Ecologically Sustainable Development

BDA NSW has long held the view that a commitment to ESD is an integral part of their role as designers
and creators of the built environment.

There is good reason for this. If we break down that simple acronym ESD and look at its component words,
the reason becomes clear.

ECOLOGY: the study of the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things in the biosphere (DavidSuzuki).

SUSTAINABLE: capable of being repeated forever - without loss or degradation.

DEVELOPMENT: change to improve our economy, our society and our lifestyle.

Currently, very little human activity is sustainable. Even less is ecologically sustainable. How then, can our
activities be called development? The biosphere and all the interconnected ecological systems that exist
within it also support human life. We are part of the biosphere - albeit not a very important part from a
biospheric perspective.

What value can our economy, society and lifestyle have if the systems that support our existence are being
destroyed by so called "development"? Human activities are interfering with the intricate ecological balances
of the biosphere - to the point where they are beginning to alter and fail. We need to reverse this trend as
a matter of urgency.

What better place to start than with the built environment. Globally, buildings:

• Consume approximately 40 % of all energy produced.
• Consume approximately 40% of all material resources.
• Generate approximately 40% of the solid waste stream.

BDA NSW members are committed to ESD. To realise this goal, we regularly participate in continuing professional
development to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in ESD. We are committed to designing
buildings that:

• Reduce energy use.
• Consume less water.
• Avoid contaminating water.
• Use renewable and recycled materials wherever possible.
• Minimise waste and allow recycling at "end of life".
• Don't diminish air quality.
• Minimise soil loss.
• Conserve and restore biodiversity.

Currently there's no such thing as a sustainable building - but BDA NSW are working on it. At an ESD conference
in 1996, the famous Australian futurist Dr Peter Ellyard said: "most of the solutions for achieving a sustainable
future are yet to be developed". We have made a lot of progress since 1996 - but we still have a long way to go.

Building designers are creative solution finders and problem solvers. We are committed to finding built solutions
to our client's needs that don't compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

We like to think of ourselves as "human rights workers" We work to protect the rights of future generations and
those current generations who are less fortunate than us.

We also design exciting, functional, economical buildings and have many satisfied clients. We need clients with
a similar commitment to ESD so we can create a more sustainable future together whilst improving our
economy, society and lifestyle.

ESD Case Studies http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/index.htm