Sustainable Development

What is a sustainable development? Most people misunderstood that sustainable development is a green building including me. Through the lecture of sustainable development by Ms. Liew, I have understand the concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many different ways, but at its core is an approach to development that looks to balance different, and often competing, needs against an awareness of the environmental, social and economical limitations we face as a society (Sd-commissioning, 2011). 

Not only that, I also learnt that sustainable development is not only about environmental friendly but also about the local economics, community social and movement of people into that area. A sustainable development is able to improve the economics of the town as the existing developments will increase the local employment which mean increasing of job opportunity to the local as well as balancing the community. The distinctive design of development will attract the buyer and people to move into this area. Therefore, the movement and accessibility of development is important because it is allow people to move in or visiting in convenient way. However, sustainable development is not only meet the human current needs but also should not sacrifice the needs of future generation. 

Figure 1: The concept of sustainable development (Credit to Ms. Liew)

Green building is getting popular in Malaysia but the concept of sustainable development is not being applied in the development project in Malaysia as most of them do not understand about it. However, there is not much of professional or specialist in the green building industry therefore I thought that it is a good chance for me to study this lesson from UK and it is useful when I'm working in this industry in Malaysia. During proposing a development, I feel hard to propose a sustainable development by following the planning policy and because there is a lot of restriction for the reservation land. Yet with the concept of sustainable development given by Ms. Liew, it allows me to design a sustainable development in an easier way which helps to me save a lot of time. It also allow me to focus more on the safety and environment matter during the design stage. For example, the river is located besides of subject land so during the construction period it may pollute the river. Therefore a solution to prevent pollution is needed during the planning stage. In this case, we can get assistance from  Environment Agency, NIEA and SEPA to minimize the river pollution (Environment Agency, 2010).  

Please feel free visit my padlet wall about my propose office building in Matilda Street: http://padlet.com/Hazelyq/k29vhs4drusl

References:

• Environment Agency, (2010). Working at construction and demolition sites: PPG6 Pollution Prevention Guidelines [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/290139/pmho0412bwfe-e-e.pdf [Assessed 22 Jul. 2014].
• Sd-commission, (2014). What is sustainable development · Sustainable Development Commission. [online] Available at: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/what-is-sustainable-development.html [Accessed 22 Jul. 2014].

Market Analysis of Building Development

Through this lesson, I had learnt PESTLE analysis which I never learn before in Malaysia as I always using SWOT analysis most of the time that allow me to investigate viability of a construction company and project. PESTLE analysis is about the general marketing condition of a particular place which include Political, Economics, Social, Technology and Legal. It will based on these key considerations to analyze the suitability of type of development. 

During the tutorial class, me and group-mates were discuss about the viability of student accommodation on Matilda Street with SWOT analysis. Through the discussion, we had notice the supply of student accommodation in Sheffield is more than the demand which has caused surplus situation in Sheffield. In other word, we think that it is not suitable to build a student accommodation on our subject site at Matilda Street. Not only our group discussion, we also had discussion with other groups who done PESTLE analysis which allow me more familiar with the PESTLE analysis.

This lesson has enhanced my knowledge on market appraisal of a project development which allow me to use it on my career when I'm working in construction or real estate industry as well as investment.

Please feel free visit my padlet wall about my propose office building in Matilda Street: http://padlet.com/Hazelyq/k29vhs4drusl

The Planning System in UK (Construction Industry)

Through the week 4 lecture and seminar, I learnt about the English Planning System and Planning Application System that related to the development of construction project. As last post had mentioned the important of zoning that might affect the type of development that going to build on the land; through the guidance provided by our lecturer, Sam Moorwood, I am able to understand the zoning and usage of subject land through the website of Sheffield City Council as well as the Sheffield City Policies, proposal map and Sheffield Core Strategy. These information will helping developer/contractor get approval from planning permission with the lesser probability of rejection from Local Planning Authority. From this lesson, I also have learnt that all skill, information and decision making should be followed by the CIOB competencies framework to obtain the planning permission.

From the lecture, I also had learnt the different step or type of Local Plan Policy Framework to obtain planning permission in UK which are LDP and UDP. However, the planning permission of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Malaysia is different with the UK's planning permission. For example, there is a lot of planning departments in DBKL but all of the documents and development proposal should be approved by the One Stop Centre (OSC) (DBKL, 2013). Although the Local Plan Policy Framework of UK is not applicable in Malaysia but there is a few key of consideration is useful to apply into the documents during planning the development. As a conclusion, this lesson benefits me a lot as I learn the differences of UK and Malaysia which allow me to think more perspective way during planning the development and I am also able to know more about the planning system in UK which will be another new knowledge for me to improve myself and my country too.

Please feel free visit my padlet wall about my propose office building in Matilda Street: http://padlet.com/Hazelyq/k29vhs4drusl

Reference:

• DBKL, (2013). Official Portal of Kuala Lumpur City Hall - Official Portal of Kuala Lumpur City Hall. [online] Available at: http://www.dbkl.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=233&Itemid=805&lang=en [Accessed 7 Aug. 2014].