Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address, Facts and Myths

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a few appropriate remarks at the dedication of Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. From a platform set some distance away from the ongoing burial operations, Lincoln addressed a crowd of 15,000 people. The president spoke for three minutes. His speech contained just 272 words, including the observation that the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here. Yet Lincolns Gettysburg Address endures. In the view of historian James McPherson, it stands as the worlds foremost statement of freedom and democracy and the sacrifices required to achieve and defend them. Over the years, historians, biographers, political scientists, and rhetoricians have written countless words about Lincolns brief speech. The most comprehensive study remains Garry Willss Pulitzer Prize-winning book Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America (Simon Schuster, 1992). In addition to examining the political circumstances and oratorical antecedents of the speech, Wills dispels several myths, including these: The silly but persistent myth is that [Lincoln] jotted his brief remarks on the back of an envelope [while  riding the train  to  Gettysburg]. . . . In fact, two people testified that Lincolns speech was mainly composed in Washington, before he left for Gettysburg.Though we call Lincolns text the Gettysburg Address, that title clearly belongs to [Edward] Everett. Lincolns contribution, labeled remarks, was intended to make the dedication formal (somewhat like ribbon-cutting at modern openings). Lincoln was not expected to speak at length.Some later accounts would emphasize the length of the main speech [Everetts two-hour oration], as if that were an ordeal or an imposition on the audience. But in the mid-19th century, a talk of several hours was customary and expected.Everetts voice was sweet and expertly modulated; Lincolns was high to the point of shrillness, and his Kentucky accent offended some eastern sensibilities. But Lincoln derived an advantage from his high tenor voic e. . . . He knew a good deal about rhythmic delivery and meaningful inflections. Lincolns text was polished, his delivery emphatic, he was interrupted by applause five times.[T]he myth that Lincoln was disappointed in the result—that he told the unreliable [Ward] Lamon that his speech, like a bad plow, wont scour—has no basis. He had done what he wanted to do. Above all its worth noting that Lincoln composed the address without the aid of speechwriters or advisers. As Fred Kaplan recently observed in Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer (HarperCollins, 2008), Lincoln is distinguished from every other president, with the exception of Jefferson, in that we can be certain that he wrote every word to which his name is attached. Words mattered to Lincoln—their meanings, their rhythms, their effects. On February 11, 1859, two years before he became president, Lincoln delivered a lecture to the Phi Alpha Society of Illinois College. His topic was Discoveries and Inventions: Writing—the art of communicating thoughts to the mind, through the eye—is the great invention of the world. Great in the astonishing range of analysis and combination which necessarily underlies the most crude and general conception of it—great, very great in enabling us to converse with the dead, the absent, and the unborn, at all distances of time and of space; and great, not only in its direct benefits, but greatest help, to all other inventions. . . .Its utility may be conceived, by the reflection that, to it we owe everything which distinguishes us from savages. Take it from us, and the Bible, all history, all science, all government, all commerce, and nearly all social intercourse go with it. Its Kaplans belief that Lincoln was the last president whose character and standards in the use of language avoided the distortions and other dishonest uses of language that have done so much to undermine the credibility of national leaders. To re-experience Lincolns words, try reading aloud his two best-known speeches: The Gettysburg AddressThe Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Afterward, if youd like to test your familiarity with Lincolns rhetoric, take our Reading Quiz on the Gettysburg Address.

The Bizarre Secret of Race Class and Gender Essay Topics

The Bizarre Secret of Race Class and Gender Essay Topics No matter how or whenever you have become involved with equity work, it's always feasible to more fully integrate intersectionality in your view of these problems. Discrimination at work and in schools is still quite common. The issues also have issues that exist around the world concerning gender. If you are not certain which laws could be applicable and the way to safeguard yourself and your users, please consult with a lawyer. The Chronicles of Race Class and Gender Essay Topics Text messaging during class will negatively affect your grade. Intersectionality might appear theoretical, but it is intended to be utilized. The optional programs are tough to get into, receive info about, and require families to devote a great amount of time standing in line to sign their children up. The attendance grade is dependent on attending class. What Race Class and Gender Essay Topics Is - and What it Is Not This paper will att empt to trace the trajectory of the problem of race throughout the growth of America. Race Rebels indicates how a cultural world can become a political method of resistance. The secular standpoint and the narrative that we're taught is that this was all the consequence of the industrial and scientific revolution. It looks like every time we make some sort of progress it's out shadowed by the sum of prejudice and double standard that's hidden behind that fake progress. The Chronicles of Race Class and Gender Essay Topics Apparently, you cannot compose a great summary essay of a source that you don't understand. Yes, it's challenging to steer clear of sensitive or provoking ideas when it has to do with selecting a topic for this type of paper. It's a one-sentence overview of the whole text your essay summarizes. All these writings and possibly even drawings are able to make your work visual and therefore much simpler. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Race Class and G ender Essay Topics If a young child grows up with a mother who's very athletic, she is more likely to look at sports as a normal part of being a true girl. An individual must have the core of the spiritual warrior. Women and men are portrayed as polar opposites with unique abilities. From the moment of birth, they are put into different pots. The Good, the Bad and Race Class and Gender Essay Topics To argue against a biological foundation for racial categorization isn't to say that the idea of race doesn't play a substantial part in the structure of contemporary society. The gender studies exist to boost understanding of the idea of gender and between genders generally. In the modern society, it means so much more than it used to. These days, the theme of gender equality and gender studies is extremely popular all around the world. Up in Arms About Race Class and Gender Essay Topics? An individual cannot help but become more conscious of the world, one's place in it, and the capacity for change on account of the experience. Whenever these people today share their experiences, take the chance to listen. Please remember that personal experience is quite significant in gender studies, it can provide you a few insights and steer you through the manner of your research, but nevertheless, it can't be the universally relevant data. It is beneficial even in the event the research is extremely similar to your own feelings. Be certain to take a look at our writers' other works that are accessible via links on their personal Medium profile pages. Note, however, that vernacular dialects are occasionally appropriate, based on your audience and your rhetorical function. If such a category is made, it must be immediately depopulated and deleted. Each topic within this category represents a controversial issue and thus is a great option if you are searching for argumentative or persuasive essay topics. Race in our society is thought to be a social constru ct. They fought not just for representation in both the Civil Rights and feminist movements, but in addition for recognition as black ladies, as opposed to just black or simply female individuals. Global organizations like the World Bank interact with countries throughout the world. The truth of monumental shift in human affairs in the center of 19th Century. If you are not sure about a concept or would like to find out more about a particular intersection of identity, Google it! Particularly in regards to details about a user's identify, it is vital to provide multi-select checkboxes in any circumstance when a user could potentially identify as multiple choices that you offer. In summary, intersectionality interrogates whether a person is visible within a distinct legal system. Periodically, sample user self-descriptions to find out whether you should add new alternatives to your form. Most Noticeable Race Class and Gender Essay Topics Embedded in this theory is the assum ption that women result in their own helplessness on account of the subjective perception they haven't any control over their lives. Understanding intersectionality is crucial to combatting the interwoven prejudices people face in their everyday lives. Ensure whatever you will need is organised in a way which will force you to write efficiently.

Building Lifecycle Free Essays

string(115) " a benefit when considering the transportation and disposal costs, as well as disposal restrictions, in certain U\." LIFE-CYCLE OF BUILDINGS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE , UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELORS OF SCIENCE (BSc) IN ARCHITECTURE BY WHENU MAUTON . A. 100501059 OCTOBER 2011 Building Life Cycle refers to the view of a building over the course of its entire life-in other words,viewing it not just as an operational building,but also taking into account the design,installation,commissioning,operation and decommissioning phases. We will write a custom essay sample on Building Lifecycle or any similar topic only for you Order Now It is used to use this view when attempting to improve an operational feature of a building that is related to how a building was designed for instance,overall energy conservation. In the vast majority of cases there is less than sufficient effort put into designing a building to be energy efficient and hence large inefficiencies are incurred in the operational phase . Current research is ongoing in exploring methods of incorporating a whole life cycle view of buildings,rather than just focusing in the operational phase as is the current situation. Building life-cycle is in the stages listed below: * Extraction Of Building Materials * Processing Of Building Materials * Designing Of Building * Construction Of Building * Occupancy/Maintenance * Demolition/Disposal * Destruction And Material Re-Use * Design For Deconstruction * Diagram showing building life-cycle. DECONSTRUCTION Deconstruction is a technique practitioners are using to salvage valuable building materials, reduce the amount of waste they send to landfills, and mitigate other environmental impacts. It is the disassembly of a building and the recovery of its materials, often thought of as construction in reverse. Today, the appreciation of the lifespan and value of materials has become diminished in the context of a more disposable society in which new is assumed to be better. Technological innovation and increased availability of materials, coupled with a growing economy, population, and desire for more individualized space, has increased the demand for commercial and residential development, typically using new materials. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the size of an average home in the United States jumped 45 percent between 1970 and 2002, from 1,500 to over 2,200 square feet, while the number of people living in each home decreased from an average of 3. 2 people to 2. 6 people. This meant more demolition, and renovation, of older structures to allow for new and bigger structures. Demolition using heavy equipment is the traditional process for building removal. Modern demolition equipment removes structures quickly, destroying the materials within and creating solid waste destined for landfills. Some recycling does occur during the demolition process, most typically concrete, brick, metal, asphalt pavement, and wood. However, landfill costs in many states are still low, enabling wasteful disposal practices. Although certain areas in the United States are beginning to restrict disposal of construction and demolition (CD) waste in order to promote recycling and reuse (see Section 3), some states still have local landfill tipping fees as low as $9. 95 per cubic yard. Environmental impacts from construction and demolition activities are sizeable, both upstream and downstream. Large amounts of energy and resources go into the production of new building materials. RESOURCES NOT WASTE Deconstruction advocates are working to change the perception that older building materials are â€Å"waste. † In fact, many of these materials are valuable resources. However, according to EPA, only 20 to 30 percent of building-related CD material was recycled or reused in 1996. 10 This gap presents an opportunity to capture valuable resources. Deconstruction is becoming a complement to or a substitute for demolition worldwide, including in the United States where a market is emerging. Brad Guy, a leader in the deconstruction field and president of the Building Materials Reuse Association, has found that there are currently over 250 active deconstruction programs throughout the United States. Such programs recognize the potential and benefits of this process, which include:  ¦ Reduction of Waste and Debris— According to the Deconstruction Institute, in order to sustain human society into the next century, resource efficiency will have to increase by a factor of 10. The materials salvaged through deconstruction help replenish the construction materials market, rather than add to the amount of waste in landfills. In fact, studies indicate that deconstruction can reduce construction site waste by 50 to 70 percent. 11 This not only helps extend the life of the existing landfills, but also decreases disposal costs for developers by minimizing the amount of building related CD material they are responsible for at the end of a project. EMBODIED ENERGY A major factor in determining a building’s lifecycle impact, Embodied Energy is the amount of energy consumed to produce a product, in this case building materials. This includes the energy needed to:  ¦ Mine or harvest natural resources and raw materials; Manufacture the materials; and  ¦ Transport the materials. By extending the life of building materials, deconstruction and materials reuse preserve this embodied energy, minimizing the need for further energy use.  ¦ Resource Conservation and Emissions Reduction—Deconstruction helps preserve a material’s â€Å"embodied energy† (see text box) and extends the life of natural resources already harvested. 13 This minimizes the need to produce new materials—in turn saving more natural resources and reducing production impacts such as emissions. For instance, a dominant benefit of deconstruction and the reuse of salvaged materials is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Using materials salvaged from deconstruction projects also reduces the demand to ship materials typically sourced and manufactured long distances from their ultimate use. This helps support the local economy as well as further reduce air emissions. Deconstructing a building also provides the opportunity to recycle any of the material that cannot be reused. Although the recycling process uses some energy and raw materials, and emits pollution, it is still a more sustainable option than disposing of materials. 4  ¦ Economics Benefi ts—New end use markets, including salvaged material resellers and other small businesses, are being created to support deconstruction activities. Other economic benefits include job creation, workforce development training, lower building material cost, and revenue generation through salvaged materials sales. Avoided d emolition debris disposal costs are a benefit when considering the transportation and disposal costs, as well as disposal restrictions, in certain U. You read "Building Lifecycle" in category "Papers" S. states. Additionally, property owners can realize tax deductions that include the value of the building and its materials if they are donated to a non-profi t organization. MATERIALS RE-USE Building materials may retain structural or aesthetic value beyond their lifespan in a given building. This value is captured through materials reuse, a practice that can occur independently from or in conjunction with deconstruction and other lifecycle construction activities. As a component of lifecycle construction, it is an essential step in completing the loop. The concept of â€Å"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle† identifies reuse as midway between initial reduction of resource use and resource recycling in a hierarchy of limiting environmental impact. Reducing initial resource use avoids the impact entirely, as well as any need for reuse or recycling. However, reusing materials is preferable to recycling them because less remanufacturing and processing is required, and less associated waste is generated. In its broadest definition, materials reuse is the practice of incorporating previously used materials into new projects. In the context of lifecycle construction, salvaging finish features, stripping interior components, and deconstruction all make building materials available for reuse. Similar to deconstruction, the major benefit of materials reuse is the resource and energy use that is avoided by reducing the production of new materials. Materials reuse also salvages materials with characteristics that are generally unavailable in new materials. For example, lumber with desirable structural and aesthetic qualities such as large dimensions (especially timbers) and knot-free fine grain can be found in walls of old buildings. Such items have a high reuse value as a combined structural and finished surface piece. Note that it is less important what species of tree the wood came from than the way it has been used and the state it is in after such use. Certain challenges accompany the numerous benefits of this critical step in the lifecycle construction process. These include the need to verify material quality (e. g. , lumber grade) and the variability of available material quantities, which fluctuate with the level of deconstruction activity. This section describes the opportunities for materials reuse, the market for reusable materials, and challenges associated with materials reuse. Three case studies at the end of the section highlight projects that incorporate materials reuse. The first case study describes a joint venture deconstruction/materials reuse project that features immediate reuse of salvaged materials. The second case study describes a residential construction project that incorporates significant amounts of reusable materials. The third case study highlights a used building materials retail store within the growing market for reusable materials. IMPLEMENTATION OF MATERIALS REUSE Materials reuse can occur on both large and small scales. Depending on the availability of materials and the desired future use, materials reuse can involve: a) whole buildings, b) building assemblies, c) building components, d) remanufacturing of building components, and/or e) reuse of individual building materials without modifications to them. These are defi ned below. a) Whole Building—Involves relatively minor changes to a building’s structure that often adapt it to a new use (e. g. , transforming a factory into lofts). ) Building Assemblies—Defined as â€Å"a collection of parts fitted together into a complete structure† (e. g. , pre-fabricated walls). 28 c) Building Components—May be subassemblies or other structures that are not complete on their own (e. g. doors with jambs). d) Remanufacturing—Adds value to a material by modifying it (e. g. , re-milling framing lumber for use as trim. Note that this differs somewhat from recycling because the wood is not entirely reprocessed, and retains its basic form). e) Building Materials—Reuse of any individual type of material such as lumber or stone (e. . , brick from an old structure used in a new landscape design without modifying it). Individual building materials and finish pieces are the most commonly reused. Primary among these is lumber, but steel beams, stone, brick, tile, glass, gypsum, and plasterboard, as well as doors, windows, and cabinets are also routinely successfully reused. At a larger scale, building components are ideal for reuse, while the ultimate reuse includes entire building assemblies, such as panelized walls or floors that can be wholly incorporated into new projects. To help promote more materials reuse and recycling, the City of Seattle produced an â€Å"index of materials reuse† that identifies suitable materials for reuse, recyclable materials, and those that should be disposed of, as well as information on potential environmental and health concerns associated with some materials. A NEW APPROACH TO BUILDING DESIGN As society continues to face significant waste and pollution impacts related to conventional building design, renovation, and removal practices, innovators are imagining a future where buildings are designed to consume fewer resources and generate less waste throughout their lifecycle. Building industry professionals are pioneering the concept of Design for Deconstruction (DfD), sometimes referred to as Design for Disassembly, a technique whose goal is to consider a building’s entire lifecycle in its original design. This includes the sustainable management of all resource flows associated with a building including design, manufacturing of construction materials, operation, renovation, and eventual deconstruction. 51 The typical building lifecycle is a linear one,. Resources are used and eventually discarded with minimal thought of re-cycling or reuse. The environmental impacts of this approach are sizeable. In terms of waste, if housing replacement rates remain unchanged, over the next 50 years 3. 3 billion tons of material debris will be created from the demolition of 41 million housing units. Even more dramatic is the fact that, if trends in housing design continue, new homes built during this same time period will result in double the amount of demolition debris, or 6. 6 billion tons, when they are eventually demolished. Beyond these waste issues, the energy consumed to produce building materials is having a huge effect globally. A 1999 United Nations study states that 11 percent of global CO2 emissions come from the production of construction materials. These are the same materials that regularly end up in landfills. 52 The trend in construction practices since the 1950s has only exacerbated these impacts, as buildings progressively contain more complex systems, materials types, and connecting devices, making it more difficult technically, as well as economically, to recover building materials for reuse or recycling. Unless a sustainable lifecycle approach to building is adopted, most building components in the future will become increasingly more non-renewable, non-reuseable, and non-recyclable. INCORPORATING DESIGN FOR DECONSTRUCTION (DFD) Design for deconstruction addresses waste and pollution issues associated with building design and demolition by creating a â€Å"closedloop† building management option that goes against the traditional linear approach (Figure 2). By designing buildings to facilitate future renovations and eventual dismantlement, a building’s systems, components, and materials will be easier to rearrange, recover, and reuse. It is estimated that the average U. S. family moves every 10 years. Over an average 50-year life span, a home may change hands five times and undergo structural changes to meet each occupant’s needs. Thus, there is potential for multiple renovations over a building’s lifetime, as well as complete building removal to make the land available for a newer building – as has been the trend most recently. DfD can proactively address future occupancy flow through a sensible approach that maximizes the economic value of a structure’s materials, while working to reduce environmental impacts from their renovation and/or removal. DfD also creates adaptable structures that can be more readily reshaped to meet changing needs of owners. Incorporating DfD into the design of a building comprises four major design goals. All of these goals combine to minimize the environmental footprint of a building. Reusing existing buildings and materials Architects and developers should, to the extent possible, incorporate reused materials in the construction of new buildings. Besides minimizing waste from disposal of materials from existing building, as well as decreasing resource use and pollution associated with the creation of new materials, incorporating reused materials will help preserve the materials embodied energy, which is the amount of energy consumed to produce the materials . Additionally, supporting the materials reuse market will also help create demand for more used materials. Materials, climatic materials, surface materials, surface treatment Refining process Metals, chemicals cement, fired clay, straw,sawn timber, etc. Extraction process Ore, stone, clay, oil, timber,plants, etc. Mining Drilling Harvesting The Earth Ore Oil Timber Dumping Waste Use Re-use Recycling Buildin (Source—Bjorn Berg, â€Å"The Ecology of Building Materials)Building process REFERENCES * WWW. WIKIPEDIA. ORG * LIFECYCLE CONSTRUCTION RESOURCE GUIDE * EPA Deconstruction and Reuse http://www. epa. gov/epaoswer/non-hw/ debris-new/reuse. htm * EPA Construction and Demolition Debris http://www. epa. gov/epaoswer/non-hw/ debris-new/index. htm VALUE OPTIMIZATION IN RELATION TO BUILDING PROJECTS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE , UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELORS OF SCIENCE (BSc) IN ARCHITECTURE BY WHENU MAUTON . A. 100501059 OCTOBER 2011 INTEGRATED OPTIMIZATION â€Å"Optimize human enjoyment in the act of production and you optimize production† — W. Edwards Deming The construction industry often mounts initiatives to increase efficiency and productivity, but assumes the initiatives will gain traction within what is arguably a fragmented and therefore dysfunctional industry. The reality is that a healthy, integrated industry needs to first be developed, and then optimized. Increased efficiency and productivity will follow. The three-fold aim of this paper is that the reader understand: * First, the organizational structure is optimized. In the performance paradigm, this includes the clarity of structure, roles and responsibilities — all of which need to be reorganized. This enables lasting and integrated team life (as opposed to reshuffling the team from project to project). The supply chain is also to be consolidated in order that the manufacturers, building products and systems are part of the team. Next, the processes are to be optimized. This will be accomplished through: (1) Lean Building, (2) Production Quality, and (3) Process Integration and Automation. * Finally, the object of the performance paradigm — the building itself — is optimized. This requires a management re-orientation toward the total true cost of a development, and the building producers accepting responsibility for the performance of the building operations. While construction productivity has been stagnant — even declining — laments over productivity have been increasing. Productivity is, of course, a function of the  optimization of the production process (productivity = measures of output from process per unit of input). So, to make a given system more productive (whether it’s the producer, process or product), the system is â€Å"optimized† to produce more units of output per units of input. With the goal of decisively reversing the productivity decline and the lament incline, this paper proposes some optimization strategies for building systems that create an optimized, efficient and super-productive high performance industry producing high erformance buildings. Building construction and operation have extensive direct and indirect impacts on the environment. Buildings use resources such as energy, water and raw materials, generate waste (occupant, construction and demolition) and emit potentially harmful atmospheric emissions. Building owners, designers and builders face a unique challenge to meet demands for new and renovated fac ilities that are accessible, secure, healthy, and productive while minimizing their impact on the environment. Considering the current economic challenges, retrofitting an existing building can be more cost effective than building a new facility. Designing major renovations and retrofits for existing buildings to include sustainability initiatives reduces operation costs and environmental impacts, and can increase building resiliency. Source: EPA, 2004 Recent answers to this challenge call for an integrated, synergistic approach that considers all phases of the facility life cycle. This approach, often called â€Å"sustainable design,† supports an increased commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation, and results in an optimal balance of cost, environmental, societal, and human benefits while meeting the mission and function of the intended facility or infrastructure. The main objectives of sustainable design are to avoid resource depletion of energy, water, and raw materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure throughout their life cycle; and create built environments that are livable, comfortable, safe, and productive. EPA’s New England Regional Laboratory (NERL) achieved a LEED Version 1. 0 Gold rating. From conception the project was charged to â€Å"make use of the best commercially-available materials and technologies to minimize consumption of energy and resources and maximize use of natural, recycled and non-toxic materials. † Chelmsford, MA While the definition of sustainable building design is constantly changing, six fundamental principles persist. * Optimize Site/Existing Structure Potential Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection, including consideration of the reuse or rehabilitation of existing buildings. The location, orientation, and landscaping of a building affect the local ecosystems, transportation methods, and energy use. Incorporate Smart growth principles in the project development process, whether it be a single building, campus or military base. Siting for physical security is a critical issue in optimizing site design, including locations of access roads, parking, vehicle barriers, and perimeter lighting. Whether designing a new building or retrofitting an existing building, site design must integrate with sustainable design to achieve a successful project. The site of a sustainable building should reduce, control, and/or treat stormwater runoff. * Optimize Energy Use With America’s supply of fossil fuel dwindling, concerns for energy independence and security increasing, and the impacts of global climate change arising, it is essential to find ways to reduce load, increase efficiency, and utilize renewable energy resources in federal facilities. Improving the energy performance of existing buildings is important to increasing our energy independence. Government and private sector organizations are committing to net zero energy buildings in the next decade or so as a way to significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. * Protect and Conserve Water In many parts of the country, fresh water is an increasingly scarce resource. A sustainable building should use water efficiently, and reuse or recycle water for on-site use, when feasible. * Use Environmentally Preferable Products A sustainable building is constructed of materials that minimize life-cycle environmental impacts such as global warming, resource depletion, and human toxicity. Environmentally preferable materials have a reduced effect on human health and the environment and contribute to improved worker safety and health, reduced liabilities, reduced disposal costs, and achievement of environmental goals. * Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. Among other attributes, a sustainable building maximizes daylighting; has appropriate ventilation and moisture control; and avoids the use of materials with high-VOC emissions. Additionally, consider ventilation and filtration to mitigate chemical, biological, and radiological attack. * Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices Considering a building’s operating and maintenance issues during the preliminary design phase of a facility will contribute to improved working environments, higher productivity, reduced energy and resource costs, and prevented system failures. Encourage building operators and maintenance personnel to participate in the design and development phases to ensure optimal operations and maintenance of the building. Designers can specify materials and systems that simplify and reduce maintenance requirements; require less water, energy, and toxic chemicals and cleaners to maintain; and are cost-effective and reduce life-cycle costs. Additionally, design facilities to include meters in order to track the progress of sustainability initiatives, including reductions in energy and water use and waste generation, in the facility and on site. REFERENCE * WBDG SUSTAINABLE COMMITTEE How to cite Building Lifecycle, Papers