Architects and developers need not oppose each other when it comes to sustainability. But, in order to work together for a more sustainable future, we need to talk about sustainability in a new and different way.

The 2005 World Summit established three goals for sustainable development. They are: economic development, social development, and environmental protection. Each of these aims are inextricably connected to the others. It is generally accepted that in order to accomplish sustainable development, the first two goals should be constrained by the final goal of protecting the environment. Unfortunately this assumption inhibits the process of truly sustainable development by pitting the economic and social needs of a project against the preservation of the environment. This limited view on the subject frequently generates unnecessary conflict.

We should not be pushing economic and social development to the breaking point and then stepping off the gas just in time to (hopefully) prevent catastrophic devastation to the environment. The purpose of sustainable development is not to limit social and economic growth, but rather to rethink how it is accomplished.

What Sustainability IS

Sustainability is the ability to exist constantly. It is the ability for something to be maintained at a certain rate or level. Much of the development across the world is propelled by political mechanisms that incentivize building at a rate that cannot realistically be maintained. But what is more problematic is the poor quality of such projects. Their design lacks the timeless nature required to be preserved by future generations.

Indeed, a component of sustainability is the act of preserving natural resources, but the actual physical form of what we build should also demonstrate the value we place on the environment. While it is very important to design energy efficient buildings with locally sourced materials, each of these efforts will break down if the building does not provide enough economic or social value.

If a development is not useful or attractive to people it is viewed as disposable. If we could build more meaningful places we would be more confident in our ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It’s not enough for us to check the boxes on the use of sustainable technologies – we need to create a higher standard for design across the board. We need more design that people love because it is beautiful, exciting, and meets their needs. Once we have accomplished that, then we can apply all of our favorite sustainable technologies and practices.

What Sustainability ISN’T

Sustainability is not a concern unique to environmentalists. It is a concept that can be applied to business, finance, and a plethora of other disciplines. In fact, every developer is hugely concerned with the sustainability of his or her project. They need to know that there will be enough future demand to turn a profit. Developers understand, perhaps better than most, how what we do now with our resources has consequences in the future.

We need to build bigger, better, and more carefully than we have in the past. We need the opportunity to implement and test the latest technologies and continue to respond to cultural progress. Therefore, sustainability is not an uncompromising rejection of new development. Individuals who resist all new development under their own banner of sustainability are misrepresenting the concept. It’s true that some development should be limited due to environmental concerns, but the world still needs new development to happen.

Sustainability is also not an excuse to disregard the needs of people. Our societies must learn how to take care of each other before we can ever hope to successfully take care of the planet.

Finally, sustainability is not something that you need to feel guilty about. We all share the responsibility for sustainable development. There is no need to shame one another for any perceived shortcomings in sustainability. Let’s just continue to work together for a better world step by step. As long as we are all moving together in the right direction, sustainability will be achievable.

Turning the Page

Architects and developers need not oppose each other. We can all agree that we want our projects to have meaning and stand the test of time for future generations to experience and enjoy. We can play to each other’s strengths and team up to create innovative solutions to today’s challenges.

Architects need to work with developers in order to turn their creative vision into reality. Without real projects with real economics, the sustainable values of an architect are just philosophical. Sustainable projects have to be built to have real-world impact.

On the other hand, developers need to collaborate with architects in order to successfully craft the storyline for sustainability in a way that it can become a true selling point for the whole project. Design is about communication – and developers need the expertise of architects to communicate the value of a sustainable project to the end user. Nobody wants to live in a wasteful development. Architects can ensure that the sustainability message comes through with each design detail.

It’s time to ditch the short term view where sustainability is the be-all and end-all and needs to be fought over. Instead, architects and developers can make sustainable projects while increasing the quality of life and enjoyment of the end user, as well as the investor’s bottom line.

We would all be better off if we spent more time worrying about the experience of the end user and less time trying to justify the cost of “going green” with sustainable technology. After all, it doesn’t matter how much we try to save the planet if nobody wants to participate. We invite our users to join the sustainability movement by designing sustainable places for them to enjoy. Then, they can be empowered to become champions of sustainability without reservation because their lifestyles are more consistent with sustainable values.

When we create places where people want to be, we build longevity. When people care deeply about a place and want to help it last and succeed, we know we’ve got ourselves a truly sustainable place.

In the end, the well-established cliches are false. Developers do care about sustainability and designers can’t care too much. We just need to stop arguing long enough to see we’re all working toward the same goal – environmental protection that comes by and through social and economic development.