The Built Environment

Definition

• The Built Environment is the man-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity. These activities range from:

• Domestic construction• Commercial and Civic construction• Utilities• Landscaped areas• Communication Infrastructure

and any other man-made structure which has

affected the environment.

Domestic construction

Domestic construction comprises of all types of

buildings that people live in, this could be a simple one

room cottage, through one and two storey dwellings to multi-

storey structures.

New domestic construction designed using high levels of insulation.

Domestic construction

Multi storey domestic construction

Traditional three storey house in Belfast

Commercial and Civic construction

The Ulster bank head office in Belfast is a large commercial

property converted from a disused Church building.

Some buildings are extremely famous such as the Taj Mahal in India. It’s construction started in 1931 and took 22 years to complete.

As many as 28 different varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were used to adorn the Taj with exquisite inlay work.

Utilities

Utility services make an important

contribution to the Built Environment. The

following are some of the most common

services:

–Electricity

–Gas

–Water–Communications

Landscaped areas which have been altered by man

The following are examples of some of thetypes of area which may be landscaped:• Parks and play areas• Gardens

Glenarm Castle Walled Garden

Landscaped areas which have been altered by man

The following are examples of some of thetypes of area which may be landscaped:• Sport areas such a

football pitches• Paved areas such a streets

Stamford Bridge, London

Street scape Prague

Communication Infrastructure

Communication Infrastructure includes:

• The road network

• The railway network

• Water supper Network

• Air traffic