Relational integration for sustainable infrastructure

The work discusses issues of the infrastructure, its instruments, and specifics of infrastructure in Polish and Slovak rural areas. The aim of this article is to analyze the level of technical infrastructure development in rural regions of the Małopolskie Voivodeship in Poland and the west part of Slovakia—Trnava self-governing region (Trnava region) as two regions with a similar position regarding regional competitiveness index. Following the topic, after identification of strengths and weaknesses of mentioned regions, the opportunities, and threats of sustainable development of infrastructure in rural areas have been analyzed using the SWOT method. The development of sustainable, reliable, and functional infrastructure does not only refer to the chosen regions of Poland and Slovakia but also other regions in the European Union. Sustainable infrastructure is a factor stimulating social and economic progress as one of the most important determinants of sustainable development and regional competitiveness. The authors notice a particular lack in the sustainable development of infrastructure in the field of water and sewerage management together with the supply of water. Therefore, this article tries to complete the gap in research focusing on the concept of a more systematic approach to technical infrastructure improvement in the context of sustainable development, and strategy of cooperation.

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User Experience of Green Building Certification Resources: EarthCraft Multifamily

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13147871 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 7871

Author(s):

Dwayne Jefferson ◽

Frederick Paige ◽

Philip Agee ◽

France Jackson

Keyword(s):

User Experience ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Green Building ◽

Interview Data ◽

Project Delivery ◽

Heuristic Evaluation ◽

Sustainable Infrastructure ◽

Evaluation Data ◽

Environmentally Responsible ◽

The Impact

To improve the construction industry’s capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure, guidance on delivering green building systems needs to be more usable. Green buildings have certifications and ratings in place that ensure that projects are environmentally responsible and meet standards in resource efficiency. EarthCraft Multifamily (ECMF), an evolving green building certification, has been successful in increasing the delivery of energy-efficient affordable housing, and this study leverages user experience (UX) methodologies to understand how to further improve ECMF and replicate its success. This study identifies the impact ECMF tools and resources, such as the program manual, worksheet, and technical guidelines, have on enhancing project delivery for architects. This study conducted data analysis on project specifications, heuristic evaluation data, and stakeholder interview data. As the strengths and weaknesses of ECMF were identified, knowledge on the usability of the green building certification program was unveiled. Heuristic evaluations data show that accessibility and usability issues are present in ECMF resources. Interview data show that architects’ experiences with ECMF resources were affected by some of the usability issues identified in the heuristic evaluation data. Coded interview transcripts show the most prominent participant-identified improvements represented within the data. Resources need appropriate visual representation such as readability and hierarchy to improve their usability. Understanding how ECMF resources are utilized during project delivery allows for the appropriate content and options to be strategically framed to improve accessibility and enhance user decision making. ECMF resources can allow for the inclusion of a broader set of stakeholders by lowering the level of expertise required for sustainable infrastructure delivery.

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Strategies for Success as an Industrial Chemist

Chemistry International ◽

10.1515/ci-2021-0302 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 4-7

Author(s):

Carolyn Ribes

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Research And Development ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Chemical Industry ◽

Clean Water ◽

Technical Service ◽

Sustainable Infrastructure ◽

Industrial Companies ◽

Global Challenges ◽

Industrial Chemist

Abstract Chemists find careers in the chemical industry very rewarding. The focus is on applied chemistry and in delivering solutions that meet customer needs, whether the customers are other industrial companies or individual consumers. Chemistry provides solutions to the global challenges facing our society, including the need for clean water, nutritious food, improved healthcare and wellness, affordable housing, and sustainable infrastructure. Within industry, chemists serve in a wide variety of roles. The largest fraction may be in research and development (R&D), although opportunities in manufacturing, technical service and development, supply chain, marketing, intellectual property protection, sales and commercial functions, and many other options are also open to chemists who want to apply their skills [1]. I was drawn to a career in industry because I’m results oriented and I wanted my work to be applied immediately and have an impact.

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