Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
learning in mind. As an architect would describe it, in any building 'form' and
'function' should be complementary. But there are too many instances where form
and function are not effectively thought through.
In practical terms, sustainable construction can be reduced to three important
messages for the way the industry should work.
•
Buildings and infrastructure projects should become more cost effective to
produce and run, because they have been constructed with less and yield more.
•
Construction projects should contribute positively to their environment, using
materials and systems that are easily replenished over their full life cycle.
•
Contractors and clients should, wherever possible, create higher standards
of respect for people and communities involved with the project, from the site
workers through to the final community of users.
A central purpose of this text has been to encourage students of construction to
engage with modern economic analysis - and, in particular, analysis that includes,
at the very least, a study of economic efficiency, environmental externalities and
social equity. As Professor Charles Kibert (1999: 3-4) one of the first economists
to address the question of sustainable construction perceptively pointed out:
'Economics is of crucial importance in dealing with the subject of sustainability, both
to demonstrate the ultimate advantages of creating a sustainable built environment
as well as to demonstrate the greatly undervalued role that natural systems play in
our economic system'.
Table 15.5
confirms the key ideas that have been raised in this text to assist the
construction industry to move towards achieving sustainable outcomes. From the list
it is evident that the discipline of economics has a lot to offer anyone interested in
understanding ways to overcome the barriers to sustainability.
Key Points 15.1
❍
Sustainability embraces three broad themes: (a) the environment,
(b) the community and (c) the economy.
❍
To achieve sustainable outcomes, a more holistic approach needs to be
developed.
❍
In several countries pursuing sustainability, construction has been singled
out to require special attention. This is partly due to its significant
contributions to the economy, partly due to the negative impacts that
it makes to any sustainable development agenda, but mainly because
construction is so far behind other industrial sectors.
❍
There are many interpretations of sustainable construction due to the fact
that in its most modern guises it extends to adapting to climate change and
achieving a low carbon economy.
❍
Understanding the language and concepts of economics is important to
anyone who is serious about dealing with the subject of sustainability.
