Title: Sustainability: an individual or collective endeavour?

Authors: Brenda Vale, Robert Vale

Addresses: Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. ' Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract: The discussion on sustainability is often focused on indicators that measure the progress towards sustainability or on checklists that suggest what needs to be done to create sustainable buildings. This article argues that most of these systems are predicated on maintaining the status quo and that real sustainability cannot be achieved unless there is a collective vision of what can and should be achieved within the resources available. It also argues that sustainability indicators tend to be considered in isolation rather than together. This runs against the ecological approach that is based upon understanding linkages. Examples related to the built environment are discussed in detail.

Keywords: sustainability indicators; Utopia; collective vision; sustainable development; ecology; built environment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2008.022225

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2008 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.185 - 200

Published online: 24 Dec 2008 *

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