report on the negative impact of construction engineering to the environment

This is the Proposal

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Subject: Proposal to write a report on the negative impact of construction engineering to the environment.

Introduction

Construction engineering is credited for the growth of infrastructure worldwide. Each day, there are more railroads, buildings, bridges, dams, highways and airports, coming up. The drive of this paper is to offer insight into the unwanted effects that come with growth in infrastructure. It will also encompass research findings into the problem and propose possible solutions.

Background of the problem

While growth and development is welcome, it is paramount to look into the downside of modifying the environment, through infrastructure to suit the needs of mankind.

Infrastructure is an indicator of a country’s economic growth. Each country strives to acquire the highest level of infrastructure possible. Developing countries lag behind in terms of infrastructure development and in a bid to improve on that, there is massive construction going on. With the scarcity of resources, the available resources are exploited to a point of depletion to provide to the needs of the construction industries. Developing countries are not the only victims of environmental degradation from infrastructure growth. The negative effects of construction engineering on the environment are widespread.

Some of the issues that happen from infrastructure development and growth include:

· Environmental pollution: For instance, most industries in construction engineering use fossil fuels to operate their machines. When released into the air, these fuels cause air pollution. Manufacturing of Cement, which is the main component in construction, causes the emission of anthropogenic carbon dioxide. This is a toxic gas which contributes to air pollution. They also increase atmospheric temperature, which causes a decline in biodiversity, hydrological changes, and climate shift and nutrient cycles. These changes have a direct impact on human health.

Industrial waste that is disposed of into water bodies causes water contamination, which interferes with vegetation.

· Noise pollution from the industries and machines used during construction.

· Increase in traffic due to road blocks during construction.

· Littering from debris falling during construction.

· The waste generated from these industries could lead to outbreaks and the spread of diseases. It could also lead to soil erosion.

· Displacing people from their areas of residence to pave way for highways, railroads, airports etc.

· Congestion arising from putting up too many buildings in one area.

· Accidents, fatal or otherwise, occur during construction. This could happen to the construction workers, people passing by the construction site, or peoples using infrastructure like bridges. There have been instances where buildings have collapsed and bridges fallen apart.

· Deforestation to pave way for roads. Forests form habitats for many wild animals, and when they are cleared, the animals are forced to migrate to other places.

· Dams cause flooding of the habitat hindering the migration of fish and block the flow of sediments. In addition, increased salinity in the dams interferes with water quality. Mercury leaching from the soil in the dam and organic matter makes the water unfit for irrigation or consumption.

· Road construction in areas where forests once stood, gives easy access to hunters and poachers to animals that dwell in areas so remote, they would otherwise be unreachable illegal poaching and hunting contributes to a steep decline in the number of endangered species.

· Birds in migration are often killed in collision with structures put up as telephone masts. Electric fences also lead to the death of birds through electrocution.

· Improved infrastructure leads to an increase in tourism. This puts pressure on natural reserves and leads encroachment into reserved resources and natural habitats where there are scarce resources.

· Airports have made it possible for tourists to travel all over the world. Tourism can cause water shortage because of overuse of water in swimming pools, and personal use in hotels.

· Having too many buildings concentrated in one place, causes rain water to run into drains causing floods instead of soaking into the ground.

· Dams form a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which cause malaria.

Questions to be investigated

· What measures should construction engineers put in place to reduce environmental pollution?

· Is it possible to proceed with infrastructure without having to displace people from their homes?

· Do construction engineering companies provide insurance to cover those injured during construction?

· What steps are taken to safeguard the environment?

· Is the government involved in regulating the operations of construction industries?

· What technology is used in developing the infrastructure?

· When interfering with the natural habitats, are the endangered species relocated to prevent them from being extinct?

· How can interference with flora and fauna be minimized?

· How can we retain cultural heritage and still have infrastructure?

Research methods

To compile a well-informed formal report will visit construction sites to assess how much damage their activities cause to the environment. I will also look into online articles published on the impact of construction engineering on the environment also intend to read books on construction engineering, which will provide an even broader perspective on the problem at hand and offer possible solutions. My research will not be limited to one country; it will cover the world at large since environmental degradation by the construction is a worldwide problem.

I found the sources below to be extra reliable in providing adequate information, accurate statistics and valid facts in regards to the problem presented:

1. Frangopol, Dan M., and Hitoshi Furuta. Life-cycle cost analysis and design of civil infrastructure systems. Reston, VA: Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 2001. Print.

2. Sarsby, R. W. Environmental Geotechnics. London: Thomas Telford, 2000. Print.

3. Ranade, Prabha Shastri. Infrastructure development and its environmental impact: study of Konkan Railway. New Delhi: Concept Pub. Co., 2009. Print.

4. "Civil College." What is Civil Engineering? N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. www.engineersaustralia.org.au/civil-college/what-civil-engineering.

"REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES." www.rwdi.com/cms/publications. Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. www.rwdi.com/cms/publications/

5. Canter, Larry W.. Environmental impact assessment. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977. Print

6. Gangolells, Marta, Miquel Casals, Santiago Gassó, Núria Forcada, Xavier Roca, and Alba Fuertes. "A methodology for predicting the severity of environmental impacts related to the construction process of residential buildings." Building and Environment 44.3 (2009): 558-571. Print.

7. Gleeson, James, and Deborah Gleeson. Reducing the impacts of development on wildlife. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Pub., 2012. Print.

8. "www.miga.org/documents/EIA_Study_Cargo_Storage_Facility ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A CARGO STORAGE WHAREHOUSE AT FREETOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LUNGI. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. <http://www.miga.org/documents/EIA_Study_Cargo_Storage_Facility>.

9. Amekudzi, A., and M. Meyer. Consideration of environmental factors in transportation systems planning.. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 2005. Print

10. "Environmental Issues associated with Infrastructure." www.environmental-auditing.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. www.environmental-auditing.org/LinkClick.

Timetable

Once I gather all the information I require and investigate the credibility of the sources I will use, I will compile a progress report which I will then hand in on 4th April. Later, on 8th April or 10th April, I will present my findings. My rough draft of the report will be availed to you on April 15th.Upon receiving feedback; I will dedicate the remaining time to work on the final draft which I will hand in to you on 25th April.

Request for approval

I am grateful for the approval of a formal report, welcome questions and suggestions on how I should carry on with the report.