Project feasibility study: the key to successful implementation of sustainable and socially responsible construction management practice

This paper introduces a new approach for conducting project feasibility study by embracing the principles of sustainable development. Construction projects, in particular, infrastructures have major influence on the attainment of sustainable development, thus project sustainability needs to be considered. This becomes a pressing issue particularly in those developing countries or regions, such as China where a huge amount of construction works are currently performed and remain to happen in the future. Previous study has addressed little on the relevance of project feasibility study to project sustainability performance. The importance of incorporating sustainable development principles in conducting project feasibility study is not effectively understood by project stakeholders. This paper addresses major challenges of undertaking project feasibility study in line with sustainable construction practice with reference to the Chinese construction industry. A case study approach is the major research method in this study. The research team collected 87 feasibility study reports from various projects. Attributes are used for measuring project performance, including 18 economic performance attributes, nine social performance attributes, and eight environmental performance attributes. Research results show that economic performance is given the most concern in the current practice of project feasibility study, whilst less attention is given to the social and environmental performance. The study reveals the insufficiency of examining the performance of implementing a construction project from the perspective of sustainable development. The results also suggest the need for shifting the traditional approach of project feasibility study to a new approach that embraces the principles of sustainable development.     

A goal oriented indicator framework to support integrated assessment of new policies for agri-environmental systems

The goal oriented framework (GOF) for indicators has been developed as part of a comprehensive research project developing computerised tools for integrated assessment of the effects of new policies or technologies on agricultural systems (SEAMLESS-IF). The ambition has therefore been to create an indicator framework where the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development can be related to each other in a consistent way. Integrated assessment tools rely on such frameworks to capture and visualise trade-offs (antagonisms or synergies) among indicators between and within the three dimensions of sustainable development. The specific aims of this paper are to (i) present the GOF (ii) present how the GOF can be used to select indicators within the integrated assessment framework SEAMLESS-IF and (iii) discuss the advantages and limitations with the proposed approach. We show that the GOF has several advantages. Its major rewards are its relative simplicity and the possibility to link indicators to policy goals of each dimension of sustainability and thereby facilitate the comparison of the impacts of the new policy on the different dimensions. Another important feature of the GOF is its multi-scale perspective, which will enable the comparison of effects of a new policy between scales. Yet, as typical for all indicator frameworks, the GOF has also biases either instigated by the issues the included models cover or by the stakeholders’ selection of indicators. However, due to the way the GOF and its indicators are technically implemented in SEAMLESS-IF, it can easily be extended and include new indicators to increase and update its policy relevance.     

Framework for participative reflection on the accomplishment of transdisciplinary research programs

In response to the increasingly complex social–ecological issues facing society, there is a growing trend to conduct environmental research in large collaborative programs. This approach is described as transdisciplinary research as it transcends formal disciplinary boundaries, explicitly acknowledges that many different perspectives are relevant to the resolution of complex problems, and actively involves the users of research. This poses challenges for the evaluation of “impact” as any evaluation process must take into consideration the different expectations, values, culture, language and reward structures of the main participating groups, the funders, researchers and end users. How can these participating groups learn about the progress of a transdisciplinary research program in a way that is purposeful and structured, continues through the life of the program, and includes explicit feedback mechanisms that facilitate adaptation during the course of the program? This paper presents a framework for co-reflecting on the accomplishment of transdisciplinary research programs. The framework incorporates the perspectives of funders, researchers and users, and recognizes that while they place different emphasis on measures of achievement such as efficiency, rigor and relevance, ultimate accomplishment in terms of translating knowledge into practice requires that the needs and expectations of all three groups are adequately addressed. What emerges from the framework is the importance of early investment in processes, behaviors and relationships that foster social learning and the co-production of the knowledge and understanding that are required to ensure relevance; while maintaining emphasis in the traditional areas of formally testing evidence and mentoring young researchers to ensure rigor and build confidence and capacity in transdisciplinary approaches.     

Scientist and stakeholder perspectives of transdisciplinary research: Early attitudes,expectations, and tensions

Transdisciplinary approaches are becoming increasingly adopted as a way to research complex socio-environmental problems. Conceptually, transdisciplinarity aims to foster meaningful knowledge co-production through integrative and participatory processes that bring together diverse actors, disciplines, and knowledge bases. In practice, transdisciplinarity is more ambiguous. While there is a growing body of literature on such approaches, there remains no widely-accepted definition, concrete framework, or empirical strategy for how to carry out a transdisciplinary project. We propose that this lack of explicit structure and entrenched meaning leaves space for transdisciplinary approaches to be shaped by the evolving network of participating scientists and stakeholders, according to their perspectives of the approach and what it embodies. Here, we examine the perspectives of a diverse group of actors (n = 42) embarking on a 10-year transdisciplinary research project focused on building resilience to natural hazards and disasters in New Zealand. We present the findings of qualitative surveys and group interviews that investigate stakeholders’ and scientists’ early perspectives of transdisciplinary, or co-created, research. The study represents the first stage of longitudinal research that will continue over the course of the project. Results show that early actors in the project share an overall consistent understanding of co-created research. Participants described a process that integrated diverse people and knowledge; created benefits on both a social and personal level; fostered clear, two-way dialogue; and overcame pragmatic and intrinsic challenges. Collectively, participants agreed with adopting transdisciplinary approaches to natural hazard, risk, and resilience research, with stakeholders showing a stronger degree of agreement than scientists. While attitudes towards transdisciplinarity were overall positive, a number of underlying conflicts emerged in regards to carrying out new modes of knowledge production within traditional social and institutional structures. These conflicts result in a tension that is felt by actors involved in transdisciplinary projects early on, and in some cases, influences perception of their ability to fully participate in such an approach. Evaluating actor perspectives and expectations early in the transdisciplinary process can give insight into how attitudes, expectations, and conflicts might shape transdisciplinary efforts, and can provide relevant parameters for assessing change over time.     

生态承载力环评:研究进展·存在问题·修正对策

环评技术标准的科学性和完备性是决定环评文件质量及应用价值的关键,但长期以来生态承载力环评技术一直是环评标准体系中最薄弱的环节.通过回顾国内外生态承载力研究发展历程,解析生态承载力概念和内涵,介绍自然植被净第一性生产力评估法、生态足迹法、资源供需平衡法与综合指数法等常用生态承载力评估方法的评价原理、技术流程,指明上述各类方法片面注重“承载力”极值的量化或超载与否的评估,但却忽视人类经济社会发展产生压力指标与区域自然承载能力对应关键指标在指标类型、大小及空间上的矛盾对立性研究,以致评价过程不清晰、评估成果对于优化区域人地关系的参考价值十分有限.在此基础上结合我国生态承载力环评制度、技术导向及研究实践状况论述,指出现有生态承载力环评技术标准存在技术方案不完整、评价内容项目针对性弱、评价空间尺度与项目影响范围不匹配等问题,以此为前提,提出重新界定规划环评领域生态承载力概念,以提升科学性与实用性为目标革新生态承载力环评技术框架体系,针对项目生态压力类型及空间格局确立生态承载力评价内容,充分利用3S等新技术开展生态承载力定量化评估等修正对策建议.研究旨在为开展生态承载力评估技术革新与探索研究提供借鉴.      

超滤技术的应用和发展研究

本文介绍了超滤技术的相关知识,在水处理、食品工业、染料工业的应用。最后探讨了超滤技术的发展趋势。     

生活垃圾分类对垃圾焚烧发电产业发展影响的分析

当前,垃圾焚烧发电已成为生活垃圾处理的主流工艺。但随着生活垃圾分类制度逐步在全国范围内推行,势必会导致用于焚烧发电的垃圾原料发生明显改变。基于此,从不同角度分析了垃圾分类对垃圾焚烧发电产业发展的影响。为适应分类后焚烧垃圾物理化学性质的改变,现有垃圾焚烧发电工艺需相应调整,尤其是热值升高,将大幅提升吨垃圾发电量,显著提高项目的经济效益,有利于激发企业自主投资运营的积极性。政府可依据焚烧发电产业市场行情,灵活调整相关补贴和优惠政策。垃圾焚烧发电产业有望进一步实现完全市场化运行,其发展模式也有望呈现为“全民参与+EPC”模式。对于生活垃圾的处置,政府的“参与、监管”角色也将向单一“监管”角色转变。     

南水北调水源区黄姜产业的污染治理技术与对策

鄂西、鄂西北和陕西汉中地区,处于南水北调中线工程的水源区,同时也是我国黄姜产业最密集的地区,因此黄姜在加工生产过程中产生的大量污水势必会影响调水工程的供水安全。笔者本着高效、经济、简便的原则,采用三个步骤：1、中和,2、除有机质,3、脱色,对黄姜加工过程中产生的污水进行了治理。经过筛选,采用Na2CO3调整pH值,再利用引入的Na^ 离子和废液中的Cl^-离子电解氧化废液中大部分有机质．降低COD值,最后用沸石和活性污泥吸附法除色和进一步吸附未氧化完全的有机质。文章最后提出了综合治理方案。     

An overview of environmental valuation methods for the mining industry

During recent decades, public concern about the protection, preservation and restoration of the environment has increased. Towards this direction, legislative action on environmental issues that affect the mining industry has been taken worldwide. Within this new framework, two issues are of critical importance to the sector – namely, project appraisal by means of social cost–benefit analysis (SCBA), and natural resource damage assessments. In a vast majority of cases, both issues require analysis to be carried out in a way that the loss of natural resources and the effects of environmental degradation on human health and well-being are assessed in monetary terms. This paper focuses on the application of environmental valuation methods in mining. Principal legislative requirements are briefly described, some critical points of the most important valuation methods are outlined, and demonstrative examples are presented.     

生命周期评价在工农业生产中的应用研究

生命周期评价是指产品在整个生命周期中对环境的影响、对物质和能源的投入、产出进行汇集、测定的系统方法。从产品生命周期评价的发展过程和技术框架入手,对生命周期评价的意义以及工农业生产中的应用进行探讨,着重阐述了生命周期评价在农业生产、环保工艺、节能减排、清洁生产和环境管理中的应用。并认为生命周期评价应广泛用于环境治理领域,这是解决社会生产发展和环境污染之间矛盾的主要手段。     

A conceptual framework for analyzing sustainability strategies in industrial supply networks from an innovation perspective

This article proposes a new conceptual framework concerning the implementation of sustainability in supply networks from an innovation perspective. Based upon a recent qualitative literature review in environmental, social/ethical and logistics/operations management journals, this article summarizes and analyses the approaches found. Concluded is that even though innovation, socialization, experimental learning and cultural perspectives have been acknowledged as being relevant to explaining supply network dynamics in general, they are rarely included in the current frameworks concerning sustainability. The question still remains why companies influenced by the same external factors and similar in size and power develop a different strategy towards sustainability aspects in their supply network. The article demonstrates with the first results of a survey held in the fashion/clothing sector the relevance of this question.The proposed conceptual framework states that the capability to develop a strategy is influenced by the innovation power of the “focal” company and its supply network. The three implementation strategies presented in the framework are: resign, offensive and defensive. Two propositions are defined to be tested. These propositions focus on the relation between the level of innovation power and the implementation strategy concerning sustainability. Factors used to characterize the innovation power of the “focal” company are: external orientation and transparency, cooperation between departments, learning and adapting, leadership, autonomy and possibility for experimenting, and result driven. Cooperation in the supply networks is characterized by factors like trust, reputation, joint programmes, and cooperative information systems throughout the supply network.In empirical research, strategies found will be related with the level of innovation power. This level will be measured using the factors mentioned. The results might add a new innovation dimension to an improved conceptual framework within the interdisciplinary field of sustainability and supply network research.     

Critical perspectives of sustainable development research and practice

Sustainable development has been intensely debated for more than twenty years, but real progress of our societies to become more sustainable is very slow. Therefore this special issue provides a forum for critical perspectives of Sustainable Development Research and Practice. The papers are grouped into three clusters: a. Sustainability Science, b. Economic Problems and c. Corporate Contributions to Sustainable Development.Although a single special issue cannot address the entire array of issues pertaining to progress of sustainability related research, the selected papers highlight special aspects of sustainability research either due to their theoretical contributions or because they report on valuable empirical evidence. The main goal of sustainability research should be to contribute to our understanding of sustainability problems and to develop and help to implement solutions to solve them. This can be described as the relevance of sustainability research. A precondition to gain relevance is the rigor of sustainability science: it has to be based on solid scientific principles and methods. Additionally it has to be regarded that Sustainable Development is dynamic and that it has both normative and practical aspects. It is concluded that sustainability science and practice should be based upon these four central aspects: rigor, relevance, normative aspects and dynamic     

中国旅游业基本国情分析

大众旅游时代,中国旅游业已全面融入国家社会经济体系,仅仅从产业视角来研究现阶段中国旅游业发展是不够的,需要从基本国情和国家战略层面予以重新考量。本文以“旅游三体说”为逻辑起点,加入了假日制度变量约束,构建旅游国情研究的基本理论框架,分析中国旅游业基本国情。研究表明：中国旅游业基本国情表现为“超级国家”的“超级旅游”和旅游业发展的“巨国效应”,这种国情同步要求假日制度设计时间的充分保障和游憩空间的有效供给,才能充分释放旅游业综合价值。中国旅游国情分析为认识中国目前旅游业发展提供了一个基本视角。研究结论不仅对中国社会经济发展和和国家旅游业宏观战略有一定决策参考价值,同时对推动中国旅游地理学学科发展具有重要意义和影响。特别是对于旅游地理学而言,这要求中国旅游地理学研究对象从传统景区或旅游目的地研究向以国土游憩空间选择优化方向进行拓展提升,在这一过程中需重新定位思考不同空间维度“旅游地域系统”基本构成要素、系统结构、特征和演化过程与机理、政策制度设计和配套保障措施,完善新时代旅游地理学研究内容、研究方法、研究范式以及与相关学科关系等,进而全面拓展旅游地理学研究领域,提升其学科价值和社会影响。     

Education for regional sustainable development: experiences from the education framework of HHCEPZ project

Characteristics and education techniques of the education framework in Hai Hua Circular Economy Pilot Zone (HHCEPZ) project are described. In the project, a three-level education framework was set up to meet the theoretical and technological needs of implementing the circular economy towards sustainable society. In this educational framework, different information and technology was provided for different target groups using different educational techniques. The educational framework was flexible and comprehensive, endeavoring to ensure a demand-oriented and need-based approach to the local sustainability improvement. The results showed that the education framework was successful and served as the basis of implementation and capacity building of sustainable development. The article also presents the achievements of the HHCEPZ project and gives some suggestions on how to improve the current education framework for further implementation.     

基于价值链增值的农地整治项目前期阶段效率测度研究

在研究国内外农地整治项目效率相关问题的基础上,对农地整治项目前期阶段工作效率的内涵进行了界定,剖析了其价值链,并围绕着价值链增值这一核心建立了包含项目选址、可行性论证、勘测、权属调整及规划设计5 个准则层在内的农地整治项目前期阶段工作效率指标体系。依据标杆管理原理和项目特征设置了32 个效率指标的基准标杆、实际最优标杆及理论拓展标杆,构建了基于距离函数法的农地整治项目前期阶段工作效率测度模型。以鄂州市华容区蒲团高产农田建设示范项目为例,对其前期阶段的工作效率进行了测度,针对测度结果分析了项目前期阶段工作中存在的问题,并有针对性地提出了建议,也为其它农地整治项目前期阶段工作效率测度提供了参考依据。     

水溶液性质与水污染控制工艺相互作用的重要性

从自然演化、人类活动、科学发展角度分析污废水的产生机制及其对天然水体溶液性质的影响,发现人类迁徙的城镇化以及工农业生产的效率约束导致污废水与天然径流之间的矛盾,使生态水体呈现出由地表纯净水向水质污染方向的功能转化,扰动了元素/化合物在地球表面或水体界面的离心与向心迁移的平衡,明确了水体界面或水圈作为物质地球循环中转站/转运站的原理机制。隐藏在各种水处理工艺原理中的物理、化学、物化、生化等丰富功能能够解决中转站中所积累的矛盾,所以,集合溶液性质与污废水处理工艺原理之间的对应关系及其技术应用将构成更加完备和潜在的水工业,所提出的水溶液性质概念同样适用于给水与纯净水的生产与管理。针对有毒/难降解的工业有机废水,如煤化工行业焦化废水,在前端工艺清洁生产的基础上,需要把产品资源回收、性质互补利用、水量循环机制作为共性目标,把低能耗与物耗、关键污染物去除以及明确环境风险归趋作为污染控制工艺选择的依据,同时要求全过程产生低的二次污染如碳排放等。基于水溶液性质的改变及其过程演变的探究将拓宽水污染控制的工艺理论与技术边界。水污染控制与水环境保护相结合的水工业全过程追求技术、经济与社会目标的一致,争取得到绿色、低碳、循环等生态目标的响应,即生活、生产、生态"三位一体"的协调发展。     

Accommodating consensus and diversity in environmental knowledge production: Achieving closure through typologies in IPBES

How can a diversity of perspectives be accommodated in scientific and political consensus on environmental issues? This paper adopts a science and technology studies (STS) approach to examine how the pursuit of consensus-based knowledge and diverse participation, as seemingly contradictory commitments, have been converted into practice in the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Through a series of negotiations, these commitments have been translated into a set of situated practices that now dominate this expert panel. Consensus has been achieved through the pursuit of closure, in which meetings of expert and administrator groups produce texts, tables and images that stabilise ostensibly collective decisions. Within this framework, diverse perspectives have been accommodated through the production of typologies, such as lists of comparable options, which allow for the coexistence and commensurability of a range of knowledges and experts. However there is a politics to typologies, which requires specific attention to how decisions are made (deliberation), who participates in them (participation), and the extent to which these participants are representative of broader knowledge and policy communities (representation). While the potential of typologies to accommodate consensus and diversity offers the hope of realising ‘unity in diversity’ for both environmental knowledge and policy, recognising the politics of their production is important for more equitable processes of environmental governance.     

Which “fairness”, for whom,and why? An empirical analysis of plural notions of fairness in Fairtrade Carbon Projects,using Q methodology

Fairness is a relative concept with multiple, subjective and competing notions of what it is, how to achieve it, and for which beneficiaries. Fairtrade International's collaborative efforts to develop a standard to certify Fairtrade Carbon Credits (FCCs) brought together multiple stakeholders in a deliberative context. This paper uses Q methodology to empirically assess the notions of fairness this wider consultation group held. Three distinct ‘factors’ (or perspectives) are identified, and discussed in relation to a multi-dimensional framework for exploring fairness. The first factor prioritises development delivered through organisations, participation in decision-making and use of minimum prices to adjust trade imbalances. The second factor conceptualises a non-exclusive approach maximising generation and sales of FCCs, involving a commodity chain where everyone performs their optimum function with financial transparency and information-sharing to facilitate negotiations. The third factor involves minimising intervention, allowing carbon commodity chains and project set-ups to function efficiently, and make their own adjustments to enhance benefits access and quality received by beneficiaries. The three factors reflect debates within carbon and fair trade spheres about who should be playing which roles, who should be accessing which benefits, and how people should be supported to interact on an uneven playing field. Communicating findings to standards organisations enables a more open and inclusive policy process. Our research provides a critical reflection on these plural notions of fairness, identifying areas of (dis)agreement within the FCC dialogue, and provides a wider, yet manageable, set of inputs for supporting the FCC process during its inception and subsequent implementation. Clearer definitions of “fairness” are also useful for standards organisations in reviewing ex post whether “fairness” goals have been met.