While the questions above seem fairly
basic, they are critical for developing a solid foundation of the
concepts of sustainability and the methods for its achievement. The
questions seem simple, but their solutions are much more complex.
There are plenty of good rational reasons to be addressing the issue of
sustainability. Sustainability concepts add another dimension to
community competitiveness. Cities acquire an additional layer of
appeal by embracing sustainability principles, and they can also
operate more efficiently in the process. Premiums are available to
participating private-sector real estate owners and developers, and
returns are likely to be maximized with closely coordinated public and
private sustainability practices.
To take these rational reasons into reality, both attitudes and
applications must be considered. Sustainability can be an emotionally
charged issue. From an attitudinal perspective there is a need for
greater awareness of what sustainability is and how it can be
achieved. In order to do so we need to overcome the “sustainability problem." This problem can be attributed to misrepresentations,
misunderstandings, negative connotations, and narrow definitions
attached to the concept. Sustainability extends beyond simply being
‘green’ and is not the latest fad or trend, doomed to die off in a few
year’s time. In this blogsite, we look beyond sustainability as a term
or a label and dig deeper into understanding its core principles and
foundation. By effectively looking at the roots of sustainability we
gain a better understanding of how these principles can be applied in
real-world settings.
The private sector must overcome preconceived notions of
sustainability. There are tangible benefits for the private sector as
well as the greater community to be derived from adopting sustainable
practices.
To implement sustainable practices, the public and private sectors will
benefit from comprehensive frameworks that outline processes for
knowledge accumulation, communication, design and administration, and
program monitoring. The frameworks are the backbone for holistically
integrating sustainable practices into decision-making processes and
operating procedures.
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