Would Greater BREEAM Adoption by Construction Professionals Create a More Sustainable Built Environment?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

BREEAM as an Environment Assessment Tools in UK2

Research Aims and Objectives3

Significance of the Study3

Research Questions4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Sustainability5

Dimensions of Sustainability7

Elements of Sustainable Design7

Sustainable Building Assessment Systems8

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)10

REFERENCES13

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The phrase “going green” is now a commonplace term, heard across several media forums on a consistent basis. Whether it is for the newest hybrid car or kitchen cleanser, the call for sustainable products has permeated societal culture. It is not surprising that this trend has found its way into the sport and entertainment industry. Increasing numbers of performers and entertainers want to embrace the image of an environmentally conscientious group or individual and many will select venues based on their ability to meet those needs. Businesses often make it a requirement in Requests for Proposals (RFP) when looking to build or partner with other organisations. “The green movement has emerged as a critical business model and facility that wants to be competitive and in the forefront of their industry are taking steps to join the movement” (Wettlaufer, 2009, p.10). An initial step many facilities are taking to join the green movement includes making efforts to make their building more sustainable and have less of an environmental impact.

From a human perspective, sustainability in general knowledge means that things can sustain themselves by providing provide fresh air, clean water, produce food and allow us all to have a high quality of life forever (Jones, 2010, p. 34). Sustainable practices within industrial buildings are an influential, rapidly growing and evolving field. The most widely accepted overarching definition of sustainability is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Collins et al, 2007, p. 828). The need and importance for doing this particular paper is simply our planet has lost the balance, global warming is happening around the globe, natural disaster has frequently hit us. As a responsibility for the construction industry to help prevent the situation to getting worse, we can make a change by adopting several green options to make this planet a better and safer place to live. This paper is highlighting the current sustainable issue and how is the United Kingdom construction industries overcomes, analyses and approach the unsustainable crisis by using a system that has been formed since 1990 call BREEAM.

BREEAM as an Environment Assessment Tools in UK

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) (BRE Trust 2011) traces its roots back to 1917 with the foundation of the Building Research Station under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The initial charter of this British organisation was to investigate sustainable housing techniques to be used following the First World War. Since that time, BRE has focused on many aspects of building material research to include fire protection, safety, and environmentally consciousness. In 1990, they launched the building rating system BRE Environmental Assessment Method ...