A discussion that touches on the many aspects of sustainability, a common denominator for many analytical approaches that originates from the Bruntland Commission. The original concept combines ethical norms of welfare, distribution and democracy while recognizing that nature’'s ability to absorb human-made encroachments and pollution is limited. Petter Næss procedes to present ways of conceptualising the relationship between sustainability and urban planning. The discussion focuses on many narrow approaches that have been employed by many european countries. Instead of focusing on narrow aspects of the eco-friendly solutions better results would be obtained if planners worked towards common long term goals based on different environmental efforts..

Following the discourse about sustainable development based on the Brundtland Commission’s report and the processes in the UN Committee on Environment and Development, a sustainable urban development would require considerably more ambitious policies than today in order to limit energy consumption, reduce pollution and protect natural areas and arable land. Re-use of urban areas and more effective utilization of building sites is a possible strategy to this end. However, continuous growth in the building stock will make it increasingly difficult to bring urban development in wealthy countries within the frames of what is ecologically sustainable and equitable in a global perspective. Planning for a sustainable urban development must be oriented towards long-term goals and utilize knowledge about the environmental consequences of different solutions, but should not be based solely on means-ends rationality.

Rather than aiming at consensus including all stakeholder groups, planning for sustainability should facilitate alliance-building among those population groups who can support the basic equity and environmental values of a sustainable development.

Aalborg University
Petter Næss

//

Petter Næss

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Environmental sustainability