What is a built environment? Everything you need to know about

Last Updated on July 27, 2022 by Admin

In this article, we will discuss what is a built environment and some of the components and career options in a built environment. This will help you to understand what it is and how it works.

A built environment combines all the physical elements that make up a place – from the ground up, from the foundation up to the surface. These elements can be anything from roads and buildings to parks and gardens.

Table of Contents

Definition of the built environment

The built environment is the physical surroundings in which people live, work, and play. It includes buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The built environment can positively or negatively impact people’s lives. Positive effects include increased safety and productivity. Adverse effects include air pollution and decreased quality of life.

What is a Built Environment?

A built environment is the physical manifestation of a space designed for human occupancy. In other words, the design and construction of spaces allow people to live, work, and play. Architects design and create buildings, landscapes, public spaces, transportation systems, and other structures.

An environment can be thought of as a system made up of interconnected parts. Each part has a role in creating the overall system and must work together to provide a comfortable and functional environment.

There are many different types of built environments, each with unique features and capabilities. Some commonly built environments include residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, industrial areas, and tourist destinations.

Each type of built environment has unique challenges and requirements that must be considered when designing or constructing it.

Types of Built Environments

There are many types of built environments, each with unique features and benefits. Here are the three most common types:

Industrial: This environment is typically found in large, centralized hubs. It’s often used for manufacturing and other industrial activities that require a lot of space. Industrial built environments can be very noisy and densely populated, making them challenging to work in and requiring specialized equipment and training.

Retail: Retail environments are typically located in shopping malls and other commercial areas. They’re designed to provide customers with a comfortable and convenient shopping experience. Retail environments often have wide corridors and plenty of space for shoppers to browse without feeling crowded.

Residential: Residential built environments are typically found in suburban areas and new housing developments. They’re designed to provide residents with a comfortable, safe, and convenient lifestyle. These environments can vary widely in layout and design, but they all share one common goal: to create a comfortable place to live.

Commercial: A commercial built environment is a collection of structures and features used to generate revenue. These structures include office buildings, shopping centers, factories, and more. They all have one common goal: to make money for the businesses that operate them. The built environment can have a significant impact on the way people live and work. It can even change the way people think about cities. That’s why it’s essential to understand it fully.

Built Environment Industry Trends

The built environment industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It has a lot to offer both businesses and consumers. Businesses can benefit from the increased safety and efficiency of having a well-built structure.

The built environment industry is expected to grow at 7.4% over the next five years. This growth is primarily due to the increase in infrastructure spending, which is projected to be worth $2.2 trillion by 2025.

The demand for new and improved buildings is also driving the industry forward. Consumers can enjoy the features and benefits of modern construction, such as energy efficiency, weatherproofing, and noise reduction.

The Components of a Built Environment

A built environment is the collection of everything that exists in a particular location- from the ground up. To understand what makes up a built environment, it’s essential first to understand what comprises a building.

A building comprises four primary components: the exterior, the interior, the structural frame, and the finishes.

The exterior of a building is its visible layer. This might include walls, windows, doors, and roofs. It’s essential to remember that a building’s appearance is only one aspect of its overall design- the exterior can also impact how well it functions as a shelter. Poorly constructed exteriors, wind and rain penetration, and heat loss can leak.

The interior of a building is where people live, work, and play. It’s also where most of the building’s systems are located- from plumbing to heating and cooling systems. The interior should ensure easy access for maintenance personnel, comfortable temperature ranges for people of all ages and abilities, and enough space for residents to move around freely.

The structural frame is the foundation on which the other components of a built environment are built. This frame includes things like the building’s walls, floors, and ceilings.

It also includes the materials that make up these walls, floors, and ceilings. The structural frame can support a lot of weight, so it’s essential to ensure that it’s properly designed and constructed.

A building’s finish is the total of all the materials and techniques used to create a final product. It can include the exterior of the building, the flooring, walls and ceilings, fixtures, finishes, and hardware.

Every part of a building must be designed and constructed to meet specific requirements, and every finish must be chosen carefully to create a harmonious whole.

Apart from the above, the other 7 components of the built environment affect human health: air quality, ambient noise, climate, land use and development patterns, physical activity, public spaces, and transportation.

Each one has a significant impact on our well-being. Air quality can cause respiratory problems, while climate can increase the risk of illnesses such as heart disease or stroke.

Land use and development patterns can lead to overcrowding or lack of access to essential resources, while physical activity can help reduce weight and improve overall health.

Public spaces and transportation can promote social interaction and improve mental well-being, contributing to obesity and physical inactivity.

The Built Environment in Architecture

The built environment is the physical environment in which people live and work. It includes everything from the ground up, including buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Architects design the built environment to meet the needs of a specific community or population. They often consider factors such as climate, topography, and socio-economic factors.

Architects use many different techniques to create a desirable built environment. Some standard techniques include traditional architecture, modern architecture, and postmodern architecture.

Each type of architecture has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, traditional architecture is often associated with formal gardens and majestic buildings.

Modern architecture is more lightweight and sleek, making it more suitable for urban areas. Postmodern architecture is characterized by its lack of structure or continuity between elements. This allows architects to experiment with different styles without fear of offending traditionalists.

What are the Careers Options in Built Environments

There is a growing demand for skilled people designing and building physical environments. This is due to the increasing popularity of smart cities and the need for more sustainable, efficient, and livable neighborhoods.

Many career options are available in built environments, including architecture, engineering, construction management, and urban planning.

If you’re interested in this field, having a solid foundation in math and science is essential. You’ll also need to be able to problem-solve and think critically.

Some of the most common careers include engineers, architects, construction managers, and environmental scientists.

These professionals are responsible for designing, creating, and managing buildings and other structures. They also ensure that these buildings are environmentally friendly and meet all safety standards.

Built Environment Courses

If you’re interested in a career in the built environment, you’ll want to consider taking a course in construction management.

There are many different types of construction jobs, and you’ll need to have a solid foundation to be successful. A construction management courses will teach you how to manage projects from start to finish.

You’ll learn how to coordinate the efforts of multiple contractors and how to budget for and manage your project. If you’re interested in a career in architecture or engineering, a course in construction management will give you the foundation you need to succeed.

Kindly check the most recommended construction management courses below to make your career in Build Environment.

The Impact of a Built Environment on People

The built environment significantly impacts people’s lives, both in terms of their daily activities and overall well-being.

The built environment can have a significant impact on people’s health. For example, poorly designed streets can be dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, while poorly maintained buildings can lead to hazardous conditions such as poor air quality.

In addition, a poorly built environment can lead to social isolation and feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction.

The built environment also has a significant impact on people’s emotions. Poorly designed streets can create anxiety and stress, while poorly designed public spaces can evoke feelings of alienation and loneliness. In addition, a poorly designed built environment can lead to feelings of anger and frustration.

Overall, the built environment has a significant impact on people’s lives. It is essential that architects and designers pay attention to its design to ensure that it impacts us positively rather than negatively.

How to Create a Healthy and Sustainable Built Environment

The built environment refers to our daily physical spaces – our homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces. It encompasses everything from the materials used in construction to the way that people interact with each other.

A healthy and sustainable built environment is one that is environmentally friendly and comfortable for people to live in, work in, and visit. It should also be safe and functional.

Several factors go into creating a healthy and sustainable built environment, including:

Sustainability: Ensuring the built environment is sustainable means conserving resources and reducing waste.

Climate change: The climate is changing, and our built environment dramatically impacts how much heat or cold we experience. We must consider modifying our buildings to make them more energy efficient.

Innovation: We need to be innovative to create sustainable and functional buildings. New construction technologies are needed to make buildings more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

A built environment comprises all physical and natural elements that form a community or organization. It includes everything from the materials used to construct buildings and structures to the landscaping and public spaces surrounding them.

When designing a building or project, it’s essential to consider its practical uses and impact on the surrounding environment. You can create a functional and sustainable environment by understanding how your decisions – from selecting materials to designing public space – will affect both people and nature.

FAQs

What are the examples of a built environment?

A built environment is any physical space designed or constructed by humans. It can be a building, a road, a city, or even an entire country. Examples of a built environment include hospitals, prisons, schools, and offices. Buildings, in particular, can have many different features, such as elevators, corridors, and staircases. Roads can have sidewalks, bike lanes, and guardrails. Cities can have parks and plazas. And countries can have monuments and statues.

What are the main components of the built environment?

Many different components make up the built environment. These components can include roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures. They all play a role in how people interact with the surrounding environment and how they live.