Sustainable Public Spaces

Growing Awareness

Development should address equal consideration in social, economic, and environmental areas to achieve vibrant and truly sustainable communities. We are at the beginning of widespread acceptance of Sustainability.

Sustainable Communities

Sustainable community development embraces a wide array of opportunities and options. It values the diversity of interests and supports health and prosperity.

Benefits and Goals include:

		Public and Private Partnerships
		Involvement of Stakeholders
		Increased Education and Technical Skills
		Increase and Protect Quality of Life
		Infrastructure, Community Facilities, Green Space, Technology

Design and Operations

The expanded definition of sustainability is to include transportation, building flexibility, productivity improvements, waste minimization, and security.

Opportunities exist in construction and maintenance, or the life cycle of the project. Objectives include:

		Increased personal Quality-of-Life and Productivity
		Enhanced Energy and Water
		Increase Flexibility to adapt Change
		Lower Maintenance Costs
		Efficient Resource and Material Use

Terminology:

“Sustainability is basically a concept about the interconnectedness of the environment, the economy, and social equity.

It is a journey — a path forward - through which we demonstrate responsibility for our future legacy. It is a vision — an aspiration — for a better life for our children and our children’s children.”

— LANL Sustainable Design Guide, 2002

In some countries the term sustainable design is known as EcoDesign,
Green Design, or Environmental Design ...

... Over recent years, the terms Sustainable Design and Design for
Sustainability have become more globally accepted. Sustainable
Development defined as:

“... Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

— Geo Harlem Brundtland, 1987
Prime Minister of Norway