Publications review

Published by UNCHS (Habitat)

Bibliography on Passive Solar Systems in Buildings

Nearly half of the world's commercial energy is consumed in buildings in order to provide indoor comfort. However, the natural environment can be used to reduce energy requirements in buildings by making use of passive energy systems which can contribute to indoor comfort. In order to promote standards and technologies for the provision of economically efficient infrastructure, the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) has prepared this bibliography to provide professionals, such as designers, architects and engineers concerned with construction and rehabilitation of buildings, with information on passive solar systems and allied subjects from the available literature, to encourage them to make maximum use of energy-conserving devices and systems.

The bibliography lists selected references on passive solar systems in buildings. It includes information for those concerned with the reconstruction and retrofitting of buildings, especially in developing countries. The bibliography covers the following parts: (a) general reading list; (b) bibliography by topics, covering passive solar technology, heating, cooling, building materials and construction techniques and solar radiation and climate; (c) annotated bibliography; and (d) descriptor index to part (b). The list of literature covered is in the form of books, conference proceedings, journals, reports, papers and articles. There is also an annex which lists references of specialist publishers.

68 pp. HS/173/89: ISBN 92-1-131094-8

Corrosion Damage to Concrete Structures in Western Asia

With the present-day understanding of the problem, it is possible to prevent corrosion by a proper choice of materials admixtures and by following sound construction practices that will produce concrete of good quality. It is also possible to prevent corrosion by providing, where the importance of the structure justifies, cathodic protection which reverses the electrochemical process that causes corrosion.

This monograph explains the phenomenon of corrosion and deals with the repair of structures damaged by corrosion, corrosion-monitoring techniques, and the steps to be taken to prevent corrosion.

33 pp. HS/204/90E: ISBN 92-1-131122-5

Executive Summary of the Global Report on Human Settlements

The Global Report on Human Settlements was prepared by UNCHS (Habitat) and published by Oxford University Press in 1987. The Global Report was prepared under the General Assembly's mandate and documents world-wide settlements conditions and trends so as to assist governments in improving their settlements policies, plans and programmes. It is dedicated to those who, in spite of limited means and the financial and physical odds with which they are confronted, are at this moment building or improving their own habitat, to those whose wisdom and inspiration prompted the world community to embrace the concept of human settlements, and to the planners and builders who believe that the world can become a better place to live in.

The executive summary highlights the main issues and findings of the Global Report on Human Settlements and is considered as a synthesis of the main topics covered in the main report.

45 pp. HS/129/88E: ISBN 92-1-131055-5

Energy for Building - Improving Energy Efficiency in Construction and in the Production of Building Materials in Developing Countries

The link between energy production and use and the local and global environment is causing increasing concern world-wide. There is also a growing demand for environmental impact assessments of all building projects which should include consideration of embodied energy.

This publication examines the question of energy efficiency in building materials from the point of view of producers of building materials, building designers and builders. Producers will want to know how they can change their production processes so as to reduce energy consumption (and cost), how energy consumption can be reduced by changing the raw materials and the product mix specification used, and how energy costs can be reduced by changing to different energy sources.

Producers and builders will also want to know what techniques are available for application now, and what techniques are currently under development or might become available in the near future. The publication is also intended to be of use to policy-makers in the field of housing and construction who will be interested in the conclusions of the report about the most effective actions to be taken by each group.

104 pp. HS/250/91E: ISBN 92-1-131174-8