• REDEFINING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SIX PILLARS

    10 February 2025

    Whilst the definition of sustainability and sustainable development can find its roots in many texts that range from Carl von Carlowitz’s forest management tome Silvicultura (1713) to Rachel Carson’s impassioned plea against the use of pesticides in A Silent Spring (1962), the academic Andrew Basiago suggests its emergence in the text  A Blueprint for Survival (1972), a decade later (Basiago, 1995). The date of publication coincided with the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm; following which the UN established the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the world’s principal international environmental organization (United Nations, 1972). At the time, scientific data also emerged that demonstrated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were depleting the ozone layer, which later led to the ban of CFC’s with the Montreal Protocol in 1987 (United Nations, n.d.).

    The debilitating effects of pesticides on the environment, CFC’s on the ozone layer, the nuclear contamination of Chernobyl in April 1986 and the subsequent scientific evidence that the continued emission of greenhouse gases exacerbate global warming and cause long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, n.d.), are just a few examples of the environmental cataclysms that shaped various summits conferences. However, the catalyst for change may have taken place in 1992 with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Rio de Janeiro. The Earth Summit became the largest ever gathering of Heads of State, with an agreement signed by 154 states. Since then, governments have collectively signed accords in combating climate change. In 2015 the Paris Agreement was adopted for climate protection after 2020 which set a target for limiting warming to 1.5-2 degrees above pre-industrial levels by monitoring the emissions produced by various industries (Pomeroy, 2016)

    Such protocols and global commitments over time have reaffirmed the need for a combined response to the global environmental problem. They have in turn become enshrined in environmental laws and policies and continued the discourse around the definition of sustainability and sustainable development: a term first coined in 1987.The World Commission on Environment and Development sought to address the concern about the accelerating deterioration of the human environment and natural resources and the consequences of that deterioration for economic and social development (Brundtland, 1987), and published its findings in Our Common Future. It is from this report that sustainable development was first defined as ‘meet[ing] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (Brundtland, 1987, p. 41). It is also where we start to understand the ‘environment’ as the place ‘where we all live; and “development”…[being] what we all do in attempting to improve our lot within that abode’ (Brundtland, 1987, p. 7).

    The notion of ‘environment’ and ‘development’ being inseparable; and their outcomes being predicated upon socio-economic actions across local and global, rural and industrial, developing and developed nations, has yielded a variety of other definitions. These have mostly expanded on the presence of social, economic and environmental pillars: either weighted towards environmental preservation; or a greater socio-economic agenda. The results often highlight the multi-faceted and sometimes conflicting nature of the term sustainability and its multiple interpretations held by different groups, sectors, disciplines and governments (Johnston et al., 2007). According to Purvis, Mao and Robinson (2019), there has been ‘no single point of origin of this three-pillar conception, but rather a gradual emergence from various critiques in the early academic literature of the economic status quo from both social and ecological perspectives on the one hand, and the quest to reconcile economic growth as a solution to social and ecological problems on the part of the United Nations on the other’.

    Despite the multiple interpretations of what constitutes sustainability it has been commonly argued that a balance between the needs of man and nature, through the careful trade-off between social, economic and environmental parameters of equal weighting, is required if a development is to be truly sustainable (Mawhinney, 2002). This in itself has yielded a plethora of sustainability rating tools that seek to deliver more sustainable developments through the consideration of a balance of indicators across social, economic, and environmental pillars.

    This has inevitably led to complexities in defining the term in the wake of further principles or pillars. Consequentially, some scholars have argued that we are no closer to a singular definition of sustainability and that the irreversible rates of human-induced biodiversity loss, increase in per-capita resource consumption, and global climate change should resist the call to define the term and instead consider resilience thinking (Benson and Craig, 2014). Others have argued that there is a need to go back to the original tenets of the Brundtland report: ‘where sustainability is concerned with the well-being of future generations and in particular with irreplaceable natural resources — as opposed to the gratification of present needs which we call well-being’ (Kuhlman and Farrington, 2010, p. 3436).

    Environmental – SaladStop!, Singapore is a 78 sqm design & build certified net zero flagship store (Green Mark Gold, 2022)

    There is also the view that additional pillars are necessary for a more nuanced definition of sustainability that addresses contemporary issues of the early 21st century. Loach, Rowley and Griffiths (2017) highlight the cultural role museums and libraries play in preserving a communities’ heritage and argue for more explicit coverage of cultural sustainability for their survival. The academic Hillier (2009, p. 1) posited a spatial sustainability of cities as they are often regarded as a ‘system of systems’: a ‘foreground network of linked centres at all scales set into a background network of mainly residential space, is already a reflection of the relations between environmental, economic and socio-cultural forces, that is between the three domains of sustainability.’

    Probably more contentious is the consideration of a technological sustainability, especially as technology may be perceived as a tool to achieving social, economic, environmental, spatial or cultural objectives. Yet it has formed part of the critical debate of weak and strong sustainability: whereby ‘weak sustainability postulates the full substitutability of natural capital, whereas the strong conception demonstrates that this substitutability should be seriously limited due to the existence of critical elements that natural capital provides for human existence and well-being’ (Pelenc, Ballet and Dedeurwaerdere, 2015, p. 1): i.e., weak sustainability may propagate technological innovations that may seek to reduce waste and pollution and yet come at the expense of further environmental degradation. 

    If previous environmental cataclysms were the catalyst for transformative change in both legislation and sustainable systems thinking, it would seem logical to assume that the present era’s cataclysms will similar shape sustainability discourse, rating tools and policy. With an estimated three quarters of the World’s population living in inner city centres by 2050 and a continued trend toward urban migration, there will be an inextricable spatial strain on our urban spatial infrastructure. The need to transmigrate as a result of climate-change, territorial conflict, socio-political unrest or economic circumstance will also lead to more heterogeneous environments and necessitate greater cultural understanding and acceptance. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Industrial Revolution 4.0, we have also witnessed an unprecedented embrace of technology to enhance the way we can live, work, play and learn.

    Social – Kallang Alive, Singapore is an 89-Ha sustainable mixed-use sports, entertainment and leisure destination

    In ‘Cities of Opportunities’, Pomeroy (2020, p. 2-3) argues that in a trans-migratory, post-pandemic, digitised age, the need to look both critically and holistically at the concept of sustainable development necessitates looking beyond social, economic and environmental factors to also consider space, culture, and technology as equally important pillars. These ‘six pillars’ similarly encapsulate both hard and soft infrastructure assets; and are inextricably linked to the design and implementation of more smart and sustainable cities in the future. They can thus form the basis upon which a more holistic means of both considering and developing sustainable DT’s can potentially be made.

    Social

    The concept of social sustainability covers a diverse range of societal issues that broadly calls for greater equality amongst mankind. This lends itself to fostering greater liveability prospects for all, regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation; and better health and well-being, community engagement and increasing social capital. The legislative mechanisms of ensuring social support, human rights, labour rights, social responsibility and social justice similarly depend upon the relationship between people and the environment in which they occupy; and in these terms, social sustainability encompasses all human activities and should be read in conjunction with spatial sustainability.

    Spatial

    Beyond the notion of a city’s spatial network being a reflection of the relationship between social, economic, and environmental forces, Space is a commodity in need of preservation, yet continues to be re-distributed, privatised and depleted as a consequence of urbanisation and population increase. It can be problematic to have a discourse about society and the way people interact without also discussing the space in which they occupy – be that virtually or physically. Spatial sustainability as a counterpoint to social sustainability would seem inseparable in our discourse if there is continued physical migration to urban centres and / or the greater use of virtual space for mankind’s social interaction.

    Environmental

    The concept of environmental sustainability considers the needs of the planet as an equally important dimension to the needs of its people. Healthy ecosystems provide vital goods and services to humans and other organisms and this necessitates the reduction of the negative impact of humans on our ecosystem. There is the need to preserve and manage our environment for present and future generations largely based on environmental science and conservation biology. There is also the need for a cultural step change in the way Mankind consumes via conventional linear practices, necessitating new ‘circular’ ways of thinking that treats waste as a systems ‘flaw’.

    Technological

    Society’s continued and increasing use of technology depends not just on the inherent characteristics of a particular technology but also on the way it is perceived, used or its ability to transform the context. An appropriate technological sustainability that acknowledges an energy-efficient, environmentally-sound, people-centred approach, can permit more community-focused activity to work in symbiosis with citywide technological interventions. In addressing the weak and strong sustainability debate, a technological sustainability should ensure that environmental technologies, when used sparingly, can seek to reduce waste and pollution from our man-made systems whilst optimising our approach to preserving nature’s ecological systems.

    Cultural

    Cultural identity is increasingly challenged by globalisation. Whilst technology has helped bring people together and promoted the cross-fertilisation of cultures, innovations and ideas, it has also arguably contributed to a transcendence of modernisation and commercialisation that need not relate to people, place or culture. Spaces, which may have once been imprinted by cultural practices and time-tested rituals, are also being compromised through the process of urbanisation, which potentially undermines the cultural identity of a place. If globalisation means globalising modernity, and modernity represents the harbinger of identity, the cultural sustainability discourse may be strengthened in its ability to form a localised counterpoint to globalisation.

    Economic

    The concept of economic sustainability refers to the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual, that is improved according to targeted goals and objectives that do not compromise the needs of the people or the planet. This translates to greater fiscal conscientiousness and a more acute understanding of societal value as opposed to societal cost. It can therefore be seen that an economic sustainability can correlate to the health and well-being of a nation or a business, and necessitates a fiscal prudence to remain in power, or in business. It has become increasingly important to ensure that economic development through public demand and government mandate does not compromise environmental conservation.

    REFERENCES

    1. Basiago, A.D. (1995) ‘Methods of defining “sustainability”’, Sustainable Development, 3(3), pp. 109–119. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3460030302
    2. Benson, M.H. and Craig, R.K. (2014) ‘The end of sustainability’, Society & Natural Resources, 27(7), pp. 777–782. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2014.901467
    3. Brundtland, G.H. (1987) Report of the World Commission on environment and development: our common future. United Nations. Available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf
    4. Hillier, B. (2009) ‘Spatial sustainability in cities: organic patterns and sustainable forms’, in. Proceedings of the 7th International Space Syntax Symposium, Stockholm, Sweden: Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).
    5. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (n.d.) IPCC sixth assessment report, Climate change 2022: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
    6. Johnston, P. et al. (2007) ‘Reclaiming the definition of sustainability’, Environmental Science and Pollution Research – International, 14(1), pp. 60–66. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2007.01.375
    7. Kuhlman and Farrington (2010) ‘What is sustainability?’, Sustainability, 2, pp. 3436–3448. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su2113436
    8. Loach, K., Rowley, J. and Griffiths, J. (2017) ‘Cultural sustainability as a strategy for the survival of museums and libraries’, International Journal of Cultural Policy, 23(2), pp. 186–198. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1184657
    9. Mawhinney, M. (2002) Sustainable development: understanding the green debates. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
    10. Pelenc, J., Ballet, J. and Dedeurwaerdere, T. (2015) Weak versus strong sustainability. Brief for GSDR United Nations, pp. 1–4. Available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/6569122-Pelenc-Weak%20Sustainability%20versus%20Strong%20Sustainability.pdf
    11. Pomeroy, J. (2016) POG: pod off-grid: explorations into low energy waterborne communities. Oro Editions.
    12. Pomeroy, J. (2020) ‘Introduction’, in Cities of Opportunities. 1st Edition. London, UK: Routledge, pp. 2–3. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003022299
    13. Purvis, B., Mao, Y. and Robinson, D. (2019) ‘Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual origins’, Sustainability Science, 14(3), pp. 681–695. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5
    14. United Nations (1972) United Nations, United Nations Conference on the human environment (Stockholm Conference). Available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/milestones/humanenvironment
    15. United Nations (n.d.) United Nations Environment Programme, The Montreal protocol. Available at: https://www.unep.org/ozonaction/who-we-are/about-montreal-protocol

    Prof. Jason Pomeroy is an award-winning architect, academic, author and TV presenter, regarded as one of the world’s thought leaders in sustainable design. He is the Founder of Singapore-based Pomeroy Studio, Jason Pomeroy Architects and Pomeroy Academy: sustainable urbanism, architecture, design, research and education firms.

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