The request of sustainability and architecture as cultural paradigm

Abstract

Purpose

“Sustainability” presupposes first and foremost a change in human attitude. It summons contemporary societies to take measures for the sake of future societies. It requires that each individual develops historical conscience, that each human being views himself or herself at least as a participator in his/her history, and that he/she differentiates his/her current life priorities. The latter, however, is associated with the philosophic foundation of societies, and the truth is that the philosophic institution of neoteric times that we experience at present seems to exclude such a possibility.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual discussion is the approach.

Findings

Man should review once more his existence as an integral part of a spatial and chronological whole which transcends time and space in the so‐called contemporary “physical” life, and moreover, to regain awareness of the fact that he constitutes a catalytic factor in the creation of history or that he himself is the creator of (his) history. Furthermore, societies should reset collective goals as regards the spatial and chronological, i.e. historic, expansion of their scope and impact, as a requirement for this novel (novel in the context of our neoteric era) meaning of life. We believe that we are at the threshold of such a cultural change.

Originality/value

In the actual continuation, renaissance, recreation of history – where undoubtedly the demands of sustainability will be regarded a self‐evident priority – it is only natural that the practice of managing and designing space, as well as architectural practice itself, which will determine in the future the image of the urban environment and consequently thought itself, partake, and in particular, by playing a pivotal role.

Citation

Chiotinis, N. (2006), "The request of sustainability and architecture as cultural paradigm", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 593-598. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830610684558