Advanced Studies in Energy Efficiency and Built Environment for Developing Countries

Global efforts towards ensuring sustainability in renewable resources and energy efficiency strategies have acquired the attention of the scientific and professional communities nowadays. Nevertheless, many developing countries are still unaware of the significance of recycling and reusing materials to minimize waste and reduce the demand on natural resources. This book is a chance at improving the sustainability concept in developing countries which requires a major reorganization of lifestyle, economy, engineering, industry, science, and other human activities that produce an environmental footprint and increase the consumption of natural resources. The book proposes wide perspectives to researchers and all interested parties about the functions of the natural systems and possible new solutions to counteract ecology's damage produced by anthropic actions. It also acknowledges that human civilization needs resources to sustain the modern way of life. Therefore, countless examples throughout human history where a civilization has been damaging its own environment are, thus, analyzed and discussed in this book. This book aims to develop certain guidelines for individuals and citizens as the main characters of environmental sustainability. The book could also be used as a reference for institutions and policy makers to activate their plan of taking immediate action since the technology has reached an acceptable readiness level for the market. Decision makers are also invited to read this book to experience and take advantage of a variety of case studies and "lesson learned" experiences where effective environmental sustainability plans have been executed in cities and other communities.