Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the nature of green building in the least developed regions (LDRs) of our world, identifying the main issues that define sustainability in those contexts. It is not intent to re-invent a method for guiding and evaluating attempts at green building, but rather to build upon the good work already done to date in the area of green building. The book describes green building strategies and ideas useful in the LDR context and presents a tool that useful for architects, designers and others involved in the built environment who were called to work in those contexts. It focuses the elements of local building culture that most critical to the success of green building projects in the LDRs. The book identifies challenges to understanding the complexity of sustainability issues in the LDR context.