module 1. NEXUS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

what is nexus approach?

Nexus Approach is a systematic urban approach towards sustainable management of water, waste, and energy by generating solutions to problems concerning ecological scarcities due to abrupt changes in human activity.
Under the Nexus approach, interlinkages, synergies and trade-offs are analysed, with the aim of identifying solutions, fostering water-food-energy security and efficiency, and reducing impacts and risks on water-dependent ecosystems.

biscast nexus approach

BISCAST, in partnership with City Government of Naga was selected as the meso-level pioneer for the Urban Nexus Approach in Naga City. BISCAST seeks to achieve a climage change resilient building that has green features and targets to offer services to local governments in helping them with regards to Land Use Planning. Continual promotion of Nexus Approach by BISCAST fulfills the need of every locality in realizing climate mitigation and disaster risk management.

To effectuate Urban Nexus in BISCAST, Nexus Task Force was established which primarily focuses on the following areas: sustainable site development plan, eco-friendly, capacity building, integration of sustainable design in academic curriculum, energy management, and the Climate Change Resilient Pilot House (CCRPH).
Shown in the right figure is a low-cost housing technology called "Climate Change Resilient Housing Project (CCRPH)" that was introduced and pioneered by German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and BISCAST.

integrated research management

Integrated Research Management is a collection of innovative methodologies which establishes the involvement of relevant stakeholders and resources according to the thematic models devised from set of standard processes.
The Urban Nexus Project employs Integrated Research Management to interconnect areas of sanitation, energy efficiency, environment, climate resilient and cost-effective housing. This comprises the entire NEXUS System in order to ensure and secure sustainable use of the said resources.
Shown below is an integration process and research framework for the BISCAST Nexus Approach

sustainable development and design

Sustainable Development is a concept that was first emerged in 1987 Bruntland Report, which is defined as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to acquire their needs. This have served as a warning brought by adversary environmental consequences due to modernization and globalization. Economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection are three core elements that are found to be crucial in attaining sustainable development.
Sustainable Design is the approach of reducing negative environmental impacts by creating buildings that features social and ecological sustainability (green building design). Its basic objective is to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimizing waste, and creating a resource efficient environment. For Civil Engineers, creating sustainable buildings are one of their primary concerns because of the financial rewards and environmentally preferable outcomes it may bring to the society.
This could be achieved by designing an eco-friendly buildings with lower operating cost compared to typical building structures.

green assessments and audit

Green Assessment is an environmental tool used in evaluating the impact of a project or development to the bio-geophysical environment.It is usually done to make predictions concerning the environmental issues so that evaluators would be able to provide appropriate alternatives and mitigating measures that would diminish negative impacts of development on man and environment.
Green Audit is a management tool used to evaluate the environmental performance of a project or development. It is comprised of systematic and documented evaluations to ensure if a development is complying regulatory requirements pursuant to environmental standards, and if there has been a significant improvement in financial performance by employing cost saving methods.

classwork assignment #1

Classwork Assignment Module 1_BARTOLOME.docx

REFLECTION:

After watching the video links given by our instructor and answering the classwork assignment, I have grasped lots of takeaways in this module. First, I learned that the nexus approach can guide a transition to sustainability, by reducing negative impacts within the system and producing gains that outweigh the costs connected with investing in better policy and “greener” technology. The integrated approach amplified with proper research management will result in beneficial solutions to resource management (e.g. water and waste recycling, investing in green infrastructure or renewable sources of energy) and provide way to meet the needs of the present without compromising our future generations to meet their own needs.

Lastly, I learned that green assessments and audit are crucial when it comes to analyzing environmental practices within and outside of the concerned project or place, which will have an impact on the eco-friendly atmosphere. This will help me to determine how do I expend most energy or water or other resources; which will help me to implement changes and make savings.

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