Isaac Ramdeen - Expository Speech

Introduction:

As the late Iraqi-British, award-winning architect, Zaha Hadid, once said, and I quote: "Design is not

just about aesthetics, it's about problem-solving. It's about creating a solution that not only looks good but also

takes into account, the IMPACT it will have on the environment AND the people who will use it,"

This quote encapsulates the idea that architecture and engineering should not only be Visually

appealing but also Sustainable and responsible.

Good Morning, Today, I shall elaborate upon research done in the field of architecture & engineering, to

Specifically examine the impact of conventional construction methods on the environment and citizens residing

at the New Yalta Community, Diego Martin Trinidad, specifically relating to pollution.

The particular topic is exceedingly close to my heart as it highlights the Impact of how this affects the

health and well-being of loved ones in my community.

And also, I would like to inform the construction professionals in my community of how they can design and

build structures, in a more sustainable and responsible way.

Through this exposition, I hope to answer the following focus questions:

1. What are the negative effects of conventional construction methods on the environment in Trinidad &

Tobago?

2. How have these effects impacted communities and individuals in the country?

3. What can be done to mitigate or prevent these adverse effects?

will also be discussed.

Limitations:

In conducting this research, I encountered several limitations. One of the biggest challenges was

accessing reliable and valid data on the actual topic “the impact of conventional construction methods on the

environment.”

Many of the sources I found were not specific to Trinidad & Tobago and needed to provide detailed

information on the inevitable effects of construction on the environment.

Additionally, I found that there were few local official reports or studies on the topic, which made it

difficult to evaluate the reliability and validity of the sources that I did find.

Despite these limitations, I gathered data two (2) primary sources (including an interview & survey) and

one (1) secondary source, in the form of a website article.

Body:

The infrastructure and engineering sectors are responsible for building and maintaining the country's

roads, bridges and even those upscale executive buildings.

Question #1:

But what really are the negative effects of conventional construction on the environment? For my

research, I aimed to sample data, from an expert in the field of sustainable construction, Luckily, for my first

primary source of data, I conducted an interview on the topic of pollution caused by conventional building
methods, which was discussed with Ms. Mandilee Newton, a sustainability director at ACLA Architecture, held

at the T&T Chamber of Industry & Commerce.

She clarified that carbon emissions and air pollution were the main factors of pollution by construction.

She also revealed that the construction industry consumes a significant amount of energy, The interview, was

held based on research done by Ms. Mandilee Newton,

Ms. Newton is an award-winning architect with 19 years in the practice, a Leader in Energy &

Environmental Design, the first female director at one of the oldest practices in the Caribbean, and Principal

Architect on major projects within the Caribbean, especially Trinidad.

Being such versed in the field of sustainability and architecture, makes my primary source to be valid.

Additionally just to note, the T&T Green Building Council is directly co-related to the World Green Building

Council, being one of its signatories, which aligns with studies done on the same topic, making this source

reliable.

Question #2:

From air and water pollution to the destruction of natural habitats, the negative effects of these methods

are becoming more and more pronounced. How have these effects impacted communities and individuals in

Trinidad?

My secondary source used contained this statement from a website article from the WHO. The World

Health Organization has redacted that: “Construction activities can have negative impacts on the health and

well-being of local communities, particularly in relation to air & noise pollution.” This website article is from

the WHO, which is an international organization, globally trusted for dealing with a vast amount of potential
hazards for our well-being also the study was consistent when compared to the research done on the same topic

by the TT Green Building Council, which makes this a reliable & valid source of information for my research.

The second source of my primary data came from, doing a survey on my community of New Yalta

Diego Martin, where I randomly sampled fifty (50) members in my nieghbourhood as the sampling population,

for 1. a further understanding of society’s view on the topic and 2. how they were affected. Based on the

statement from the WHO, I designed a questionnaire which had inquires the citizens to find out exactly what

type of pollution in the area was caused by conventional construction methods and how exactly they were

affected.

The modal response for both questions was air pollution and respiratory illnesses. As both primary

sources, (the survey and interview) were consistent with the topic, the origin of my data was valid and reliable.

Question #3:

In this modern world, the harsh reality is that the construction industry has a profound impact on our

environment and communities, leaving behind a detrimental CO2 footprint. But, what if I tell you that there

may be a sparkle of hope?

Conforming to the interview with Ms. Mandilee, she also mentioned that the TT Green Building

Council

there are several specific sustainable building practices that can be implemented to mitigate and prevent the

negative effects of the conventional construction system.

For example:

● Using sustainable materials, such as bamboo and reclaimed wood, in construction

● Using solar-powered, energy-efficient appliances, to reduce energy consumption.

artificial cooling and heating.

● Incorporating green roofs and walls, can help to improve air quality.

Our nation’s council should execute these goals according to the committed statement. By implementing these

sustainable and responsible building practices, we can work towards a more sustainable future for our

communities and the environment of T&T.

Conclusion:

As I wrap up this piece and bring it to a close, I would like to say, that old fashioned way of building practices,

have been proven, based on my research, to significantly impact the environment and citizens in my community

of New Yalta, Diego Martin and T&T on a larger scale.

From pollution and destruction of natural habitats to negative effects on health and well-being, the

effects of construction cannot be ignored.

"Design is not just about aesthetics, it's about problem-solving. It's about creating a solution that not

only looks good but also takes into account the impact it will have on the environment and the people who will

use it."

From architects and engineers to policymakers and citizens, we must all work together to ensure that our

development does not come at the cost of our environment and communities.