Environmental issues glossary

A glossary of words and phrases used in green construction and sustainable development.

U

Urban sprawl

The growth outwards at the edge of a city, typically suburbs in more economically developed cities, or squatter settlements in poorer countries.

Urban village

The concept of a close knit community style development in the middle of a city, where people live, use services and work all in a small area. Helps Sustainability because it minimises movements. Examples are BedZed, Silvertown in Docklands, or Chapel in Southampton.

U-value

Is a measure of thermal transmittance through a building component usually a roof, wall, window, door, or floor. The U-value multiplied by the area of the component gives the rate of energy (heat) loss through the component per unit of temperature difference between inside and outside air temperatures.

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