Achieving sustainable ecological development

Analysis

In the light of the above, measures have been developed for making the transition to up-to-
date models for the consumption and use of natural resources in a careful manner which
reduces the environmental burden and sets limits on the depletion of resources.

In Kazakhstan over 60 per cent of the ecosystems are subject to the processes of
desertification, especially in the desert and steppe zone, where land is ploughed and over-
grazed. About 75 per cent of the territory of the country is at high risk of ecological
destabilization. Moreover, there is considerably less spare land, such as water ecosystems with
low levels of anthropogenic impact, than in developed countries. The Caspian Sea and the
coastal areas are heavily impacted by man-made factors (flooding of oil-wells, pollution of the
sea by river waters, implantation of exogenous species, accidents at oil extraction sites). As part
of the implementation of the regional Convention on the preservation of the marine
environment [the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian
Sea], draft protocols are being prepared on regional cooperation in combating oil pollution,
protecting biodiversity, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in a transboundary
context and steadily developing coastal areas while preserving and making rational use of
bioresources.

The State allocates considerable resources to the regions with an unfavourable ecological
environment, with a view to finding appropriate solutions to their development problems.

Special attention is being focused on the Aral sea. To stabilize the situation in the Aral sea
region, the Central Asian countries have devised a regional plan of action, a comprehensive
programme for the Aral sea basin and a regional convention to protect the environment of
Central Asia. These instruments are designed to tackle the issues involved in transboundary
management of the water and land resources and of waste, and in preserving biodiversity.

A programme is in effect to tackle the various problems of the Aral sea region over the period
2007-2009, along with the Syrdarya river control and northern Aral sea project for 2001-2009,
financed by the Government of Kazakhstan and the World Bank. Following the construction
through this project of the Kok-Aral Dam, completed in August 2005, the water level in the
northern Aral sea has risen by three metres, resulting in reduced salinity of the water and a
considerable increase in the variety and numbers of marketable freshwater fish, which in turn
has revived fishing in the Aral sea.

Since 1997, at the initiative of Kazakhstan, the General Assembly of the United Nations has
unanimously adopted the resolution "International cooperation and coordination for the
human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of
Kazakhstan". This resolution has drawn the attention of the international community to this
problem, and considerable assistance for the rehabilitation of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear
test site is being provided by Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, USAID and UNDP,
together with UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Tourism Organization, etc.

To improve the ecological, economic and medico-social factors which affect the quality of life in
the Semipalatinsk region, a State programme has been in effect over the period 2005-2007 to
tackle the problems of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site during this period. A new
programme cycle for the period 2009-2011 will shortly begin. As a result the quality of life in
the region (drinking water supplies, social protection and compensation, employment) has
improved.

Lessons learned from this policy.

 Among the cardinal principles of sustainability is the ecosystem approach, calling for the
introduction of a number of restrictions, rules and regulations in the conduct of
economic activity, as a means of attaining ecologically permissible use thresholds for
natural resources and ensuring the properly balanced management of environmental
quality. A major problem is the failure to take sufficient account of the ecosystem
approach when implementing development programmes.
 The lack of any estimate of value of the country's natural resource capital makes it
necessary to undertake the tasks involved in establishing a register of natural resources,
including technogenic resources (industrial and historic waste).

Good practices from this policy.

 Establish transboundary sustainable development zones to solve regional environmental

problems;
 Incorporate the principles and indicators of sustainable development into the processes
of strategic planning of the development of the national economy;
 Improve the system for managing natural resource use and protecting the environment,
overcoming inter-agency barriers and strengthening inter-sectoral partnership;
 Achieve synergy through interaction among the social, economic, ecological and
institutional divisions of the public service sector;
 Create a modern infrastructure based on the use of environmentally clean technologies;
 Support research into the preservation of the country's ecosystems and natural
resource potential;
 Strengthen inter-agency coordination and inter-sectoral cooperation, and ensure that all
inter-agency structures (commissions, councils, working groups, etc.) include
representatives of NGOs and of women's, farmers', trade union, youth, scientific and
business organizations and associations;
 Strengthen international partnership, including with United Nations structures, so as to
achieve sustainable development at the regional and global levels.
WHAT IT MEANS / OUR DESIGN APPROACH

ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE merges the interests of sustainability, environmental

consciousness, green, natural, and organic approaches to evolve a design solution from these
requirements and from the characteristics of the site, its neighborhood context, and the local
mirco-climate and topography.

ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE is naturally site-sensitive. The location of a building has a direct

impact on its performance. The local ecology of the site, its gradient, orientation, and exposure
provide specific conditions, while the regional climate offers a more general context for design.
We incorporate aspects of passive solar and thermal mass into all of our work as a mechanism
of reducing energy consumption.

ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE is design that emphasizes natural materials and the use of
renewable resources that come from the earth in such a way that they can be returned to the
earth without causing harm.

Many of our buildings appear very traditional (or normative) in style but often have not only a
hyper-insulated or hybrid building skin (rammed earth with insulation for example) but also
domestic hot water solar systems as the first steps toward energy independence.

Surveys by the City of Seattle and the Canadian government show that GREEN BUILDING has a
higher first cost of only 2% to 8% more than conventional structures. Significant life cycle
savings in both energy consumption and maintenance benefits reward these choices
throughout the life of the project.

We begin our design solutions with the goal of "creating a place" which appropriately connects
the project to its location and context. Our projects unify the solution through contextual
sensitivity to place, a spatial creation which reflects the spirit of the Architecture, and a solution
rooted in the site and ecology of the place in balance with appropriate forms.

Architecture is part of thought or rather an extension of thought incorporated into the physical
environment through human effort. We seek to make this a healthy environment for the
building users and also harmonious with the environment.

Sven Erik Alstrom AIA was raised in Kansas City and graduated from the University of Kansas in
1975. Mr. Alstrom is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
(NCARB) and is a licensed architect in California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico.
After moving to Denver in 1981 to work on the Tabor Center project with Urban Design Group,
Mr. Alstrom relocated to Aspen in 1988 and founded Alstrom Group P.C. in 1992. In September
1999 our business name was changed to ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE to renew our emphasis
on environmentally based design solutions.
In 2002 a new office was established in Lawrence, Kansas near the University of Kansas. Mr.
Alstrom is restoring a 1960 modernist house (see photo at contact us). Long term plans for this
high thermal mass building include a partial GREEN ROOF and a second floor office with views
of the University of Kansas.

ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE offers comprehensive architectural, interior design, and planning

services (site adaptation). Our combined focus of technical expertise, aesthetic sensibility, and
attention to detail results in the successful realization of each project. We provide the expertise
necessary to realize these projects on time and within budget. Our flexible attitude and
extensive experience enable us to communicate effectively about the design and technical
aspects of construction with our clients, contractors, consultants, and other participants in the
building process.

The firm is a member of the Heartland Renewable Energy Society www.heartland-res.org and
the New Mexico Solar Energy Association.

Mr. Alstrom is a member of the City of Lawrence Historic Resources Commission and a member
of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance. The firm is a member of The American Institute of
Architects and the Kansas City Chapter of the AIA

Design services

Passive-Solar and Energy-Efficiency related services

Summary of Services
passive-solar and energy-efficient design and analysis for passive-solar / energy-efficiency
performance. Through passive approaches to mechanical performance, large cost savings can
often be achieved through a small initial investment.

Passive Heating
Potential strategies for energy savings through passive solar heating may include: optimized
building orientation and fenestration schemes to naturally harvest on-site solar energy, and
increased thermal mass to retain harvested solar energy throughout the coldest part of the day.
These strategies typically do not involve any costs, but they may involve an "open-minded"
approach to building orientation, interior design and fenestration schemes. More involved
strategies, like "sunspace" (greenhouse) or "Trombe Wall" can be investigated as well, as they
offer interesting advantages.

Passive Cooling
Potential energy savings through passive cooling typically involve a solar-shading system, plus
some type of natural ventilation – sometimes in conjunction with some modest mechanical
system (i.e. "hybrid" systems). Solar shading strategies typically involve coordination of the
building orientation with site constraints, and coordination of roofs, decks and shading devices
with window placement. Natural ventilation strategies typically involve a small area of operable
windows strategically placed, and a willingness to manage the system – either through controls
or personnel – on a specific schedule determined by the daily and seasonal climate. Additional
interior mass is also beneficial, just as for passive heating, and may be critical to the success of
the strategy.

Conservation (traditional insulation strategies)

Potential energy savings through conservation include increased or strategic expenditure on
the building envelope – specifically, better windows, enhanced wall, roof and slab insulation,
air-spaces and radiant barriers. In addition, active mechanical systems for capturing and storing
renewable energy (e.g. PV solar panels) can be employed for an "off-the grid" solution in many
cases.

Energy Analysis of New or Existing Designs

Using industry-recognized software and methodologies, we provide energy analyses to
compare passive and active approaches to determine the optimum approach for each project.
The emphasis is on achieving the most cost-effective design from a life-cycle standpoint, with
data and recommendations provided to assist in the financing of the up-front costs of the
optimum solution.