Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050: A Foresight Approach to Construction and Development

"The scale and breadth in achieving sustainable cities by the middle of this century is huge and will require massive change in the attitude and practice of the construction industry and its professions. Tim Dixon and his co–authors bring together current thinking across a range of issues relating to what our future cities may look like and what industry is needed to achieve the transition. Some thirty or so contributors deal with the themes of sustainability in the built environment, the changing industry, future viewpoints, and transformative technologies and innovation. In dealing with the uncertainties of the future, this thought–provoking book may also help us address the increasing uncertainties of the present. Thoroughly recommended!"
Professor Phil Jones, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University

"There are few topics more important today than the sustainable future of the built environment. Urban development over the coming 30 years will be providing living space for a further 3 billion urban dwellers. It is happening when the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity will be providing severe tests for humanity. We have now the opportunity to future–proof these new developments. This book brings together essays by key players in the field, and will be very widely read and used."
Sir David King, The Foreign Secretary′s Special Representative for Climate Change and Chairman of the Board of Future Cities Catapult (2013 – 2017), Partner, SYSTEMIC (from 2017)

Brings together leading thinking on issues of new professional practice and on the future of a sustainable built environment

This book focuses on both construction and development issues, and examines how we can transition to a sustainable future by the year 2050 bringing together leading research and practice at building, neighbourhood, and city levels. It deftly analyses how emerging socio–economic, technological, and environmental trends will influence the built environment of the future. The book covers a broad spectrum of interests across the scales of buildings, communities and cities, including how professional practice will need to adapt to these trends. The broader context is provided by an analysis of emergent business models and the changing requirements for expert advice from clients.

Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050: A Foresight Approach to Construction and Development features chapters covering: data and trends, including historical data in UK and international case studies; policies and practice related to the field; current state of scientific understanding; key challenges; key technological advances (including disruptive and systemic technological innovations); change issues and critical uncertainties; and future visions. It provides:

A strong conceptual framework based on a ′Foresight′ approach Discussion of the key data and trends that underpin each chapter Coverage of both construction and property development Specially commissioned chapters by academics and practitioners A synthesis of the main findings in the book and key insights for the future to 2050

Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050: A Foresight Approach to Construction and Development is an important book for postgraduate students and researchers, construction, real estate and property development specialists, engineers, planners, architects, foresight and futures studies specialists, and anyone involved in sustainable buildings.

List of Contributors ix

Notes on Contributors x

Foreword xiv

Preface xvii

Acknowledgements xix

Book Endorsements xx

1 Introduction: Foresight and Futures Studies in Construction and Development 1
Tim Dixon, John Connaughton and Stuart Green

Part 1 Sustainability and the Built Environment 25

2 Climate Change, Resilience and the Built Environment 27
Janet F. Barlow, Li Shao and Stefan T. Smith

3 Sustainability in Real Estate Markets 50
Jorn van de Wetering

4 From the Sustainable Community to Prosperous People and Places: Inclusive Change in the Built Environment 72
Saffron Woodcraft and Constance Smith

5 Smart and Sustainable?: The Future of Future Cities 94
Tim Dixon

6 Sustainable Infrastructure 117
Martino Tran, Jim Hall, Robert Nicholls, Adrian J. Hickford, Modassar Chaudry and Geoff Watson

7 Sustainable Design of the Built Environment 137
Lorraine Farrelly

Part 2 Changing Professional Practice 155

8 Planning for Sustainability: Reflections on a Necessary Activity 157
Joe Doak and Gavin Parker

9 Sustainable Construction: Contested Knowledge and the Decline of Professionalism 172
Stuart Green

10 Sustainable Procurement 194
John Connaughton and Will Hughes

11 Social Media in the Built Environment 223
Bob Thompson

Part 3 Provocations about the Future: Practitioners Viewpoints 249

12 Sustainability through Collaboration and Skills Development 251
Andy Ford and Aaron Gillich

13 Built Environment Professionals as Sustainability Advocates 270
Gerard Healey

Part 4 Transformative Technologies and Innovation 285

14 Energy Interactions: The Growing Interplay between Buildings and Energy Networks 287
Phil Coker and Jacopo Torriti

15 Sustained Innovation Uptake in Construction 310
Graeme D. Larsen

16 Humanising the Digital: A Cautionary View of the Future 325
Ian J. Ewart

Part 5 Conclusions and Common Themes 337

17 Understanding and Shaping Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment to 2050 339
Tim Dixon, John Connaughton and Stuart Green

Index 339

Tim Dixon is Professor of Sustainable Futures in the Built Environment, School of the Built Environment at the University of Reading, UK.

John Connaughton is Professor of Sustainable Construction and Head of Construction Management and Engineering, School of the Built Environment at the University of Reading, UK.

Stuart Green is Professor of Construction Management, School of the Built Environment at the University of Reading, UK.