Natural environment
The term 'natural environment' refers to the non-human-made surroundings and conditions in which all living and non-living things exist on Earth. The common concept of the natural environment encompasses two different components:
- Ecological units that operate as natural systems (such as soil, vegetation and so on).
- Universal natural resources (such as air and water).
The natural environment is in contrast with the 'built environment' which refers to areas that have been fundamentally transformed and influenced by human activity, such as cities, towns, infrastructure, and so on.
Environmental modelling involves the application of multidisciplinary knowledge to explain, explore and predict the Earth’s response to environmental change, both natural and human-induced.
Construction plays a central role in transforming the natural environment into the built environment, and there are many considerations and restrictions that can apply before a project is given permission to proceed in terms of how it may influence the environment.
For example, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) may be required to ensure that the environmental effects of a proposed development are properly considered. An EIA provides the local planning authority with better information to make a more informed decision about whether permission should be granted and to allow imposition of more appropriate conditionsand obligations to mitigate possible negative impacts.
The green belt is intended to constrain the built environment and prevent it from spreading over the natural environment.
Designing Buildings Wiki has a wide range of articles relating to the environment, including:
- Ancient woodland.
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Biodiversity.
- Blue belt.
- Climate change science.
- Construction environmental management plan.
- Ecological network.
- Ecology and the built environment.
- Environment Agency.
- Environmental engineering.
- Environmental impact.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Environmental modelling.
- Environmental permit.
- Environmental plan.
- Environmental policy.
- Environmental Protection Act.
- Environmental statement.
- Forests.
- Green belt.
- Greenhouse gases.
- Landscape design.
- Local green space.
- Local Nature Reserve.
- National nature reserves.
- National parks.
- Natural England.
- Nature improvement area.
- Protected species.
- Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
- Soil.
- Sustainability.
- Tree preservation order.
- Village greens.
- Water.
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC offers sympathies to Paris on Notre Dame fire, as scale of damage under review
With the assessment of the scale of the fire damage to Notre Dame and its causes still ongoing, the IHBC offers its sympathies to the people of France, Europe and to the world.
Planning approval for restoration of historic border bridge, writes The Berwick Advertiser
Plans to ‘take apart and rebuild’ a historic bridge linking England and Scotland have been approved by Northumberland County Council and its Scottish counterpart.
New House of Commons Library Note on VAT and Churches: from reforms to grants
The House of Commons Library has issued a new Briefing Note that examines how construction work for churches is treated for VAT in the UK.
Norwich Anglia Square: Government calls in tower block plan
An inquiry will decide on a £250m redevelopment of a shopping complex, including 1,250 new homes, after plans were called in by the government.
Dudley council to undertake Unite’s pioneering construction charter
Dudley Council signing up to Unite’s construction charter, a pioneering agreement to ensure that working conditions and building standards on construction projects under the control of the council meet the highest standards.
Historic England’s new guidance on piling reported to engineers
Ground Engineering News has updated readers on Historic England’s (HE) publication of its guidance on piling.
Big Ben's iconic clock face restored to original blue colour
Big Ben's famous clock face has been unveiled in its new blue colour following more than a year of restoration.
Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS): ‘Planning Bill Could Break the System’
Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS), who represent officials running planning authorities across the country, has warned that the scale of new responsibilities to be introduced in the Planning Bill could break the back of an already under-resourced system.
Historic England launches new heritage apprenticeships
Historic England (HE) has launched new apprenticeships intended to meet the demand for skilled professionals around the country.
IHBC Tech Panel lead Prof John Edwards has made the case to members of the CIOB that Conservation is driving quality in construction.
Prince Charles: Future of built heritage could be endangered by traditional skills shortage
The Prince of Wales stated that the future of Britain’s built heritage could be endangered by the threat to traditional building craft skills, so a programme within the Prince’s Foundation was aimed at supporting them.
The Iron Bridge reopens to the public following £3.6 Million Project
English Heritage's £3.6 million conservation project to repair and restore the Iron Bridge in Shropshire has been completed and it is now open to the public.