Sustainable development
(SD) is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while
preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for
generations to come. The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has
become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as development that "meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs."
Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with
the social challenges facing humanity. As early as the 1970s "sustainability" was employed to
describe an economy "in equilibrium with basic ecological support systems." Ecologists have
pointed to The Limits to Growth, and presented the alternative of a "steady state economy" in
order to address environmental concerns. The field of sustainable can be conceptually broken
into three constituent parts: environmental sustainability, economics, sustainability and
sociopolitical sustainability.
Sustainable development does not focus solely on environmental issues. In 1987, the United
Nations released the Brundtland Report, which defines sustainable development as 'development
which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.'[8]
Sustainable development is an eclectic concept, as a wide array of views fall under its umbrella.
The concept has included notions of weak sustainability, strong sustainability and deep ecology.
Different conceptions also reveal a strong tension between eco-centrism
and anthropocentrism. Many definitions and images (Visualizing Sustainability) of sustainable
development coexist. Broadly defined, the sustainable development mantra enjoins current
generations to take a systems approach to growth and development and to manage natural,
produced, and social capital for the welfare of their own and future generations. Sustainable
development is said to set limits on the developing world. While current first world countries
polluted significantly during their development, the same countries encourage third world
countries to reduce pollution, which sometimes impedes growth. Some consider that the
implementation of sustainable development would mean a reversion to pre-modern lifestyles.
Role of Architects in Modern Concepts in Sustainable Design
The concept of Sustainability has been misunderstood today. Acceptance of this new concept
by the people has not really been satisfactory. People are reluctant to compromise the kind of
lifestyle they live. This compromises the aim of achieving Sustainability.
Green Buildings, improved Sustainability, economy for all and thereby better future is an
important issue that needs thought. Reducing energy consumption in a building is not enough.
Many dimensions need to be considered to achieve sustainability like-transportation networks,
environmental management etc.Architects all over the world have been focussing on the
concept of Sustainability. There has been a lot of chaos and confusion in actually understanding
the gist of this unusual concept.
Architecture and Sustainability Factors
Sustainability presents itself as a unique challenge in the field of Architecture Construction
projects typically consume large amounts of materials, produce tons of waste, and often involve
weighing the preservation of buildings that have historical significance against the desire for
the development of newer, more modern designs.
Sustainable construction is defined as “the creation and responsible management of a healthy
built environment based on resource efficient and ecological principles”. Sustainably designed
buildings aim to lessen their impact on our environment through energy and resource
efficiency.
Modern Concepts aiming at Sustainability should include the following principles:
Minimizing non-renewable resource consumption
Enhancing the natural environment
Eliminating or minimizing the use of toxic materials
“Sustainable buildings” can be defined as those buildings that have minimum adverse effects on
the built and natural environments, in terms of the buildings themselves, their immediate
surroundings and the broader regional and global setting. Thus, the rational use of natural
resources and appropriate management of the building stock will contribute to saving scarce
resources reducing energy consumption and improving environmental quality.
Sustainable buildings should:
Harvest all their own water and energy needs on site.
Be adapted specifically to site climate and evolve as conditions change.
Operate pollution free and generate no waste that aren’t useful for some other process
in the building or immediate environment.
Promote the health and well-being of all inhabitants, as a healthy ecosystem does.
It should comprise energy efficient integrated systems that maximize efficiency and
comfort.
Improve the health and diversity of the local ecosystem rather than degrade it.
Be beautiful and inspire us to dream.
Sustainable design is the thoughtful integration of architecture with electrical, mechanical, and
structural engineering. In addition to concern for the traditiona; aesthetics of massing,
proportion, scale, texture. Shadow and light, the facility design team needs to be concerned
with long term costs: environmental, economic and human. All in all sustainable design is more
of a philosophy of a building than perspective building style.
