Design and Sustainability in Practice: Valuing the Territory as a Possibility

Abstract

Since the industrial revolution, the consumption of objects by society has only increased. We are now facing an unsustainable scenario, since "sustainable development is, of course, incompatible with the unrestricted play of market forces" (SACHS, 2009, p. 55). In this sense, there is a great question about which path to follow. Does it make sense for designers to continue designing without a more critical evaluation of how we consume? What is the current goal of design? What is its current purpose?In order for us to truly move forward in terms of sustainability, a deeper change of paradigm and behavior is necessary. But for that, it is necessary to leave our comfort zone. This in itself is an arduous task, since "it is natural in man to be free and want to be free; but it is also in his nature to keep certain habits that education gives him" (BOÉTIE, 1982).We are living an unprecedented globalization and urbanization process. Since the great navigations, when all parts of the world started to communicate (MORIN; WULF, 2003, p. 22), there has never been such a possibility of worldwide connection. We are one click away from almost any kind of information and people.