An Architect's Guide to Designing for Sustainability - Part One
One of the key objectives – and differences – in this Guide to Designing for Sustainability is the calibration of key design guidelines to internationally accepted measuring devices. The use of this simple yet obvious strategy will enable architects to place their design decision-making process within an international context, and through that contribute directly to global objectives.
The United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development has prepared Indicators of Sustainable Development (see annexure) as a holistic and consistent method for monitoring progress towards sustainable development to assist decision-makers and to increase focus on achieving sustainable development. The indicators recognise the social, environmental and economic components of sustainable development as a means of arriving at a broader, more complete appreciation of communal development.
The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) at its Third Session in April 1995 developed a working list of 134 indicators that were subsequently tested and improved upon at national levels. A revised set of 58 indicators and methodology sheets was prepared and is available for all countries to use.
The design guidelines have acknowledged the indicators and have phrased the design objectives in a manner that will inform the indicators.
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