Sustainability by design: education for the designed environment

Abstract

The paper notes connections between large scale environmental degradation on the one hand, and civilization as seen from conventional perspectives in western countries on the other. While population growth in less advantaged countries is often seen as the primary threat to sustainability in global development, it is argued that the high levels of resource consumption in the more affluent nations are a major problem. In addition, the latter, through the media, tend to raise the expectations of the less affluent. The paper focuses on the role of the built-environment and its designers in this process. Some alternatives are explored including the reduction of energy consumption, use of natural systems, and of harnessing solar energy. For change to occur, attitudes need to change, and it is suggested that the best place to start is with those societies who "have" rather than those who "have not". This places substantial responsibility for change on the technologically advanced countries of the west. Education and learning are essential ingredients, and the paper points to some new directions that are emerging, as well as some promise for the future.