The Implications of Industrial Design Towards Green Environmental Sustainability in China

Introduction

With the ever proliferating dangers in global environment change and the mismanagement of the environment, there is increased danger of developmental design that might surpass the ability of the earth. As such it is essential that the environmental issues are looked at in line with economic development; there is an emerging need for industries and industrial designs to be transformed (Lu, Geng & He, 2015). According to these authors, such moves as "green structural transformation" come in handy. Lu, Geng and He (2015) state that green structural transformation is the arrangement where companies that emit a lot of carbon decrease their share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) whilst those with less increase the GDP share. As such green structural transformation will lead to a reduction in the impact of the GDP (Guo, 2017).

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In light of the given explanation and because China is at the helm of the struggle for environmental protection, there are efforts towards saving the environment through transforming industrial designs (Yi, 2012). This paper seeks to look into the implications or the industrial designs towards green environmental sustainability and environmental conservation in China. Essentially, the paper will be based on the industrial sector; industrial design in a manner that will support a green, low carbon environment for purposes of sustainability and conservation will be addressed.

Research Questions

• How can the design of industries affect green environmental sustainability and environmental conservation?
• What are the design aspects that affect sustainability and conservation?
• How do industrial emissions influence changes in the environment over time?

Research Objectives and Problem Statements

• To find out the manner in which industrial emissions affect the environment over time

Problem statement: evidently, the reason that the design aspects are being looked into is that the environment is affected by emissions and especially carbon emissions. In light of this, having an insight into the manner that these emissions will affect the environment will have an effect on the manner that the designers will enhance their industrial structures to be compliant with the design aspects (Khan and Chang, 2018; Fu et al., 2007; Liu & Raven, 2010; Ciambrone, 2018).

• To find out the manner in which various industrial design aspects may implicate the pursuit of green environmental sustainability and environmental conservation in China.

Problem statement: Considering that there are various possible design aspects that exist, it is likely that some of the aspects affect the manner the industries contribute to environmental degradation and pollution. As such, this part will seek to look into the aspects of design that will affect or assist towards the pursuit for green environmental sustainability and conservation (Kibert, 2016; Bhamra & Lofthouse, 2016; Wolch, Byrne & Newell, 2014).

• To find out the design aspects that affect sustainability and conservation

Problem statement: The research focuses on the implications of design. Therefore, it is feasible to find out what designs are being referred to. In consideration of the assertion that some of the industrial design aspects affect the conservation of the environment, finding out which design aspects precisely affect environmental issues. This part will, therefore, seek to look into the precise design areas that need to be addressed in assisting the designers to meet the objectives insinuated in the paper (Day, 2017; Lechner, 2014).

Literature Review

Zhou (2015), using the ecological modernization framework, analyzes the green building program in China. The paper seeks to find out the input of stakeholders in the program. Using interviews with planners, architects, surveyors and a couple of other stakeholders, the authors showcase the profit motives of most building owners and the need to avoid over depending on top-down state-based approaches that impact design issues.

Lu, Geng and He (2015) aim to thoroughly look into the "Industrial Transformation and Green Production" (ITGP) initiative and its major objectives. Major elements of green transformation and clean perspectives on green transformation such as the effects of policy on the reduction of the capacity for backward production of emissions suffice (Lu, Geng & He, 2015). Further, the authors posit that, in developing various transformation scenarios, there is a need for integration of various policies that promote green industries, use of multidisciplinary approaches and system innovation techniques, collaboration with stakeholders on governance and management of risks and uncertainties.

Following the huge pressure on the environment as a result of the Chinese industrial expansion, the government is taking extra steps towards promoting the transformation of industries (DRC-OECD, 2017). Such issues as structural adjustments to the industries have also been suggested with the aim of enhancing performance as well as efficiency (DRC-OECD, 2017). As such, China looks at focusing on the structural imbalances that might seek to focus on changes in industrial designs.

As a result of heavy industrialization, Chinese environmental challenges have become unbearable and need to be addressed (Song, 2018). As such, the country has taken initiatives to fight pollution through improvement of regulations and use of less coal amongst other initiatives. Importantly, green initiatives are being funded in most sectors. Against this backdrop, the design of buildings in green, sustainable ways becomes part of what is going on in the country today.

The significance of the Study

The study aims at coming up with a conclusive set of implications of the design process towards a green future. The contribution of industrial design towards a sustainable environment will be taken into consideration. The study will, therefore, be very important for future design process as it will advise any potential reader or stakeholder on the consequences of skewing their design structures towards a certain course for the betterment of the environment.

Research methodology

The most feasible research method for this study will be an extensive review of the literature. In this case, design issues that have been documented and that have been proven to work will be sought. The researcher will delve into various research databases, professional magazines, websites, and other online sources. Importantly, peer-reviewed journals from academic databases will take precedence. The data realized from the searches will be analyzed for relevance to avoid replication and ensure correspondence to the purpose of the paper at hand.

References

Bhamra, T., & Lofthouse, V. (2016). Design for sustainability: a practical approach. London: Routledge.

Ciambrone, D. F. (2018). Environmental life cycle analysis. London: CRC Press.

Day, C. (2017). Places of the Soul: Architecture and environmental design as healing art. London: Routledge.

DRC-OECD (2017). Industrial upgrading for green growth in China. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/greengrowth/Industrial_Upgrading_China_June_2017.pdfFu, B. J., Zhuang, X. L., Jiang, G. B., Shi, J. B., & Lu, A. Y. H. (2007). Feature: environmental problems and challenges in China. Retrieved from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es072643l

Guo, Y. (2017). Green Innovation Design of Products under the Perspective of Sustainable Development. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 51 012011.

Khan, M., & Chang, Y. C. (2018). Environmental Challenges and Current Practices in China-A Thorough Analysis. Sustainability, 10(7), 2547.

Kibert, C. J. (2016). Sustainable construction: green building design and delivery. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Lechner, N. (2014). Heating, cooling, lighting: Sustainable design methods for architects. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Liu, J., & Raven, P. H. (2010). China's environmental challenges and implications for theworld. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 40(9-10), 823-851.

Lu, Y. L., Geng, J., & He, G. Z. (2015). Industrial transformation and green production to reduce environmental emissions: Taking the cement industry as a case. Advances in Climate Change Research, 6(3-4), 202-209.

Song, S. (2018). Here's how China is going green. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/04/china-is-going-green-here-s-how/Wolch, J. R., Byrne, J., & Newell, J. P. (2014). Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The challenge of making cities 'just green enough'. Landscapeand urban planning, 125, 234-244.

Yi, W. (2012). China's Sustainable Development in the Shifting Global Context. Sustainable Development 26 (3), 183-189.

Zhou, Y. (2015). State power and environmental initiatives in China: Analyzing China's greenbuilding program through an ecological modernization perspective. Geoforum, 61, 1-12.