An Architect's Guide to Designing for Sustainability - Part One
The 1992 Earth Summit challenged humanity to reduce its impact on the Earth. The assembled leaders signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity; endorsed the Rio Declaration and the Forest Principles; and adopted Agenda 21 for achieving sustainable development. The U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) was created in December 1992 to ensure follow-up of UNCED and to monitor and report on implementation of the Earth Summit agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels.
The main thrust of Habitat II was to address two themes of equal global importance: “Adequate shelter for all” and “Sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world”. The second theme combines economic development, social development and environmental protection or what is commonly referred to as the triple bottom line approach. Recognizing the global nature of these issues, the international community has decided that a concerted global approach could greatly enhance progress towards achieving these goals. Of those identified in the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements (see Annexure), the following goals are areas where development professionals could play a direct and substantial role:
Unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, particularly in industrialized countries;
Environmental degradation;
Social and economic inequality;
Inadequate resources;
Lack of basic infrastructure and services;
Lack of adequate planning;
Increased vulnerability to disasters.
Paragraphs 10 & 11, in particular, are highly relevant in this regard. Paragraph 10 reads:
“In order to sustain our global environment and improve the quality of living in our human settlements, we commit ourselves to sustainable patterns of production, consumption, transportation and settlements development; pollution prevention; respect for the carrying capacity of ecosystems; and the preservation of opportunities for future generations.”
Paragraph 11 reads:
“We shall promote the conservation, rehabilitation and maintenance of buildings, monuments, open spaces, landscapes and settlement patterns of historical, cultural, architectural, natural, religious and spiritual value”.
Agenda 21, adopted at Rio de Janeiro, addresses the pressing environment and development problems of today and also aims at preparing the world for the challenges of the next century in order to attain the long-term goals of sustainable development. The preamble to Agenda 21 commences with the following statement: “Humanity stands at a defining moment in history. We are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, a worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being. However, integration of environment and development concerns and greater attention to them will lead to the fulfilment of basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future. No nation can achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a global partnership for sustainable development.”
The document establishes an agenda for sustainable development in four sections, namely the social and economic dimension; the conservation and management of resources for development; strengthening the role of major groups; and means of implementation. Objectives, activities and means of implementation are set out for a number of programme areas. The document sets out in its Sections A to C strategies for accelerating progress towards sustainable development. The objectives that are of particular relevance to the built environment professions are the following:
A. Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives
B. Changing consumption and production patterns
C. Making trade and environment mutually supportive
D. Sustainable human settlements
E. Fresh water
F. Forests
G. Energy.
H. Transport
I. Atmosphere
J. Toxic chemicals
K. Sustainable tourism
L. Transfer of environmentally sound technologies
M. Capacity building
N. Education and awareness
The Resolution of the UN General Assembly in June 1997 reaffirmed that Agenda 21 remains the fundamental programme of action for achieving sustainable development. It also recognised that the achievement of sustainable development requires the integration of its economic, environmental and social components. Extensive efforts need to be made to integrate environmental, economic and social objectives into decision-making by elaborating new policies and strategies for sustainable development or by adapting existing policies and plans.
One such effort is the UNEP International Declaration on Cleaner Production, the wording of which is attached as an annexure.
Agenda 21 establishes a conceptual framework for sustainable construction that defines the links between the global concept of sustainable development and the construction sector and enables other agendas on a local level to be compared and co-ordinated. The main challenges of sustainable construction which emerge are as follows:
v Promoting energy efficiency (energy saving measures; extensive retrofit programmes; transport aspects; use of renewable energies);
v Reducing consumption of high-quality drinking water (relying on rainwater/grey water; reducing domestic consumption with water management systems; waterless sanitation systems and use of drought resistant plants);
v Selecting materials based on environmental performance (use of renewable materials; reduction of the use of natural resources; recycling;
v Contributing to a sustainable urban development (efficient use of land; design for a long service life; the longevity of buildings through adaptability and flexibility; converting existing buildings; refurbishment; sustainable management of buildings; prevention of urban decline and reduction of sprawl; contribution to employment creation; cultural heritage preservation);
v Contribution to poverty alleviation; and
v Healthy and safe working environment.
The objective of this initiative of the CAA is to integrate these strategies and policies into our design methodologies so that they could be integrated into the design of our buildings.
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