Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment

The crucial element of community engagement has been recognised as a success factor in the conception and dispensing of climate solutions, but consists in itself of complex factors to obtain the level of interest and commitment from stakeholders. The complexity of the content and language used to in...

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Main Author: Mahendra Gooroochurn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123022002183
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author Mahendra Gooroochurn
author_facet Mahendra Gooroochurn
author_sort Mahendra Gooroochurn
collection DOAJ
description The crucial element of community engagement has been recognised as a success factor in the conception and dispensing of climate solutions, but consists in itself of complex factors to obtain the level of interest and commitment from stakeholders. The complexity of the content and language used to interact with the community is yet another factor needing close attention. The built environment is known for its adverse environmental impact, which can be broadly classified under energy, water and material categories. This paper presents a community-oriented project concept termed as circular homes based on this energy-water-materials nexus, developed using the circular economy principles. The proposed concept was developed over the course of a research-to-action project undertaken in the build-up to COP26. The project aimed at gathering youth perspectives on climate change through an online survey. In light of survey responses as well as literature findings on community engagement and climate action in the built environment, the energy, water and materials components of the circular homes were established and adapted to Mauritius. The outcomes of the workshop are presented, showing the ability of each participant, irrespective of background, to engage with the needed level of understanding of his or her home and propose bespoke climate mitigation and adaptation action. Although applied in the tropical context of Mauritius, the circular home methodology presented can be adapted to incorporate research outcomes and national or regional priorities pertaining to the energy, water and materials dimensions.
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spelling doaj.art-37515165529540ed8e37eb884b2680532022-12-22T03:12:47ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302022-09-0115100548Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environmentMahendra Gooroochurn0Mechanical and Production Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, 80837 Reduit, MauritiusThe crucial element of community engagement has been recognised as a success factor in the conception and dispensing of climate solutions, but consists in itself of complex factors to obtain the level of interest and commitment from stakeholders. The complexity of the content and language used to interact with the community is yet another factor needing close attention. The built environment is known for its adverse environmental impact, which can be broadly classified under energy, water and material categories. This paper presents a community-oriented project concept termed as circular homes based on this energy-water-materials nexus, developed using the circular economy principles. The proposed concept was developed over the course of a research-to-action project undertaken in the build-up to COP26. The project aimed at gathering youth perspectives on climate change through an online survey. In light of survey responses as well as literature findings on community engagement and climate action in the built environment, the energy, water and materials components of the circular homes were established and adapted to Mauritius. The outcomes of the workshop are presented, showing the ability of each participant, irrespective of background, to engage with the needed level of understanding of his or her home and propose bespoke climate mitigation and adaptation action. Although applied in the tropical context of Mauritius, the circular home methodology presented can be adapted to incorporate research outcomes and national or regional priorities pertaining to the energy, water and materials dimensions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123022002183Climate changeYouth advocacyBioclimatic and passive building designCircular design
spellingShingle Mahendra Gooroochurn
Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
Results in Engineering
Climate change
Youth advocacy
Bioclimatic and passive building design
Circular design
title Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
title_full Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
title_fullStr Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
title_full_unstemmed Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
title_short Circular homes – An energy-water-materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
title_sort circular homes an energy water materials nexus for community climate engagement and action at grassroots level in the built environment
topic Climate change
Youth advocacy
Bioclimatic and passive building design
Circular design
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123022002183
work_keys_str_mv AT mahendragooroochurn circularhomesanenergywatermaterialsnexusforcommunityclimateengagementandactionatgrassrootslevelinthebuiltenvironment