Changing context for environmental knowledge

Abstract

What are the ways that environmental issues have been framed by prevailing societal values and priorities over the last 30 years, and what repercussions have these had for building research and practice? These questions are explored primarily through a review of the critical ideas, positions and agendas as documented in UK and North American building literature. The historical framing reveals a highly dynamic relationship between the proposition and introduction of ideas offered by research and practice, and society's receptivity to them. The environmental debate over the past three decades has shifted from an attitude of ‘survival’ to one of responsibility and stewardship. It is these two notions, along with other developments, that have indirectly shaped environmental policy, building research and practice. The paper concludes by speculating on future technological developments and overarching notions that may shape future environmental attitudes, receptivity and actions.

Keywords:

• environment
• environmental awareness
• environmental research
• professional practice
• public policy

Keywords:

• Environnement
• sensibilisation à l'environnement
• recherche environnementale
• pratique professionnelle
• politique publique

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Paul Crowley at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture for assisting in researching EDRA proceedings, Nigel Howard of the USGBC for clarifying the role of LCA analysis in market based assessment tools and Robert Carter at the Martin Centre, University of Cambridge for assisting in gathering information on the Cambridge Autonomous House project.