Higher Learning and Climate Change

WHEN I STARTED MY RESEARCH 4 years ago, one of the motivations why I decided to pursue higher education is to contribute to the knowledge-base on environmental management, specifically on how we could utilise land resource effeciently and effectively. In particular, I want to identify strategies on how to redevelop or regenerate underutilised/unproductive land (greyfields), the brownfields - properties that have been utilised for a single use (industrial, parking, etc) or simply to revitalise downtown areas or urban centres with derelict land and buildings to increase choice, convenience, and vitality resulting in social, economic and environmental benefits. This can be promoted by intensification of land uses through "mixed-use form".

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT is considered as one of the mechanisms to regenerate these properties into liveable, attractive and sustainable communities. Mixed-use scheme is an integral ingredient of urban redevelopment to promote compactness, social equity, economic vitality and ennvironmental quality. Unfortunately, environmental quality is not directly discussed in my research, however, there are attributes or indicators in mixed-use scheme that are identified that influenced in the performance and optimisation of the mix" of use within the project. These attributes are included in the physical characteristics of the projects such as: functional and physical lay-out, type and quality of contruction materials, provision for parking, air conditioning system, cooling and ventilation, and energy effeciency rating. In addition, there are indicators that describe the environmental setting and condition of the sites (where these mixed-use schemes are located) which also indicate sustainability.

Im very honest in my previous journals that Im not an "avid fan" of Climate Change or Global Warming issues, however I do believe that we have our own little way to protect our Mother Earth. There are other issues that need much greater attention from both the communities and the government that influence the drastic change of our climate.

To this end, continuing higher education is one of the aspects that support environmental protection, preservation and management through the conduct of research in built environment (real estate, property investment, infrastructures, housing, etc.). Providing more funds and resources to pursue higher learning is one way of enriching the knowledge base and sharing information to the public as a whole.

Note: Some examples of mixed-use projects will be posted here very soon!