Anyone who has been involved in the design, construction, or maintenance of buildings in recent years has encountered the term sustainability. For many, this term still remains ambiguous, and although multiple definitions exist, they rarely show how sustainability principles can actually be applied in practice. Moreover, these definitions differ slightly from one another, and in any effort to implement sustainable development, a precise understanding of the concept is essential. It is generally accepted that sustainability fundamentally influences our way of life; therefore, personal ethics will shape how its goals are interpreted. Similar to architecture in its broadest sense, sustainability also addresses a wide range of issues, which sometimes seem to contradict each other. Gaining knowledge about these issues is the first step toward forming or clarifying personal values and moving toward a more sustainable future. [1]

Not only does the nature of human activities threaten the environment, but the increasing scale of these activities is also a major factor. At present, up to two billion people lack reliable access to healthy food and require resources to meet their basic needs, while billions of others are rapidly increasing their consumption of resources to improve their living standards. In addition, the global population is growing: it now stands at about 6.2 billion and is expected to reach around 9 billion by the end of the century. It is predicted that 90 percent of this growth will occur in developing countries. Population growth and the improvement of low living standards will demand more resources, produce more waste, and exert greater impact on the natural environment. The principles of sustainability aim to address the problems of environmental degradation, inequality, and quality of life by supporting development that is economically and socially viable, while maintaining the benefits of a healthy and stable environment in the long term. [1]

One of the major challenges facing today’s world is that a large number of people are still struggling simply to survive, lacking both the education and financial resources needed to consider environmental issues. There is a huge disparity between developed and developing countries: developed countries generally benefit from healthcare, employment, education, and GDP levels hundreds of times higher than some developing nations. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water, and 2.4 billion are deprived of adequate sanitation services.

Given their superior economic position, developed countries should take the lead in moving toward sustainability. Instead of focusing solely on economic growth, they must adopt a balanced approach that considers sustainable growth and environmental stability. However, this approach faces obstacles, including pressure groups that oppose any environmental improvements for fear of harming corporate profitability. The reality is that even educated and privileged individuals often prioritize immediate personal interests over collective or long-term environmental benefits. This has led to a complex approach toward addressing environmental issues.

Sustainability is neither purely a scientific activity nor solely a professional one; it is a way of life that affects every aspect of it. The first step is to determine what kind of relationship we want to have with our global and local environment. Then, we must identify how we can achieve such a relationship. To move from theory to practice, we must understand the impact of our professional and daily activities on the environment. Buildings—and the processes of their construction, use, and end-of-life—have a significant effect on both the natural environment and the social structure of communities. Sustainable architecture can both enable and encourage the practical application of sustainable thinking. But how can we design and construct buildings that, in line with sustainability goals, create economically and socially stable communities while inflicting the least possible harm on the environment?

References:
1. Sassi, P., Strategies for sustainable architecture. 2006: Taylor & Francis.