Jensen, J O and Gram-Hanssen, K (2008) Ecological modernization of sustainable buildings: A Danish perspective. Building Research & Information, 36(2), pp. 146-158. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
How has the contemporary development of sustainable buildings been influenced by the concept of ecological modernization? Ecological modernization is a policy concept describing how environmental considerations are increasingly being integrated into modern society's institutions through, for example, new types of cooperation and new applications of economic and market dynamics. Evidence is based on recent examples from politics and practice in the construction sector in Denmark, where sustainable buildings have gone through great changes - from being primarily isolated cases driven by enthusiasts and grassroots to being a more widespread, generally obtainable, and integrated product. This is considered within the context of ecological modernization, along with the implications of potential benefits and drawbacks. Based on the concepts of governance, standardization, and visibility, it is found that ecological modernization has penetrated in Danish sustainable buildings and has contributed to a positive development. However, there are aspects of sustainable consumption to which this development does not relate, including a constantly increasing demand for housing and the consequent increased demand for space heating. Comment le dveloppement contemporain des btiments durables a-t-il t influenc par le concept de modernisation cologique? La modernisation cologique est un concept thorique qui explique comment les considrations environnementales sont de plus en plus intgres dans les institutions de la socit moderne, par exemple, par de nouveaux types de coopration et de nouvelles applications de la dynamique conomique et des marchs. L'vidence repose sur de rcents exemples puiss dans la thorie et la pratique du secteur de la construction au Danemark, o les btiments durables ont subi des modifications importantes, passant du cas isol ayant pour origine des personnes enthousiastes et des initiatives locales, un produit plus rpandu, que l'on peut obtenir et intgrer facilement. L'ensemble est considr dans le contexte de la modernisation cologique, avec tout ce que cela entrane comme avantages et inconvnients potentiels. En se basant sur les concepts de gouvernance, de normalisation et de visibilit, il s'avre, au Danemark, que la modernisation cologique a pntr dans les btiments durables et a contribu un dveloppement positif. Il reste toutefois des aspects de consommation durable vis - vis de laquelle ce dveloppement n'a pas de rapport, y compris une demande constamment croissante de logements et, par voie de consquence, une demande accrue de chauffage de ces btiments. consommation, modernisation cologique, gouvernance, btiments verts, logement, normalisation, btiments durables, Danemark.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | consumption; Denmark; ecological modernization; governance; green building; housing; standardization; sustainable building |
| Index terms: | construction sector, dynamics, sustainable building, space heating, consumption, positive development, housing, evidence, Denmark, green building, standardization, policy concept, society, governance, politics, ecological modernization, cooperation |
| Subjects: | psychology, design practice, evaluation and assessment methods, communities and social development, political science, performance measurement, sustainable construction, business, consumer economics, health safety and environment, systems engineering, policy studies, construction type, urban design, industry analysis, mechanical systems, Geography |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Sustainability, Stakeholder Management, Urban Studies, Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Health and Safety, Quality Management, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Governance, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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