Wk 11 Intro to sustainability in projects and materials

What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?

sustainability is a state that allows for the capacity for continuance, whereas sustainable development is the process for achieving sustainability

What are the two key elements in sustainable infrastructure?

• delivering high performance - minimising impacts and creating a good outcome

• delivering the right strategy - contributes to sustainable society/enhanced quality of life

What are the factors we take into account when making a decision for sustainability? (Value based decision making)

• Time Cost Quality

• Environment Social Economic

What is the hierarchy of decision making when it comes to carbon?

1. Avoid (can we achieve this without building anything new)

2. Switch (can we use something else)

3. Improve (find something that improves the current situation)

What is circular economy vs linear economy?

linear

• make take dispose

circular

• make consume enrich

• make use return

What are the steps we can take to increase efficiency of the use of materials?

• build nothing

• design efficiently

• reuse materials

• refurbish materials

• natural materials

• recycled content

• reduce transport

How do we assess whether we are using the right materials?

life cycle assessments