One of our key objectives is to encourage adoption of the concept of ‘engineering sustainability’ by designers, suppliers, clients and government, in fact, all involved in the Construction Industry—this is vitally important if we are to achieve our vision of creating a better quality of life for everyone. It is worth outlining the basic principles of this to readers in the civil engineering sector who have a major opportunity to influence its uptake. In essence, any sustainable development strategy must focus upon the interlinked aspects of environmental responsibility, social awareness, and economic profit-ability. Sustainability is of growing importance to the efficient, effective and responsible operation of business. And it is important that the mechanisms are taken up to deliver it.
For construction companies ‘sustainability’ means being more profitable and competitive to ensure they have a secure future; this can only be achieved through the training and development of their workforce and investing in research and innovation. The end product should be buildings which meet clients’ needs better, which are more highly valued and contribute to improving the quality of the built environment. Other benefits from such an approach include: improved relations and better engagement from the workforce and with the wider community; the development of a greater respect for the environment; and recognition of the need to minimise the impact on resources and carbon based energy. The key objectives to fulfilling this are outlined in ‘Building a better quality of life’.
In furtherance of this, the joint DTI/DEFRA/SDC Sponsored ‘Pioneers Group’ has provided a useful template for sustainability work, through the establishment of guidance to sectors and development of initiatives to put in place individual ‘sustainability strategies’ for the various sectors of industry. In this respect, the Institution of Civil Engineering has also led from the front, being one of the first organisations in the construction industry to produce its own strategy ‘Society Sustainability and Civil Engineering’, published in April 2002.
Increasing the sustainability of buildings is also about improving elements of design with longer term usage in mind, together with the input of better quality construction and the thorough application of whole life costing concepts. These components can ensure that buildings will be versatile enough to continue in use for many generations to come.
It is clear that sustainability is a mainstream business issue today, and here to stay. I am confident that Engineering Sustainability will provide a clearer insight into the construction industry’s take-up of the concept and encourage further progress in this sphere.
