AR3203 Environmental Science for Architecture Syllabus:
AR3203 Environmental Science for Architecture Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021
OBJECTIVES
To introduce the basic concepts of environment, ecosystems and biodiversity and emphasise on the biodiversity of India and its conservation.
To impart knowledge on the causes, effects and control or prevention measures of environmental pollution and natural disasters.
To facilitate the understanding of global and Indian scenario of renewable and nonrenewable resources, causes of their degradation and measures to preserve them.
To familiarise about influence of societal use of resources on the environment and introduce the legal provisions, National and International laws and conventions for environmental protection.
To inculcate the effect of population dynamics on human and environmental health and inform about human right, value education and role of technology in monitoring human and environmental issues.
UNIT I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY
Definition, scope and importance of environment – need for public awareness – concept of an ecosystem – structure and function of an ecosystem – producers, consumers and decomposers – energy flow in the ecosystem – ecological succession – food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids – Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the (a) forest ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c) desert ecosystem (d) aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries) – Introduction to biodiversity definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity – bio geographical classification of India – value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values – Biodiversity at global, national and local levels – India as a mega-diversity nation – hot-spots of biodiversity – threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts – endangered and endemic species of India – conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity. Field study of common plants, insects, birds Field study of simple ecosystems – pond, river, hill slopes, etc.
Introduction to the design of built environment with consideration of environment, ecosystems and biodiversity.
UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air pollution (b) Water pollution (c) Soil pollution (d) Marine pollution (e) Noise pollution (f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear hazards – soil waste management: causes, effects and control measures of municipal solid wastes – role of an individual in prevention of pollution – pollution case studies – disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides. Field study of local polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.
Built environment and its relation to environmental pollution, both as a cause and as a response.
UNIT III NATURAL RESOURCES
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies- timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal people – Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and problems – Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies – Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies – Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources. case studies – Land resources: Land as a resource, land 47 degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification – role of an individual in conservation of natural resources – Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles. Field study of local area to document environmental assets – river / forest / grassland / hill / mountain.
The use of natural resources in architecture and the built environment through principles and case
studies.
UNIT IV SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
From unsustainable to sustainable development – urban problems related to energy – water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management – resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns, case studies – role of non-governmental organization environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions – climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust, case studies. – wasteland reclamation – consumerism and waste products – environment protection act – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) act – Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) act – Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation act – enforcement machinery involved in environmental legislation- central and state pollution control boards- Public awareness.
Socially and environmentally sensitive design of built environment through case studies.
UNIT V HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Population growth, variation among nations – population explosion – family welfare programme – environment and human health – human rights – value education – HIV / AIDS – women and child welfare – role of information technology in environment and human health – Case studies.
Architectural design and density.
OUTCOME
Understanding of the functions of environment, ecosystems and biodiversity and their conservation.
Ability to identify the causes, effects and environmental pollution and natural disasters and contribute to the preventive measures in the immediate society.
Understanding of renewable and non-renewable resources and contribute to the sustainable measures to preserve them for future generations.
Familiarity with different forms of energy and apply them for suitable applications in for technological advancement and societal development.
Knowledge of societal activity on the long and short term environmental issues and abide by the legal provisions, National and International laws and conventions in professional and personal activities and to identify and analyse effect of population dynamics on human value education, consumerism and role of technology in environmental issues.
An understanding of the design of built environment with due consideration of environmental implications.
REQUIRED READING
Anubha Kaushik and C. P. Kaushik, ‘Perspectives in Environmental Studies’, 6th Edition, New Age International Publishers (2018).
Benny Joseph, ‘Environmental Science and Engineering’, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, (2016).
Gilbert M.Masters, ‘Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science’, 2nd edition, Pearson Education (2004).
REFERENCES
1. R.K. Trivedi, ‘Handbook of Environmental Laws, Rules, Guidelines, Compliances and Standards’, Vol. I and II, Enviro Media.
2. Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, ‘Environmental Encyclopedia’, Jaico Publ., House, Mumbai, 2001.
3. Dharmendra S. Sengar, ‘Environmental law’, Prentice Hall of India PVT. LTD, New Delhi, 2007.
4. Rajagopalan, R, ‘Environmental Studies-From Crisis to Cure’, Oxford University Press (2005).
5. ErachBharucha,‘Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses’, Orient Blackswan Pvt. Ltd, 2013.