Sustainable Construction Relative to a Conceptual Analysis of Sustainable Development

The concept of sustainable development has been proposed as an appropriate response to the contemporary environmental crisis, although there are a range of opinions regarding what form this notion should take. Sustainable construction, as the construction industry’s contribution to sustainable development, has an important role to play in the practical realisation of the concept. Therefore, sustainable development was considered in terms of a range of constituent views, grouped into three categories of perspectives pertaining to the perceived extent of change required to bring about a more sustainable future. These categories were defined as institutional / status quo, academic / reform and ideological / transformation. Reflecting the nascency and complexity of the sustainable development concept, certain views could be grouped in multiple categories.
Through this analysis it is averred that sustainable construction can be readily
associated with institutional and, to a lesser extent, moderate reforming conceptions of sustainable development. However, practices grounded in transformative notions are required in order to mitigate the severity of outcomes associated with incessant environmental degradation. Although the means exist by which the construction industry can be encouraged to embark on a transformative path, it remains uncertain as to whether sufficient resolve exists generally to enact such an approach.