sustainable development
Sustainable development can be defined as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet to meet their own needs” (Langston & Ding, 2001) Thus, any activity that may be defined as sustainable may neither degrade nor excessively deplete natural resources, nor may it have a detrimental impact on the global environment to be inherited by future generations. (Langston & Ding, 200
Environmental awareness is becoming increasingly high on the agenda of modern business practices as all sectors are looking to ‘go green’. Thus, the future of property development must lie in sustainable development. The increasing importance of sustainability is a result of the following factors, inter alia.
The construction industry forms a massive part of carbon emission and therefore must employ sustainable practices.
Legislation regarding carbon emissions is bound to increase in the near future as government becomes more environmentally aware.
The green building movement is becoming increasingly prominent and popular
Power and water restrictions in South Africa further enhance the need for alternative energy sources.
Green Rating Systems have become common practice in international property development
‘While the growing use of the term (sustainable development) has led to a loss of clarity which needs to be addressed, what is important for us about sustainable development is its recognition of interconnections between a number of crucial areas. These are environmental degradation; inequality; the future stability of society and the environment; and lastly, participation in and control of the decisions which affect theses areas.’ (Williamson et al, 2003)
All professional disciplines evolve over time in reaction to developments and changes in global issues, attitudes and practices. Shifts in the economic, scientific, technological and political environment affect wide ranging disciplines; design and construction is a critical segment of the global sustainable movement.(Williamson et al, 2003)
All professional disciplines evolve over time in reaction to developments and changes in global issues, attitudes and practices. Shifts in the economic, scientific, technological and political environment affect wide ranging disciplines; design and construction is a critical segment of the global sustainable movement.(Williamson et al, 2003)
To this end, project teams who design and construct new buildings must take cognizance of the relationship between design and ecology and the impact that buildings have on the natural environment (Mcdonough, 2004). Thus, constituents of the design and construction process are compelled to adapt their disciplines to embrace the practical concepts exemplified in ‘green’ philosophy. New ideas, concerns and regulation have resulted in a rethink on architectural practice in a response to a contemporary consciousness of environmental sustainability. (Williamson et al, 2003)
In the past design was applied as a response to its environment i.e. it could withstand the pressures of its external climactic conditions. The focus has now shifted towards the pressures which the building places on its environment (Mcdonough, 2004). Previously, analysis of the environment in building operations was limited to assessment of the suitability of the building to its environmental context, whereas the consequences to the environment are now taken into account. (Williamson et al, 2003)