What is Sustainability?
It is important to first define terms. What is sustainability? What is sustainability in the context of construction, buildings, and the built environment? What do I need to consider as I planning, building, and maintaining sustainable construction and buildings? These are all questions on the minds of those that work within the built environment. In the context of this report, sustainability will be defined as a process that is able to be maintained with little to no environmental impact. This includes limiting or eliminating emissions. Both the construction process and building management process contain high amounts of emissions currently. According to the city of Chicago, 70% of the city’s emissions are from the buildings themselves. It is similar for other cities, as these building emissions are responsible for 40% of emissions nationwide.
Why Build Sustainably?
Sustainability matters for a few reasons. Worldwide and at almost every level of government, rules and regulations are now demanding it. Being LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certified has been something to strive towards for a while now, but it may be time to think larger than checking off that box. Sustainable building can also…