Noise is considered as one of the challenging problems in big cities. However, this noise could be utilized in producing energy especially in dense urban areas. Sound as a form of mechanical energy, it can be converted to electric energy through many approaches including heating, by using the diaphragm and through using piezoelectric materials. This research aims at utilizing noise through using piezoelectric materials as an approach of conversion to produce green sustainable electric energy that can be used to decrease the energy consumption from non-renewable sources and utilizing this energy in street lighting. The study was carried in three bus stations in Alexandria by having measurements during weekdays and weekends in order to study the noise produced in the selected stations and the amount of electric energy that could be produced and utilized in street lighting. The noise level index L DEN was calculated for each of the three selected locations. The equivalent noise level values were always exceeding the limits through the day, evening and night. At daytime they ranged between 75–85 dB which is higher that the permissible limit by 10–20 dB, at evening they ranged from 80–85 dB which is also higher than the permissible limit with 20–25 dB and at the night they ranged from 75–80 dB which is higher by 20–25 dB than the permissible limit. The research concluded that utilizing noise using the piezoelectric material is successful. The electric energy produced from an area of 1.45 m2 containing 690 piezoelectric QB220-503YB transducers at each of the selected stations was about 0.024 watt hr. This amount of electric energy is too small to be used in an application. So the application area should be maximized to hundreds of square meters to produce beneficial electric energy that can be used in lighting 1 LED street lamp or it can be stored and used when needed in applications that use greater amount of electric energy and this would help in reducing the energy consumed.

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Biomimicry, where flora, fauna or entire ecosystems are emulated as a basis for design, is a growing area of research in the fields of architecture and engineering. This is due to both the fact that it is an inspirational source of possible new innovation and because of the potential it offers as a way to create a more sustainable and even regenerative built environment. Nature provides a large database of adaptation strategies that can be implemented in design in general, and in the design of building envelopes in particular. The widespread and practical application of biomimicry as a design method remains however largely unrealized. Through literature review, and an examination of existing biomimetic technologies, this paper elaborates on distinct approaches to biomimetic design that have evolved. Biomimicry origins, levels and adaptation principles are discussed.It is hypothesized that applying biomimetics to architectural designs that incorporates an understanding of organisms' ecosystems' adaptive mechanisms could become a tool for creating a built environment that goes beyond simply sustaining current conditions to a restorative practice where the built environment becomes an adaptable and a vital component in the integration with and regeneration of natural ecosystems.

Building envelopes can play a significant role in controlling energy consumption, especially in hot regions because of the wide variety of envelope materials and technologies that have been developed. Currently, because of the high rise in energy prices, especially with the high demand of fossil energy in the building sector worldwide, using curtain walls for maintaining adequate lighting in public buildings could lead to higher energy consumption because of the continuous exposure to the sun in hot regions. For this reason, studying the use of renewable or smart alternatives in the building sector to ensure a cleaner, greener environment by deploying sustainable technology in order to reduce energy demand and support economic long-term solutions would be important for solving such a problem. This paper aims at studying the use of renewable energy technologies and alternatives; represented in new building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) technology that could be integrated within building skin to reduce energy demand. The methodology follows a quantitative comparative approach, using an energy simulation software to study two different types of BIPV technology (BISOL Premium BXO 365 Wp monocrystalline and BXU 330 Wp, polycrystalline) on an existing building by retrofitting a part of its curtain wall. This is to conclude the energy saving percentage and feasibility of both alternatives.Energies 2019, 12, 3946 2 of 15 in the building retrofit process and how it impacts the energy performance in existing buildings through the energy retrofit process. The study is conducted through computer simulation, using DesignBuilder software to compare the performance of two different types of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) technology (BISOL Premium BXO 365 Wp monocrystalline and BXU 330 Wp, polycrystalline) on an existing building by partial retrofit of its curtain wall. This is to conclude the amount of energy saved and feasibility of both alternatives. Literature ReviewRetrofitting refers to a modification process of completed and constructed buildings, this could be inclusive to the building systems or extend even more to include structure. The process is performed at a point following its initial construction and occupation as an aim for enhancing the building performance. Many aspects should be taken into consideration when retrofitting an existing building, which include: indoor air quality (IAQ), retrofit cost, construction burden, and retrofit aesthetics to the current occupants [4]. In many cases, retrofit targets the building energy performance enhancement which is often provided by an optimization process that is completely dependent on proper retrofitting strategies. The building envelope thermal characteristics are studied to enhance the building energy performance [5]. To retrofit a building envelope, interferences generally include fenestrations (windows, doors), roof, and walls. The vertical envelope, such as building facades, represents a huge area that can be utilized and integrated with photovoltai...

Normally, in unfamiliar urban environments, wayfinding process obliges human beings to recognize the urban street network to be able to have a good sense of orientation. Wayfinding is the ability to reach a destination from an origin which requires a high awareness of the space navigated. In this concern, Lynch's theory of legibility has been essential in the urban design and planning fields showing the concept of urban imageability that is dependent on five elements which include paths, edges, nodes, landmarks and districts. However, recent research has suggested that planning according to the urban fabric typologies could address the limitations of Lynch's approach to urban spatial cognition. From this perspective, this research employs a methodology that combines a set of guidelines considering the imageability of streets which should enable appropriate distribution of the visual clues according to the typology of the urban fabric to guide the pedestrians through their walking trips in order to reach easily their destinations. Furthermore, the research follows a comparative analysis between the legibility of the radial, curvilinear and organic urban fabric typologies of Lisburn city centre in Northern Ireland, UK which signifies that the radial urban fabric is the most legible typology which provides the most essential features for efficient pedestrian wayfinding.