A Study On Taiwan’s Green Building Biodiversity Index

In1999, the Architecture and Building Research Institute, a leading national research agency in Taiwan under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior, began to promote and implement the Taiwan Green Building Assessment System (TGBAS). The Biodiversity Index was added into the assessment system in2003. From then on, the evaluating items of biodiversity index has been constantly revised and adjusted every two years. Among the9major indices of the TGBAS, the biodiversity index covering the largest scopes is the most frequently revised one. Thus it is obvious to learn the importance of the biodiversity index. The biodiversity index has been introduced for more than ten years, and it is time to review and analyze the present implementation results including the scoring system. Based on case studies, this research will help us to realize the intentions and weighting factors of designated items in biodiversity index.This research will exam all the cases that obtained the certified Green Building Label on the biodiversity index from2006-2012. According to the building types, the ratio of total application amounts will be calculated and analyzed. By taking20%of the categorized cases as sampling, this research focuses on the content and assessment method of each item. Through data collecting, field research, and formula calculations, the green building index information of each building case will be organized and transferred to the form of tables, graphs and charts. Following these steps, the biodiversity index’s classifications and the index’s designed item assessment standards are comparatively studied, and the biodiversity index’s assessment standard values for BDc are reviewed and discussed. In the end, all the data and information are organized, and the outcomes are analyzed to suggest the feasible programs on promoting green building policies in Taiwan. By the way, this work will give help to the candidate buildings for acquiring the Green Building Label on biodiversity index, as well as to the authority organizations for adjusting and revising its assessment system. This research also provides the follow-up research directions. The conclusions and suggestions are as below:(1) Except the applications from school and governmental building, there are only few applications and less interest for the biodiversity index. To encourage the applications, it is suggested providing incentives and revising policies; such as increasing floor area ratio, decreasing property tax, and offering finance. Furthermore, simplifying the application process for certified Green Building Label and biodiversity index, as well as incentive procedures will also improve the application efficiency.(2) The qualification threshold of biodiversity index’s assessment is inexact, and the classifications and items of different types are various, causing assessments between different situations in classifications to be indistinct. By lowering the total green area ratio and adjusting classification and item, the point distribution will be fairer and the gaps of total points between different items will be decreased. In addition, increasing the qualification standards and the proportions of total points in biodiversity index’s evaluation will also make index design items more diverse.(3) The interest in application for three-dimensional green network and biological corridor of Ecological Green Network is low. It’s suggested the public-operated corporations improve research and promote the design, construction, and maintenance of the three-dimensional green network and biological corridor, as well as encourage the public to apply these items.(4) Total points for Small Organism Habitat are high, but is ineffective. The Ecological Isle achievement is even worse. Therefore, it’s suggested that lowlands, slopes, fragmental or marginal land, low walls close natural ponds and water bodies, enclosed slope walls should be chosen as the small organism habitat or the ecological isle when promoting the designs. Small organism habitats have shown their harmonious relationship with human life in the past research.(5) Plant Diversity achievement rate was high, but most of the cases are usually using vines, and the cases of shrubs and green covered hybrid plant areas are minority. It’s suggested that the importance of shrubs should be emphasized more, and studies of shrubs should also be promoted for greater diversity of plants. Furthermore, there is a demand for planting more regional plants and increase green covered hybrid plant areas that can attract birds and butterflies.(6) The low interest of Soil Ecology application causes the less achievement rate. It is advised that topsoil should be moved to a different place for protection before the construction launches. When construction approaching the end, the topsoil can be put back on the top and act as a topsoil cover. In order to prevent the destruction of ecosystem in the soil, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, weed-killers, and any kind of chemicals should be forbidden. On the other hand, Organic fertilizers, leftover and fallen leave compost should be encouraged to use to make organisms in the soil grow and live.