Resilient and Responsible Architecture and Urbanism

Our attitudes, business models, products, services and actions related to the design, build, maintenance and transformation of our Built Environments have to change fundamentally. New build, renovation, and restoration projects increasingly focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, sustainable building, water management and resource efficiency. This is not so strange when you consider the implications of a growing global population and rise in living standards. More and more Resources will be necessary to meet global demand.

For a long time, we have treated natural resources as if they were infinite and the use of toxic substances as something of little significance. Those times now seem to be well and truly over. From studies towards major turnarounds in our society by Economists, we know that major transitions occur when Structural social changes meet major economic developments and new disruptive technology. Recent financial crises, a major increase of world population, growing resource usage, Changing Demographics (e.g. aging & urbanization) in combination with the possibilities created by the disruptive information and communication technologies is an indication that we are currently on the threshold of such a period in history. This presents major challenges to our society, the current built environment and consequently to architecture, urban planning, and the construction sector.