Introduction to Environmental Studies

2.1. Introduction to Tools for Recording and Observation of Macro Environment: Tools are devices or implements that are especially held in the hand and used for carrying out a particular function. A tool is also a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task. A tool is any instrument or simple piece of equipment or machine that you hold in your hands and use to do a particular kind of work. Recording is the action or process of recording sound, scene or a performance for subsequent reproduction or for the broadcast later. Music, sounds, or images that have been stored on a record, CD, computer, etc., so that they can be heard or seen again is called recording. It is also the act or process of storing sounds or images on tape or a disk. In order to understand and improve cities today, personal surveillance is quite important tool for recording and observation of macro environment. For an architect recording is done through sketches of interior and exterior environment. ...

2.1. Topography, Natural Features, Geography, Location, Technology, etc.   2.1.1.       Topography: Generally, topography is understood as the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area for example its hills, valleys, or rivers, or the representation of these features on maps. The topography of a particular area is its physical shape, including its hills, valleys, and rivers. Topography is the study or detailed description of the surface features of a region. Topography is the process of detailed mapping of the configuration of a region. Topography is also the land forms or surface configuration of a region. Topography is the method of surveying of a region's surface features. Technically, Topography is the study of the shape and features of the surface of the Earth and other observable astronomical objects including planets, moons, and asteroids. The topography of an area could refer to the surface shapes and featu...

CHAPTER 2. COMPONENTS OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 2.1. Land Use, Transportation, Community Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure: 2.1.1.       Land Use: Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as settlements and semi-natural habitats such as arable fields, pastures, and managed woods. It also has been defined as "the total of arrangements, activities, and inputs that people undertake in a certain land cover type." Land use and land management practices have a major impact on natural resources including water, soil, nutrients, plants and animals. Land use information can be used to develop solutions for natural resource management issues such as salinity and water quality. For instance, water bodies in a region that has been deforested or having erosion will have different water quality than those in areas that are forested. Forest gardening, a plant-based food production...

EXERCISE – 1: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:   i.        Define and Explain the following concepts: a.       Natural Environment b.       Built Environment c.       Physical Environment d.       Non-Physical Environment e.       Sociology f.        Art g.       Culture h.       Economy i.        Politics j.        Technology k.       Society ii.       Differentiate Between: a.       Natural and Built Environment b.       Physical and Non Physical Environment iii.      Establish the Relationship Between: a.     ...

1.9.   Karachi’s History and the City’s Context: 1.9.1. Early Period: Karachi has a very long history. It is believed that, this city existed since prehistoric times with a prehistoric Mahadev Cave Temple and Ram Bagh of c.1000 BC. Both these places still existed in the city. The recorded historic era of this city begins with Alexander the Great in c.326 BC. Following is the timeline of events, rulers and physical developments in the history of this city which describe in details the history and context of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.  The recorded historic era of Karachi begins from c.326 BC. At that time it was southern territory of Sindh and all the rulers who came afterwards kept control of Karachi one way or another. It is evident from Greek records that, Alexander the Great set his sail from the Manora Island in Karachi when he was leaving back to Babylonia. After this record there was a Buddhist and Jain period about which the historical records are unavailabl...