Sustainability and Sustainable Buildings

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Abstract

Construction and real estate literature is replete with the use of the words ‘sustainable’ and ‘green’ in respect of the built environment, construction, building systems and materials, with the terms often used indiscriminately and interchangeably. Like sustainability or sustainable development, notions of sustainable buildings depend on one’s viewpoint. With a view to providing clarification, international concepts and characterisations of sustainable buildings are first outlined, followed by a discussion of the quality of processes that enable buildings to be greener and more sustainable than the norm.