Construction Magazine August 2020 | Page 60

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

addition of increased environmental challenges . While technology is only one element that can help to address these challenges , overall analysis by McKinsey highlights that “ deploying a range of applications to the best reasonable extent could cut emissions by 10 to 15 %, lower water consumption by 20 to 30 %, and reduce the volume of solid waste per capita by 10 to 20 %.”

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For cities that find structures as a major source of emissions , McKinsey reports that building automation systems can lower emissions by just under 3 % in most commercial buildings and 3 % in residential homes . Other technologies that can significantly impact emissions are dynamic electric pricing , ride-hailing and demand based microtransit , intelligence traffic signals and congestion pricing .

While some of the above can improve air quality , to directly address this challenge requires implementing air quality sensors . While this does not automatically solve pollution , the technology can identify the source , providing the ability to make more informed decisions . McKinsey reported that Beijing reduced its deadly airborne pollutants by 20 % in under a year by closely tracking the source of pollution and regulating traffic and construction .

In addition , sharing real time air quality information provides the public with the capability to take protective measures to reduce negative health effects by three to 15 % depending on the current levels of pollution .

Harnessing water consumption tracking technology paired with

SUMMER / AUTUMN 2020