Sustainable development Stated by the United Nations in also known as 1987’s “Our common future”, the is the global definition of sustainable development: Brundtland Report, development is development that meets the needs of the present without “Sustainable [2]. compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” Furthermore there are, according to the integrational perspective, three categories of concern in sustainable development: economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity [10]. These areas can sometimes be in conflict with each other, making the question of sustainability complex [11]. Take a manufacturing company for example. For it to be sustainable in every category compromises must be made. To be environmentally sustainable it has to spend money on, perhaps, green energy and recycled materials. To be socially sustainable labor conditions must be good. These actions may reduce the profitability of the company and will therefore be in conflict with economic sustainability. This complexity is often described by overlapping circles in the Venn diagram. The overlapping areas are the interaction parts of each sustainability category and the middle area symbolizes total integration of sustainability. Figure 3.1: Description of sustainable development through a Venn-diagram. Economy, society and environment are linked together making the question of sustainability complex. Although all categories are equally important to maintain a sustainable development it is argued that the economic and social activities must be considered in a large environmental sphere of influence [12]. Figure 3.2: It is argued that economy and society must be considered in an environmental sphere of influence for sustainability to be maintained. Design and the environment
Sustainable development Stated by the United Nations in 1987’s “Our common future”, also known as the Brundtland Report, is the global definition of sustainable development: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [2]. Furthermore there are, according to the integrational perspective, three categories of concern in sustainable development: economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity [10]. These areas can sometimes be in conflict with each other, making the question of sustainability complex [11]. Take a manufacturing company for example. For it to be sustainable in every category compromises must be made. To be environmentally sustainable it has to spend money on, perhaps, green energy and recycled materials. To be socially sustainable labor conditions must be good. These actions may reduce the profitability of the company and will therefore be in conflict with economic sustainability. This complexity is often described by overlapping circles in the Venn diagram. The overlapping areas are the interaction parts of each sustainability category and the middle area symbolizes total integration of sustainability. Figure 3.1: Description of sustainable development through a Venn-diagram. Economy, society and environment are linked together making the question of sustainability complex. Although all categories are equally important to maintain a sustainable development it is argued that the economic and social activities must be considered in a large environmental sphere of influence [12]. Figure 3.2: It is argued that economy and society must be considered in an environmental sphere of influence for sustainability to be maintained. Design and the environment
7763733.docx