Impressions of “International Seminar on Theorizing

Sustainability”

In the backdrop of NCA-Edge Hill partnership, developed for evolving specialized

program on sustainability, the theme was chosen to build an academic

framework for teaching and learning of sustainability concepts in the built

environment. Topics for presentations and deliberations focused upon concepts

of academic interest relevant to application and pragmatic thinking.

Challenge before sustainability….. Presentation by Dr. Nigel Richardson (Edge Hill University) on “Climate Change

and Built Environment” set the tone for the seminar. In fact the issues of

sustainability flow from the irreversible changes that have been caused by

‘anthropogenic forcings’. Current positive interventions leading to mitigation of

the present accelerated climate change crisis would begin to show results only

after 2040. Thus, the magnitude of inertia already set in and the consequences

on built environment need radical innovations. Dr. Richardson identified specific

areas of built environment that are likely to be impacted to the level of being

crippled. Change in weather pattern, flooding making drainage systems

ineffective, frequent heat waves, strengthening of urban heat island effect,

deterioration of air quality leading to health problems, increased frequency and

intensity of rainfall are some of the impacts that would need to be addressed by

academics, research community and professionals. The presentation, thus laid

the context for sustainability.

Dr. Magda Sibley (University of Liverpool) in her presentation on “Sustainable

Building Design: Some Contemporary Thoughts”, too highlighted the issues of

climate change with specific reference to architecture. One could see a subtle

message of disconnect with traditional wisdom in built environment and the

consequent global climate crisis.

Mr. Muhammad Ali Tirmizi (National College of Arts, Lahore), addressed the

issues pertaining to green architecture and sustainability in the context of

Pakistan in his presentation on “Sustainable Building Design Strategies for

Pakistan”. At 10% consumption in embodied energy and 43% in operational

energy in building sector in Pakistan, there is an opportunity to make substantial

energy savings. Attributing over consumption to inefficient build design and

construction practices, Mr. Tirmizi expressed his optimism to save 20-50%

operational energy. The challenge for Pakistan is the alarming rate of depletion

of natural resources due to demand for building materials. While underlining

sustainable options, Mr. Tirmizi, reminded of traditional wisdom in architecture,

which needs to be re-discovered in the present day context.

Availability of effective renewable technologies is a major concern, especially for

the developing economies. Are there enough efforts made to research and

develop affordable effective renewable energy technologies for sustainable

development? Mr. Shiraj Mahmood,(a practicing architect /planner in London),

underlined some of these apprehensions in his presentation on “Renewable

Energy Resources in Sustainable Building Design”.

Together, Dr. Richardson, Dr. Sibley, Mr. Tirmizi and Mr. Mahmood, presented

the perspective of sustainability discussion embracing specific challenges arising

out of climate change, the need to research contemporary solutions around

traditional wisdom and a possibly situational disadvantage created by

inadequate interests and policy initiatives for clean energy.

Sustainability dimensions… Architecture, planning and engineering are known to play a major role in

creating sustainable built environment although it is also well recognized that

sustainability encompasses economic, social and environmental aspects. Key-

note presentation by Dr. Tasleem Shakur (Edge Hill University) convincingly

argued the significance of human geography in meeting the objectives of

sustainability through his key note paper entitled “Theorizing Sustainable Design

Through Human Geographies”. According to Dr. Shakur, needs and limits are

intrinsic to the definitions of sustainability. Whether it is ‘north south dialogue

between industrial and non-industrial countries on demand and supply of

international trade’ or basic concepts of sustainability, the issue of ‘needs and

limits’ is the key determinant. This in turn, relates to human and social

dimensions. Therefore, could there be sustainable development without

comprehensive social and human perspective?

Dr. Shakur identified and illustrated emerging contemporary principles as;

understanding place; connecting with nature and natural processes;

understanding environmental impact; embracing co-operating design; and,

understanding people. Thus, it can be seen that the ‘contemporary principles’ are

aimed at creating a ‘humane’ foundation for the sustainable built environment.

Essence of Dr. Shakur’s emphasis on human and social issues could also be seen

in the activities of COMTECHSA (a Liverpool based community technical

/architectural service center), presented by Ms. Rosie Jolly (COMTECHSA,

Liverpool)and the case study presentation of a ‘green building’ of Health Faculty

of Edge Hill University by Ms. Catherine Murrey, Mr. David Oldham and Mr.

Andrew Brown (project Architect). The site visit to Academy of St. Francis of

Assisi, Liverpool demonstrated the human and social interplay in a sustainable

built environment in practice.

The approach of COMTECHSA to work with local communities and evolve

solutions relevant to their needs is modeled on technical validity as well as social

dimensions of sustainability.

‘Green building’ case study of Health Faculty of Edge Hill University was an

excellent example of a technical solution to the functional needs of a built facility.

Truly, an ‘RICS award-winning’ building. However, what this prima facie

appreciation misses is the context that Dr. Shakur referred to. The quality of

work-life of the occupants, as expressed by them during the visit, social

integration of faculty and student community groups through spatial planning,

access to the work spaces in informal areas were some of the human and social

dimensions wherein the building, as a system really excelled. Thus, it is the social

dimension that makes the ‘built environment’ of a building meaningfully

sustainable and allows the community to embrace the facility.

Academy of St. Francis of Assisi, Liverpool is a school building with a difference.

Building is clearly a demonstration of energy efficient technologies employed for

the functional needs. A text book solution on building orientation, use of ‘thermal

wall’ (concrete), high solar radiation heat gain during winters and the opposite

during summer by appropriately inclined transparent double-membrane glazing,

daylight accessed spaces, use of photovoltaic’s etc. What is beyond these

technological solutions is the very objective of the school, which includes

educating and sensitizing the students towards environmental concerns through

the built spaces as well as the curriculum. Thus, the school is not only a low

resource, carbon sensitive building but it creates social interventions by

transforming communities to be responsible towards environment. It presents a

sustainability model wherein there is convergence of interests in the guiding

principles of physical elements of the building and the societal purpose of the

facility. Looking from the Dr. Shakur’s perspective, the Academy of St. Francis of

Assisi performs well on his suggested ‘contemporary principles’ of sustainability.

Sustainability dimension expanded by Dr. Shakur alters the perspective one very

often has based on the physical appreciation of the built environment. Human

geography, would have to be an important component of development

sustainable built environment.

Carrying the argument further, Dr. Nigel Simons’s (Edge Hill University) remarks

in the concluding presentation re-emphasized the need for human geography

interventions. Aptly said by Dr. Nigel Simons, ‘sustainability calls for

multidisciplinary approach’.

Analysis tools and techniques… Sustainable planning and development needs tools and techniques for validation

of proposals. While one would look for accurate and reliable methods for

assessment, the need for simple yet reliable options cannot be overlooked. There

is certainly a need for research to embed such tools and techniques in the

sustainable built environment planning process. Two very significant assessment

options were presented to emphasize the need for quantitative analysis. While

Ms. Sarah Khan (a practicing architect based in London) presented an innovative

“Sun Shade Calculator for Lahore”, Mr. Rusdy Hartungi and Ms. Elisavet

Dimitrokali (Unviersity of Central Lancashire) underlined the importance of life

cycle assessment (LCA) approach of sustainable proposals in their presentations

on “LCC Application in Sustainable Building Design” and “Life Cycle Assessment:

A Fundamental Tool in Assessing Sustainability in Built Environment”

respectively.

Simple though, the relevance of a calculator for calculating sun shade using

worksheet during design development stage is well argued considering heat load

contribution of 48% through the windows in a building in Lahore. A reliable,

inexpensive, user-friendly, quick and versatile option is truly a ‘sustainable’

option. While detailed analysis using computer programs is still necessary for

any application, the role of calculators, especially for specific applications, is

significant. For developing countries such options are most suited. Deliberations

concluded that further research and extending the scope to other locations could

be undertaken through academics.

Mr. Hartungi and Ms. Dimitrokali stressed the importance of LCA as a basis for

decision-making. In fact, from the presentations it appears that the LCA is

perhaps the most significant assessment and analysis tool. For practical

application though, the academic research still needs to focus on the databases

for inputs on cost centers. While it may be relatively easier for the costs of

building systems to be built in, there are major issues with regards to cost

benefits that need to be resolved.

For a meaningful education in sustainability, development of simpler tools and

techniques for analysis would be an essential academic research agenda.

Practice….. Complexity of sustainability is only appreciated when applied in practice.

Validity of concepts, methods and analytical tools is understood when applied on

a project. In regeneration project of “Sustainable Regeneration of Historic Urban

Centers”, Mr. Syed Faizal Sajjad (National College of Arts, Lahore) brought out

multidimensional issues, including social and heritage value that needed to be

balanced for a sustainable proposal. Although analysis and strong theoretical

framework for practical proposal seemed diffused, the complexity to integrate

analysis and theorizing the proposal is also an issue for process introspection

which is inherently evolutionary. This re-enforces the belief that the

sustainability calls for a systematic ‘case based learning’ as mentioned by Dr.

Jammie Halsall (University of Huddersfield) in his presentation on “Curriculum

Design for Sustainable Architectural /studies”.

Education and pedagogy….. A multidisciplinary domain, sustainability is as much a challenge for practicing

professionals as for the academics to groom future professionals and research

community. While de-novo curriculum focused at sustainability is a rather recent

approach being contemplated, the need to dovetail sustainability concerns in the

existing programs in architecture, planning and project management is equally

relevant. Prof. Virendra Kumar Paul (School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi)

presented one such effort being made at the School of Planning and Architecture

(SPA) New Delhi as a part of project management specialization in his

presentation on “Issues of Sustainable Built Environment: Context, Evolution and

Pedagogical Dimensions”. The approach at SPA was to infuse sustainability to

make it holistic.

While recommending approach to mitigate the negative impacts of design and

construction practices, Mr. Tirmizi emphasized the need for pedagogy to address

the issue of dovetailing traditional knowledge of building design and

construction with the mainstream architecture design to provide comprehensive

coverage on sustainability.

In his presentation, Mr. Halsall underlined the need for providing students with

transferable and vocational skills. Building on theoretical background of

sustainability and curriculum development, Halsall identified traditionalism,

social reconstructionism and progressivism.

The approach of SPA presented by Prof. Paul and the conceptual issues

mentioned by Jamie merit consideration for pedagogy in sustainability.

Conclusion….. Seminar, though aimed to theorize sustainability, expanded the discussion

further. Education and pedagogy would have to look further into the challenges

and dimensions underlined during expert presentations. Academic research

agenda would have to be reviewed comprehensively to cover all dimensions of

sustainability. Seminar outcome has a potential to be a road map for academia

for meaningful contribution in development of sustainable built environment.

Prof. Virendra Kr. Paul

Department of Building Engineering & Management,

School of Planning and Architecture,