Energy and Climate in the Urban Built Environment

11

Appropriate materials for the urban environment

M. Santamouris

Department of Applied Physics, University of Athens

 

 

GENERAL AND PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES

Traditionally, the materials used to build houses and cities tended to come from what lay around and what could be used. This is why the original American settlers built their houses from wood, mud or even straw and why Aberdeen was built of granite.¹ In contrast, the materials for modern houses and cities are international in origin and a much wider selection is available. The building sector is responsible for the 50% of the material resources taken from nature,² and thus appropriate selection ...