The Chair Eco-design of buildings and infrastructure, a partnership between three engineering colleges (MINES ParisTech, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech and AgroParisTech) and the VINCI group, aims to create measurement and simulation tools which integrate all the dimensions of eco-design (greenhouse gas emissions, impact on biodiversity and resource levies, etc.) to become real decision-making tools, based on a scientific approach, for all actors in the city (designers, builders and users). This book reviews the second five-year sequence of the Chair, first presenting methodological advances in eco-design: life cycle assessment and quantification of uncertainties; local environmental impacts of transport and biodiversity. The interdisciplinary partnership, also associating the human sciences, shows its interest in taking into account the human factor in the modelling of urban systems. This modelling is based on several numerical simulation tools, presented in the third part. This theoretical set results in more substantial proposals for the renewal of techniques and systems, in terms of energy management strategies in buildings, urban agriculture, participatory data collection and digital transformation in transport. This book is intended for urban planners, local authorities, building owners, architects, design offices, companies, building managers, teacher-researchers and anyone interested in the environmental quality of our living spaces.

« Éviter, réduire, compenser » n’est pas un slogan, mais une séquence juridique qui fixe les trois objectifs progressifs essentiels qui constituent l’une des principales clés de la politique française de protection de la biodiversité. Cette séquence impose, pour tout projet, plan, programme ou aménagement quiaffecte l’environnement, d’abord d’éviter d’y porter atteinte, ensuite de réduire les impacts connus et, en dernier lieu, de compenser ceux qui n’ont pu être ni évités, ni suffisamment réduits.Cet ouvrage, qui permet de passer des grands principes à la pratique, propose une présentation d’ensemble de l’arsenal législatif et réglementaire disponible (loi sur la reconquête de la biodiversité, de la nature et des paysages de 2016 et les apports de la loi portant lutte contre le dérèglement climatique et renforcement de la résilience face à ses effets) et des différentes jurisprudences permettant d’apprécier la réelle efficacité du dispositif.Malgré un sujet très peu développé par les dispositions législatives et réglementaires, cet ouvrage :– définit les notions juridiques de la séquence dite « ERC » (partie 1) ;– détaille le champ d’application et sa mise en oeuvre par le droit public (partie 2) ;– explique sa mise en oeuvre par le droit privé (partie 3) ;– et enfin, précise les éléments de contrôle et de sanction de la séquence ERC tout en abordant ses aspects contentieux (partie 4). Cet ouvrage permet aux juristes d’avoir une connaissance précise du sujet mais, au-delà, à tous les citoyens, qui ont pris conscience de l’enjeu de la biodiversité au même titre que de celui du climat, de comprendre les enjeux juridiques de la séquence « ERC ».

Faking Nature explores the arguments surrounding the concept of ecological restoration. This is a crucial process in the modern world and is central to companies' environmental policy; whether areas restored after ecological destruction are less valuable than before the damage took place. Elliot discusses the pros and cons of the argument and examines the role of humans in the natural world. This volume is a timely and provocative analysis of the simultaneous destruction and restoration of the natural world and the ethics related to those processes, in an era of accelerated environmental damage and repair.

Recognizing the importance of wetland protection, the Bush administration in 1988 endorsed the goal of "no net loss" of wetlands. Specifically, it directed that filling of wetlands should be avoided, and minimized when it cannot be avoided. When filling is permitted, compensatory mitigation must be undertaken; that is, wetlands must be restored, created, enhanced, and, in exceptional cases, preserved, to replace the permitted loss of wetland area and function, such as water quality improvement within the watershed. After more than a dozen years, the national commitment to "no net loss" of wetlands has been evaluated. This new book explores the adequacy of science and technology for replacing wetland function and the effectiveness of the federal program of compensatory mitigation in accomplishing the nation's goal of clean water. It examines the regulatory framework for permitting wetland filling and requiring mitigation, compares the mitigation institutions that are in use, and addresses the problems that agencies face in ensuring sustainability of mitigated wetlands over the long term. Gleaning lessons from the mixed results of mitigation efforts to date, the book offers 10 practical guidelines for establishing and monitoring mitigated wetlands. It also recommends that federal, state, and local agencies undertake specific institutional reforms. This book will be important to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the "no net loss" issue: policy makers, regulators, environmental scientists, educators, and wetland advocates.

Timescapes of Modernity explores the relationship between time and environmental and socio-cultural concerns. Using examples such as the BSE crisis, the Sea Empress oil pollution and the Chernobyl radiation Barbara Adam argues that environmental hazards are inescapably tied to the successes of the industrial way of life. Global markets and economic growth; large-scale production of food; the speed of transport and communication; the 24 hour society and even democratic politics are among the invisible hazards we face. With this unique 'timescape' perspective the author dislodges assumptions about environmental change, enables a rethinking of environmental problems and provides the potential for new strategies to deal with environmental hazards.