Introduction to the Built Environment: Analysis of Birmingham Library Project

This report analyzes the Birmingham Library project in the context of the built environment, identifying professionals involved, project lifecycle, and benefits to the UK economy and local communities.

Introduction to the Built
Environment

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Investigation various sectors of the built environment and select a project................................1
Selection of an example of the project........................................................................................2
Identification of main professionals and professional bodies involved in the project................4
Benefits of the construction to the economy of the UK and local communities.........................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Built environment can be described as the environment which touches different aspects of life,
including different building in which we live and distribution system that provides water and
electricity to a person. It offers roads, bridges as well as a transportation system used by a person
from one place to place (Akinradewo and et. al., 2022). It is a structure that provides people with
living, recreational space and working. It is creating different types of spaces and systems which
require different quality of the material. The built environment includes everything which is
human-created, modified as well as constructed.
This project report consists analyzation of the Birmingham library which is a public library in
England. It is a project which is the situation in the west side of the centre. It is a project which
was started on the year 3rd September 2013. The cost of this library is around £188.8 million. It is
one of the largest cultural spaces in Europe and also, one of the large public cultural spaces in
Europe. There are around 2,414,860 visitors came to this place in the year 2014 that making it
one of the most popular places in the UK for the attraction of visitors.
This project report includes an investigation of different factors required in the built environment
as well as the selection of the project. It also includes a selection of the project that exists in one
of the sectors that consists of details of the background of the project. It identifies different
factors related to the project like when it started and different phases of the project. It consists
main professionals and professional bodies involved in the project along with their roles and
responsibilities involved and their contributions to the project. This report highlights the different
benefits of the construction industry to the UK economy and local communities.
MAIN BODY
Investigation various sectors of the built environment and select a project
There are different sectors to be included in the build environment and the construction industry.
These construction projects can be conducted publicly, privately as well as through municipal
agencies. These projects are related to highways, residential structures, facilities and pipelines
(Collins and et. al., 2020). Explanation of different sectors included in the build environment are
mentioned below:
Residential project: Residential construction is one which is defined as remodelling, repairing
as well as repairing of the building and structure from the group as well as modifications to the
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overall structure whether it is from exterior and interior. Residential construction is a building
that is meant to house, people, supplies as well as equipment. It includes different people
Institutional and Commercial: It is another sector of the construction industry that includes
schools, medical facilities including sports arenas, hospitals, retail stores, stadiums, skyscrapers,
and shopping centres. It is one of the segments in which construction consists of everything from
maintaining of building to the eventual modifications (Ding, Cao and Wang, 2018).
Specialised: It is also a construction field that is specialized and also technologically advanced.
It is providing support to residential as well as institutional construction. It is a project which is
classified as one of specialized industrial construction that consists of building structure that
deals with chemical, power and medical generator.
Infrastructure and heavy sector: It is the construction sector that add road communication
towers and railways towards the surrounding of the existing building. It is a sector that is built as
well as served for purpose of public interest and also funded by private companies or
government agencies (Whistance-Smith, 2022). It includes highways tunnels, transit systems,
overpasses, drainage and another project.
Selection of an example of the project
Select a project that exists in one of the sectors and provide a detailed background of the
project
The project selected for this project is the specialized project which is a library in the UK. It is
designed for the purpose of getting the attention of the visitors. It is a project which is based on
technology and also provides support to residential as well as institutional construction.
Birmingham Library is a UK-based project that is based on technology and one of the most
attractive place for the tourist (Fuchs and et. al., 2019). It is a place which is attracting number of
tourist in the UK and allow them to eanr from them. Architect of this project is the Francine
Houben and the architect firm is part of Mecanoo Architect. The structural engineer of this
Birmingham Library is Buro Happold. The budget of this project is £8.5 million.
Identify when the project started and was completed and describe the types of activities
that took place in the main phases of the project
Birmingham Library is a project which started in Birmingham in England as a public library. It is
one of the projects that attracted a number of visitors to the library and it is becoming of an
attractive place in the UK. The council of Birmingham city is looking for relocating the library
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for many years. The plan behind this is to build a completely new library in the East side district.
It has been open for the city centre due to demolition in context to the Masshouse Circus. It is a
library that was designed by Richard Rogers. There are different financial reasons as well as
reservation due to which this plan got cancelled (Manu and Akotia, 2021). A suggestion is also
made by the council that it can be split into a new building built and a building at Millennium
Point existing in the East Side.
In the year 2006 August, it is confirmed by the council that this project will start between the
Rep Theatre as well as Baskerville House. The council wants to create a world-class landmark
civic building and for this, they assigned Capita Symonds as a project manager. There is also an
international design competition taking place in the Royal Institution of British Architects among
which seven architects were shortlisted on 27 March 2008 (Yevu, Ann and Darko, 2021). In
August 2008, Mecanoo and multi-discipline engineer, Buro Happold are announced as the
winners of the design competition. A detailed plan for the library was revealed in the year 2009
April. The work of the library was started in the year 2015.
Refer to the project lifecycle discussed in class
There are different stages included in the project life cycle which is important for the purpose of
completion of different stages. Explanation of different stages of project life cycle are mentioned
below:
Land: It is one of the stages which includes the use of land and is considered as a foundation for
the purpose of economic development environmental management and social stability. It is the
sage which is related to competing for the demand that consists of infrastructure, biodiversity,
agriculture, development, industry, urbanisation and others (Pauwels, Costin and Rasmussen,
2022). It is a resource which is limited, so it is important for the project managers to manage the
land in a careful manner.
Planning and design: It is another stage that consists of planning as well as design which is
responsible for purpose of developing secure, safe as well as integrated communities. It is also
creating an impact on the different stages through looking at finance, infrastructure, mobility,
building and amenities in a more holistic way. It allows a person to creatively find out about
different challenges in climate change, economic development as well as demographic changes.
Construction and refurbishment: It is a complex process that is focusing on the transformation
of the design into reality in the context to the building, as well as infrastructure, is developed. In
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comparison to industry, construction is unique and also, they need to require the setting of supply
chains which allow them to ensure alignment as well as the collaboration of different
stakeholders that is focusing on the reduction of wastage and also for maximisation of value.
Occupation management and use: It is one of the stages that includes the use of buildings that
affect the daily lives of people. The building also creates an impact on the productivity, health,
well-being and safety of the occupant that offer adequate living as well as working condition for
all members (Pishdad-Bozorgi, Gao and Shelden, 2020). It allows them to use the sustainability
for purpose of reduction of environmental footprints for the built environment.
Demolition recycling and redevelopment: This stage consists of when a building is in useful in
life, the project team needs to demolish, and refurbish which allows them to use alternatives.
This stage consists of management which is important for purpose of maximisation of reuse as
well as recycling and minimising the wastage in order to ensure landfill.
Investment and finance: It is the last stage of the project life cycle which needs to be funded in
context to equity as well as debt. It is one of the terms which consists of real estate that is
considered as an attractive asset class for purpose of investment. It includes institutional
investors for long-term goals like pensions as well as insurers.
Identification of main professionals and professional bodies involved in the project
There are different professional bodies are involved in a project who has involved for different
for purposes of completion of the project. Stakeholders have power and interest in the project for
a different reason that ensures the completion of the project in an effective manner. Some of
these members included in the project are the council of Birmingham city, the architect of the
project, engineer, workers, the project manager and other people (Raiden and King, 2021). All
these members have their own roles and responsibility for purpose of completing of the project.
The council of Birmingham city is announcing the development of the Birmingham library. It is
focusing on making it an attractive place for the tourist for the purpose of making England as a
wonderful place.
Another stakeholder also includes architects who designed the project in an effective manner.
The design of the project makes it different and attractive for tourists and visitors. It is also
important for the visitor for the purpose of designing the design of the project in an effective
manner that provides light, air and other things in a sufficient manner in the building. The
engineer is another stakeholder included in the project who is contributing for purpose of
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completing the construction work in an effective manner. They ensure the development of the
building with less wastage and harm. These people also contribute for purpose of ensuring the
execution of the overall project and they estimate the overall project. Engineers organized the
material at the workplace which provides them guidance to save material from wastage. They
also ensure the availability of safety equipment and tools at the site (Santamouris, 2021). It is
important for the business for purpose of competing in the project without harming others.
Engineers also gather the data related to the site, compile the report and also deliver it to the
different relevant stakeholders.
Another team is also contributing for the purpose of completing of the project. They are ensuring
team working and also finding out different issues. These issues are also solved by them for
purpose of attainment of the project. All these stakeholders have different roles and
responsibilities for the purpose of contributing to the attainment of the objectives of the
construction project.
Benefits of the construction to the economy of the UK and local communities
Discussion of social benefits of the project for the local community:
The construction project of the Birmingham library is important for the business which creates
different benefits for the local people and community. It is a project which takes place for
purpose of social development as it will improve the knowledge of people (Shi and et. al., 2021).
It is a project which is providing resources to people for studies and also for the development of
their knowledge and learning. An Explanation of some of these benefits of the Birmingham
library project is mentioned below:
 Increasing knowledge and skills: Birmingham library is a project that consists of
different types of learning resources for people. It includes different videos, audio and
books and other things. It is a place that provides an opportunity to people to read books
and other things for purpose of enhancing of skills and capabilities of them.
 Job creation: There are different types of job opportunities to occur in the UK with the
construction of the Birmingham library as it allows people for purpose of educating
themselves. It is also important for purpose of making people capable which enables
them to start new businesses. It is important in order to create job opportunities for the
local people. Also, for conducting construction projects, different employees are required.
So, construction work itself also creates employment opportunities for the local people.
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 Workforce development: Birmingham library is one of the projects which is providing
knowledge and learning to different people. It will allow a person to enhance knowledge
by reading books that allow them for purpose of learning new things. It is important for
their personal development and social development (Tang and et. al., 2021). It allows
local people to improve themselves and get new opportunities in life. It also allows
businesses to get skills and a talented workforce in their organisation.
 Services for the disabled: Birmingham library is also contributing to social benefits as it
provides services for disabled people. These people need some activities in life which
will help them to keep themselves busy. For this, this project provides services to the
person which are disabled for a person.
Discussion of financial benefits of the project brought with the UK economy
Birmingham Library is one of the construction projects that create various financial benefits for
the economy of the UK. It is a project which creates development among people that improve the
literacy of people, makes them educated to start a new business and other things. It is
contributing to the economy of the UK. Completion of this project creates different benefits for
the purpose of the UK economy which are mentioned below:
 Attracting new residents and visitors: Birmingham library is one of the projects which
is an attractive place for new visitors and also it attracts residents. It is important for the
economy of the UK as it allows them to earn foreign exchange and get the opportunity
from other country people (Thondoo and et. al., 2021).
 Supporting small businesses: The construction project of the Birmingham library is also
providing support to small businesses. It will help students and other people to read a new
book and get ideas to start a business. It will ensure business development in their
country and also it will attract more people which allow business in order to increase
their swales.
 Impacting literacy rates: Birmingham library is an important project which will allow
students and other people to sit and read the books and focus on study. It is important as
it provides study material and resources to students which enable them to literate people.
It will literate people that create a positive situation for the economy of a country
(Turnbull, 2021).
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 General economic impact: Birmingham library is a project which is contributing to the
economy in a great context as it attracts a number of visitors and writers that allow them
to earn foreign exchange. It will also increase the attractiveness of the economy. It will
increase the values of a country in comparison to other countries.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned project report, it can be concluded that the construction project is
one of the projects which ensures the development of the building in an effective manner. There
are different sectors of construction project which includes Residential project, Institutional and
Commercial, Specialised, Infrastructure and heavy sector. It is important for the project manager
to consider the requirements of all these types of projects and ensure the completion of the
project in an effective manner. There are different types of stages including for purpose of
development of the project which starts from the land and then designing of the building,
construction and refurbishment, occupation management and use, demolition recycling and
redevelopment, investment and finance. There are different types of professional bodies are
included in the completion of the project. All these members include the architect of the project,
engineer, workers, the project manager and other people. All these members have their own roles
and responsibility for purpose of completing the project. It includes the council of England
which is focusing on the development of the country. Another stakeholder also includes
architects who designed the project in an effective manner. The design of the project makes it
different and attractive for tourists and visitors. The engineer is another stakeholder included in
the project who is contributing for purpose of completing the construction work in an effective
manner. They ensure the development of the building with less wastage and harm. Another team
is also contributing for the purpose of completing of the project. They are ensuring team working
and also finding out different issues. There are different types of social and financial benefits of
these projects for the company. It is contributing to the purpose of increasing knowledge and
skills, job creation, workforce development, and services for the disabled. All these are important
benefits for the local people as well as the community. It is also creating different types of
financial benefits.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Policy and Practice, 118, pp.104-118.
Fuchs, S., and et. al., 2019. Recent advances in vulnerability assessment for the built
environment exposed to torrential hazards: Challenges and the way forward. Journal of
hydrology, 575, pp.587-595.
Manu, E. and Akotia, J., 2021. Introduction to secondary research methods in the built
environment. In Secondary Research Methods in the Built Environment (pp. 1-15).
Routledge.
Pauwels, P., Costin, A. and Rasmussen, M.H., 2022. Knowledge Graphs and Linked Data for the
Built Environment. In Industry 4.0 for the Built Environment (pp. 157-183). Springer,
Cham.
Pishdad-Bozorgi, P., Gao, X. and Shelden, D.R., 2020. Introduction to cyber-physical systems in
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development goals in the built environment. Resources, Conservation and
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Santamouris, M., 2021. Present and Future Challenges and Opportunities in the Built
Environment. Bioclimatic Approaches in Urban and Building Design, pp.111-116.
Shi, K., and et. al., 2021. Do e-shopping attitudes mediate the effect of the built environment on
online shopping frequency of e-shoppers?. International Journal of Sustainable
Transportation, pp.1-11.
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Tang, J.Y., and et. al., 2021. The contribution of sense of community to the association between
age-friendly built environment and health in a high-density city: a cross-sectional study
of middle-aged and older adults in Hong Kong. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(12),
pp.1687-1696.
Thondoo, M., and et. al., 2021. The built environment and health in low-and middle-income
countries: a review on quantitative health impact assessments. Current environmental
health reports, pp.1-14.
Turnbull, R., 2021. Healthy, happy places—a more integrated approach to creating health and
well-being through the built environment?. British Medical Bulletin.
Whistance-Smith, G., 2022. Introduction: Expanding the Built Environment. In Expressive
Space (pp. 1-9). De Gruyter Oldenbourg.
Yevu, S.K., Ann, T.W. and Darko, A., 2021. Digitalization of construction supply chain and
procurement in the built environment: Emerging technologies and opportunities for
sustainable processes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 322, p.129093.
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