This year the SAWomEng Conference launches it's exciting Technical project entitled:


The current rapid urbanisation is contributing to a growing demand for energy, water and basic services in cities. This, coupled with the current global crisis (i.e. global warming and population growth), creates an urgent need to reduce the energy and other resources consumed in the construction and use of building materials, as well as to improve the efficiency of urban planning. To develop sustainably, it is important that urban development strategies include ecological sustainability criteria relating to food security, sanitation, solid waste disposal, energy and building materials. The primary objective of the technical project is to actively promote resource efficient construction of new or renovated buildings and to minimize the negative environmental impacts of the built environment, whilst maximizing positive social and economic impacts.

As a delegate at the SAWomEng Conference 2011, you will be tasked with providing innovative solutions by identifying the major issues that must be tackled during the sustainable design of buildings. Because the concept of green buildings covers a vast literature it is imperative that delegates have a foundation of information required to tackle the problem efficiently, prior to attending the conference. To help familiarize you with the concept, all prospective delegates are required to take part in the ONLINE CHALLENGE. To be considered as an applicant, it is necessary that you complete all 4 online challenges. Recommended readings are provided with each challenge to give you background information and help you engage with the challenge. Please see the website for further details.