Architecture and Sustainability

In the MVB Buildings and Circular Economy Seminar in 2019 there was also an excellent presentation by Vibeka Grupe Larsen from the Danish Association of Architects outlining and recommending ways in which architecture can positively assist the search for the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. In this synopsis and commentary by MVB Chairman Alistair Speirs, all of Vibeke’s main points are presented and but not necessarily in their original format or context, but hopefully this has stayed true to their original intent. Ms. Larsen started her presentation by re-emphasizing the reasons why we have to move to sustainability:

“Business in no way ideally accelerates the transition to a prosperous future for all” she said, “we need to focus on three bottom lines: people, profit and planet”. In 2023, Copenhagen will host the Union of International Architects World Congress to explore the theme of ‘Sustainable Future’, and how architects can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but they already have the UIA SDG Dhaka Declaration which we reproduce in full on the next page. This really is their chart of commitment. But what exactly within these theoretical pledges can architects do? Here are some areas highlighted by Ms. Larsen:

“The wealth of society is tied up in bricks and mortar” Ms. Larsen said, encouraging us to look to the circular economy in the future so that “built capital” can be released. She said that buildings should now be flexible to meet new needs, with “design for disassembly” leading the way in circular construction, with new efficient building processes allowing flexibility for transformation. Ultimately, she recommended that “re-use is good for the bottom line”, urging us to focus on reclaiming used materials and reusing them, recycling into resource efficiency systems allowing transformation and a much more ‘sharing economy’. The cost of not acting on climate change “was over US$ 15 trillion”, she said. Inspiration to take action indeed. Vibeke Grupe Larsen possesses a broad spectrum of knowledge on sustainable cities and buildings—solutions, leadership, business development, strategy, and SGDs. Vibeke grupe Larsen is a lecturer and teacher with competencies including architecture and sustainable building design, process, project, and product development, research, and development, communication and a change management and leadership. Over the last few decades, tremendous progress has been made in improving the health, education, and well-being of people around the world. However, this development has been accompanied by environmental damage, climate change, and resource depletion as well as social and cultural challenges. In 2015, the nations of the world came together and laid out the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. Architecture interacts with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and architects can help the goals to be achieved. As architects, we have the responsibility to contribute to the built environment and make choices that change the world for the better—through better buildings, settlements, landscape architecture and urban planning. The UIA, UIA SDG Commission, Arcasia and the Institute of Architects Bangladesh signed the UIA SDG Dhaka Declaration on 13 April 2019, calling on architects to strive for these Goals in their own practice and as civic leaders.

We call on architects worldwide to take action in their own practice and as civic leaders to shape their work and their words to help achieve these goals:

International Union of Architects (UIA) is an international non-governmental organisation based in Paris. Established in 1948, it is the only organisation representing architects across the globe working to unify architects, influence public policies on construction and development, and advance architecture in service to the needs of society.

This article is originally from paper. Read NOW!Jakarta Magazine March 2020 issue “Property, Architecture & Design". Available at selected bookstores or SUBSCRIBE here.