Positive development and assessment

Abstract

Purpose – There has been a tendency in sustainability science to be passive. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an alternative positive framework for a more active and direct approach to sustainable design and assessment that de-couples environmental impacts and economic growth. Design/methodology/approach – This paper deconstructs some systemic gaps that are critical to sustainability in built environment management processes and tools, and reframes negative “sustainable” decision making and assessment frameworks into their positive counterparts. In particular, it addresses the omission of ecology, design and ethics in development assessment. Findings – Development can be designed to provide ecological gains and surplus “eco-services,” but assessment tools and processes favor business-as-usual. Despite the tenacity of the dominant paradigm (DP) in sustainable development institutionalized by the Brundtland Report over 25 years ago, these omissions are easily corrected. Research limitations/implications – The limitation is that the author was unable to find exceptions to the omissions cited here in the extensive literature on urban planning and building assessment tools. However, exceptions prove the rule. The implication is that it is not too late for eco-positive retrofitting of cities to increase natural and social capital. The solutions are just as applicable in places like China and India as the USA, as they pay for themselves. Originality/value – Positive development (PD) is a fundamental paradigm shift that reverses the negative models, methods and metrics of the DP of sustainable development. This paper provides an example of how existing “negative” concepts and practices can be converted into positive ones through a PD prism. Through a new form of bio-physical design, development can be a sustainability solution.

Critical success factors for implementing building information modeling and sustainability practices in construction projects: A Delphi survey

“…In countries such as China and Malaysia, construction‐related activities account for 45–46% of the overall energy consumption (Malaysian Industry‐Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), ; Zhaojian & Yi, ), along with about 30% of solid waste in China (Lu & Tam, ) and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia (MIGHT, ). These case studies reveal the immense potential for the construction industry to embrace the ideals of sustainability (Birkeland, ) as well as its cohesive implementation with smart technologies. Therefore, because the construction activities involved several stakeholders such as the clients, architects, project managers, and engineers (Olawumi & Ayegun, ), it is necessary for the stakeholders to be well experienced in the use and implementation of smart tools such as BIM and adhere to the ideals of sustainability (Tsai et al, ).…”

Transforming Cape Vert Informal Settlements

“…contexts, and for political reasons, all the workshops and summits occurred at the geographic junction of the two settlements [36,37]. The results of the plenary discussions were very positive, so the extant settlements were able to integrate new equipment into their location [38] (Figure 7).…”

“…In view of the expected need for regulation in the occupied land areas and the reconstruction of walls and fences for the transfer of rights between land users, the participation model chosen by the team was that of plenary assemblies [35]. Given the economic and social contexts, and for political reasons, all the workshops and summits occurred at the geographic junction of the two settlements [36,37]. The results of the plenary discussions were very positive, so the extant settlements were able to integrate new equipment into their location [38] (Figure 7).…”

Citizens' quality of life and the conceptual relationship with smart cities: A literature review

“…This relationship can be achieved through smart cities. In theory, this city model can contribute to the formation of high-quality, healthy urban spaces with regenerative environments modeled on the premise of circulating economy reducing negative impacts on the natural environment [30], [3], [7], [8].…”