ABSTRACT
We live in a time of increased scientific understanding of human-induced stresses on natural systems, as well as unprecedented access to information about these impacts. But information is only a means to an end – it has to be interpreted and translated into effective decision-making, whether in the political realm or within the day-to-day activity of building design and construction. Indeed, how we choose to act on the current understanding of resource use and environmental degradation over the next decade or so will prove decisive in any rational transition towards sustainable patterns of living. Moreover, within the current context of rapid and widespread urbanization, it is equally critical to understand the implications of design decisions across a variety of scales – from individual buildings to whole cities. Although profound changes in the design of buildings and human settlement patterns are unlikely until there is a fundamental shift in societal values and expectations, two key mechanisms for improving building performance are regulation and voluntary market-based programmes.
