The new strategic cities plan, announced by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) earlier this week, is a timely reminder that change in Copenhagen is “crucial”, said a group representing architects.
??The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) has welcomed the initiative and called for a renewed focus on the sustainability of cities.?
Buildings and cities shape lives, but their construction and operation accounts for almost half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, AIA national president, Melinda Dodson, said.
“Sustainable, low carbon design is critical today and for the future,” she said. “Not only does the sustainable design of buildings and cities reduce our burden on the environment, it also improves our health, quality of life and the vitality of our communities.”
??The Institute has applauded the “many-pronged approach” made by COAG.
In the lead-up to Copenhagen, the joined forces with Architecture Canada, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Commonwealth Architects Association. The group developed a call-to-action statement to promote to governments attending the UN conference.
“Our statement is designed to encourage governments, architects and the broader community to act on the extensive research that shows the significant contribution the built environment can make to emissions mitigation if comprehensive efforts are pursued,” Dodson said.
“Furthermore it highlights the crucial roles that the built environment can play in reducing the climate change impact on the environment.”
The call-for-action statement outlines a range of measures, including a call for emissions reduction to reach less than 2 tonnes per capita by 2050.
The Institute has also said that new buildings in developed countries should be designed to be carbon neutral in energy use by 2020 and a 30 per cent carbon reduction in existing buildings by 2020. There should also be a revitalisation of existing urban environments, improved efficient use of existing infrastructure and the securing of urban growth boundaries.
“We believe the Australian government’s national criteria to deliver better integrated and longer term - 30 year - infrastructure and land use plans will put Australia at the forefront of the environmental changes we have proposed here and which are needed to successfully sustain our cities and urban environments into the future,” Dodson said.
The world's largest architectural organisation, the Union Internationale de Architectes, headed by Australian architect Louise Cox, is also pushing for change in Copenhagen by presenting a UIA Declaration — Sustainable by Design - to the forum.
