Built environment

Pressure is on SA to reduce logistics costs The CSIR and Imperial Logistics jointly launched the fifth annual State of Logistics Survey in May 2009. Given the global economic crisis, it is fitting that this year's survey is titled 'Logistics value and cost drivers from a macro and micro-economic perspective'.

CSIR to provide guidelines for medium-density mixed housing A three-year research project by CSIR Built Environment focuses on medium-density mixed housing in South Africa. Such housing developments are advocated in the national Department of Housing's plan generally referred to as 'Breaking New Ground'.

Towards water conservation in buildings The conservation of water is a serious concern worldwide. An area that does not receive enough attention is the use of large volumes of water in buildings on a daily basis. Efforts should be made to develop water systems for water conservation and thus enhancing the green status of buildings.

CSIR drives water quality intervention in Eastern Cape The Department of Science and Technology, the CSIR and the HSRC are exploring a new approach to accelerate sustainable water service delivery. A pilot project was launched in the two rural Eastern Cape district municipalities of Amathole and OR Tambo recently.

Thumbs up for road materials and pavement design meetings The editorial board meeting of the international journal Road Materials and Pavement Design (RMPD) and its combined seminar held early in March were received favourably. Professor Morris de Beer of the CSIR's transport infrastructure engineering group comments, "The level of discussion proved to exceed expectations."