Sustainability and Steel Housing in North Cyprus and Mediterranean Region

ABSTRACT: The accelerated deterioration of the human environment and natural resources and the serious consequences on economic and social developments are enough reasons to believe that sustainable development (SD) is the most important and adequate action to overcome these problems. Sustainable buildings are extremely effective on the reduction of the causes of global warming, dangerous environmental impacts and the problems associated with the economical growth fluctuations. The characteristics of SD in building industry, structural and architectural design, by considering the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) statements and Green Building Rating System, are investigated. The critical environmental impacts in the Mediterranean region and specifically in North Cyprus and possible practical solutions for overcoming such problems are also discussed. This attempt is in line with the consideration of sustainable developments to reveal modification on economic, environmental and social safety in Northern Cyprus. This research provides a general idea about issues of sustainability in structural and architectural, design, construction, utilization and end of the building structure life with the integration of the building with environment by an in-depth comparison between steel and reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The contribution of four sustainable building characteristics, structural modeling, architectural plan and questionnaire on sustainable building in North Cyprus relating to appraisal of RC and steel structural material is discussed. In addition, the benefits of sustainable building and the necessary urgent actions to be taken to achieve it are suggested. Following the general investigation regarding the sustainability issues in the building industry of North Cyprus and the Mediterranean region, a case study comparing a building with RC versus a structural steel alternative was carried out to demonstrate which framing material provides a more sustainable building. As a result of this comparison between a RC and steel framed structure, it was revealed that the steel framed building is more sustainable and more economical for construction. A steel framed structure satisfies the critical issues relating to sustainable building, which are sustainable design, sustainable construction, sustainable utilization and sustainable end of life, more than the RC framed building. Keywords: Sustainability; Sustainable Development; Sustainable Housing; RC Structure, Steel Structure; Recycling; Solid Waste Material; North Cyprus. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………