Geographical studies and environment protection research
Volume X | Issue 2
Industrial Landscape – a Landscape in Transition in the Municipality Area of Bucharest
Abstract: In the municipality area of Bucharest, the capital of a former socialist state, shows profound changes in landscape structure as a result of economic transition towards market economy and the consequent conversion of certain spaces to different uses (more commerce, less industry for example). The approaches regarding the dynamics of the industrial landscape and how conversion process is taking place is however limited. The purpose of the present paper is to define the industrial landscape, current trends and evolution of this landscape type within the urban tissue. Also, models of conversion in the post-industrial landscape are pointed out in this article. The methodology used is based on evaluation sheets that have been applied in several industrial areas in Bucharest. The results obtained from the survey showed that the industrial landscape is experiencing a quick transition, many industrial units are transformed into supermarkets, malls or business buildings, and often the investors choose to demolish the industrial artifacts instead of preserve and use them. These changes are affecting the urban tissue and the communities, not always being good examples.
Volume IX | Issue 9
Indoor Air Quality in Bucharest Housings in the Framework of Present Environmental Changes
Abstract: The indoor air quality represents one of the factors conditioning housing quality in urban residential spaces. The paper analyses the spatial and temporal distribution of parameters defining the indoor air quality from representative housings in Bucharest, correlated with their influence factors. The characterisation of permanent, seasonal and circumstantial influence factors was realised using the US EPA (1991) and WHO (2006) methodologies. Between November 2008 and February 2010 there were applied questionnaires for appreciating the dimension of influence factors inside and outside the housings. In the same time, for determining the values of representative indicators analysing the indoor air quality, measurements were realised in selected housings. From analysing the obtained results, it can be stated that in the indoor habitat of most residential spaces from Bucharest, the quality of air is unsatisfactory, values of human comfort recommended by international legislation being exceeded at indicators such as: volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide or particulate matter. The building’s ventilation systems are mostly dismantled or not functioning, and as a result the thermal isolation of buildings only aggravates these problems as it isn’t compensated with an improvement of the ventilation systems. The significant expansion of areas affected by Sick Building Syndrome, which are economically, ecologically and/or sanitary inefficient, in the framework of recent environmental changes, it requires an integrated approach of problems concerning the air quality management in Bucharest residential spaces.