ARCHITECTURE TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY (ATS)

Sustainable Architecture is more than energy efficient or zero- emission architecture. it must adapt to and respect its environment in the broader context of "milieu". This encompasses tha natural, ecological, bio- economic, cultural and social setting. A successful solution must address the following principles, taken from the 1992, (WCED 1992)

      * Shared but differentiated responsibilities: This shared responsibilities is shared among individuals, institutions and countries, and the ecosystems that surround them. These responsibilities inevitably bind all people.
     * Intra and inter generated energy
     * Integration of the componenets of sustainable development (environment, society, economy and politics): to achieve sustainable development, protection of ther environment must be an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered on its own; it is important to have a cross sector approach. Rethinking the ties between the environment, society, politics and sectors. This successful approach is both timely and effective.
     * Precaution acknowledgement of scientific uncertainty: we must limit hypothetical or potential risks. A cooperative, integrated approach is a tool that helps to balance the various components of development without risking a loss for future generations.

Applying principles to planning

     Shared responsibilty
     All spaces are collective good for which society, and particularly architects, are responsible. The architecture must responsible respond to the various scales of the public space.

     Intra and intergenerational equity
     A certain type of architecture need to be able to provide housing to all, with respect to bith individual and collective well- being. A minimal density is necessary to ensure access for everyone to health facilities, schools, the work place, cultural events, trade, points oftransportation, etc. The built environment need to be articulated to solve this in the both dimensions of space and time. The heritage, both natural and cultural handed down from generation must be respected in this process.

     Integration of components of sustainable development
     Sustainable architecture entails, environmental, social, economic and political dimensions. Sustainable architecture must ensure individual comfort, while also preserving ecosystems in natural areas. The architecture must operate at individual levels (functionalism) and community levels (mixed functions).

     Precaution and acknowledgement of scientific uncertainty
     The design should be adaptable and designed to meet the needs of future occupants. Buildings should incorporate natural materials, daylighting, passive cooling techniques and a rational use of passive sources of energy. These existing buildings can often be utilized to offset the impact of new structures.

     Participation and good governance
     The idea is to improve public awareness of environmental, social, economic and political problems at the scales of neighborhood, town, territory, country or the planet. At issue is the articulation between the individual and the community. The challenge is to develop viable public infrastructures (housing, schools, hospitals, shops, cultural areas, etc) to promote individual development, participation, and an enhanced community life.