elders; dwellings of the common people; educational institutions, and places of entertainment such as theaters, red-light districts, teahouses, and country villas.

Any book that is as full of information as this, and readily accessible and clearly illustrated at the same time, will be of great interest and use to a wide range of people-architects, designers, historians, carpenters, movie buffs, tourists, garden designers, and others, whether amateur or
professional. Whatever the readers' background, there is little doubt about one thing: they will emerge with an acuter eye and a greater sensitivity to the delights of traditional Japanese architecture.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent source material!.......2004-04-28

I've been searching for a book such as this for quite some time. I purchased this book as source material for 3D modeling, and all the hand drawn illustrations are simply amazing! Many interior, exterior and close-up shots of Japanese architecture. Several floor plans and isometric views of various homes and temples.

Having only recieved my book the day before, I have not had a chance to read it from cover to cover, but what I have read was informative and well written. While you may not be able to build your very own "to code" Japanese home with this book, as a source of information and inspiration, it's a tremendous book!

a wonderful guide to japanese architectural styles!.......2000-06-10

This is a good guide to Japanse architecture and it's styles. It contains many illustrations, and is a detailed description on types of Traditional Japanese architecture.

Traditional Domestic Architecture of Japan (Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art, Vol. 21)

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Traditional Domestic Architecture of Japan (Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art, Vol. 21)
Teiji Itoh , and Richard L. Gage
Manufacturer: Art Media Resources
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0834810042

The Elegant Japanese House: Traditional Sukiya Architecture

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The Elegant Japanese House: Traditional Sukiya Architecture
Teiji Itoh
Manufacturer: Weatherhill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0834815001

Minka: Traditional Houses of Rural Japan

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Minka: Traditional Houses of Rural Japan
Chujo Kawashima
Manufacturer: Kodansha America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0870117211

Japan's Folk Architecture: Traditional Thatched Farmhouses

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Japan's Folk Architecture: Traditional Thatched Farmhouses
Chuji Kawashima
Manufacturer: Kodansha International (JPN)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 4770025068

Book Description

If there is no place like home, there is certainly no home like a minka. Literally "houses of the people," these traditional farmhouses from Japan's premodern past might be more properly called "folk houses": The beauty of minka, like the beauty of all folk art, lies in the harmonious blending of form and material. In form, minka have evolved gradually, with numerous variations, from origins deep in Japan's prehistoric past. The building materials--earth, wood, and stone--come from the same mountains and forests that surround the houses. Traditional forms, readily available materials, and integration with nature--these are the distinguishing elements of the buildings that countless Japanese have called home for centuries.

Illustrated with more than 400 photographs and drawings, this book describes the basic external and internal features, the structure from foundation to roof truss, and the variety of minka styles. It is a virtual cornucopia of information, sure to delight anyone with an interest in architecture, art, or age-old lifestyles that are now on the wane.

The diversity of minka styles is particularly intriguing. In response to the demands of local geography, climate, and industry, every region of Japan has developed its own style. The multistory minka of northern Japan, with their steep thatched roofs and many small gable windows, were an adaptation to long winters and heavy snows as well as to the needs of silkworm cultivation. The minka of southern Japan are often a cluster of relatively small, low buildings with raised floors to maximize ventilation and minimize typhoon damage. As the reader of this book will soon discover, an exploration of minka styles becomes a journey through Japan as well as a capsule social history of this fascinating land. Almost half the book is devoted to a discussion of styles, from salient features and the reasons for their development to local variants. A detailed description of a representative extant minka is given for each major style.

An architect by profession, the author has spent half a century scouring Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido to the scattered islands south of Kyushu, studying, drawing, and photographing, in hope of blunting the onslaught of consumer culture that threatens these magnificent houses. This book, the first comprehensive account in English of the architecture and the major stylistic characteristics of minka, is a distillation of his vast knowledge and deep love for these traditional dwellings.

Previously published as Minka: Traditional Houses of Rural Japan.

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Traditional Japanese Houses
Rizzoli
Manufacturer: Rizzoli
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Residential | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0847804798
Release Date: 1983-06-15

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The relationship of the traditional Japanese residence to nature
Robert E Longhurst
Manufacturer: Kent State University, School of Architecture and Environmental Design
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006VV2DC

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Traditional Domestic Architecture of Japan.
Teiji Itoh
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V22O5Q

Amazon.com

Jack Ohman's cartoons are easy to love: his art is immensely accessible, his wit is always sharp, and his academic background in political science shows through in almost every cartoon. Like the best of the best, Ohman can take an easily lampoonable situation and find just the angle that makes it seem totally fresh. For example, contrasting the media circus surrounding camp O. J. Simpson with an empty street labeled "Media at Camp Battered Women." Or consider the reaction from the National Cutlery Association to the Lorena Bobbitt verdict: "Knives don't wound husbands.... Wives do!!!" Ohman's cartoons never seem tired, and the diversity of topics he chooses to satirize is wonderfully broad: debts and taxes, congressional oversights, "popped culture," environmentalism, gender politics--there's even a chapter on "The Politics of Meaninglessness." If you are not already a huge fan of Jack Ohman, his name will rise to the top of your list after reading Do I Have to Draw You a Picture?

Book Description

The quick wit and insightful observations of Jack Ohman are evident in this, his first collection of editorial cartoons for Pelican. Ohman lampoons President Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and O. J. Simpson. The social issues of race, homelessness, and abortion are also subjects for his commentary. Even the more recently hotly debated topics of cloning and the Clinton Coffees are criticized.

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