Top Ten Challenges To Building Sustainable Communities

Building sustainable communities is an achievable goal, but not one without challenges. As governments of all levels increasingly work with designers, developers and builders, many of those challenges can be overcome, the biggest of which is changing behaviour and practices.

"You can build it and they will come, but consumers need to carry the concept forward into their behaviour," says Bard Golightly of Edmonton-based Christenson Developments. A trailblazer in building sustainable communities, Golightly shares his top 10 list of challenges to building communities that are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable:

1. The regulatory environment is often rigid. Planning and building standards criteria offer insufficient flexibility for designers and builders to be creative.
2. Municipal governments are sometimes resistant to forging partnerships with the private sector or collaborating on projects that don't meet traditional building requirements. Although local governments are leaders in constructing sustainable buildings, municipal planners can be reluctant to break out of their traditional role of re viewing private development plans, instead of getting involved at the outset.
3. Building codes need to keep pace with changes in design, and often do. Building codes are always under review and constantly evolving as technologies change.
4. Market choices are limited and consumer demand for them is low, though growing. The reasons include consumer ignorance about what sustainability means and can offer. "It's not a primary motivating factor for many folks, but it's increasing," says Golightly.
5. Sustainable building costs can be higher, but the gap with traditional construction costs is closing. As affordability increases, so will market supply.
6. The choice and availability of materials to meet sustainable construction goals remain limited. But as demand grows, suppliers are delivering.
7. Sustainability must be integrated into the planning process. Spending more time up front can reduce construction costs, with fewer delays caused by regulatory squabbles. "If you spend that time up front planning, the back end of the project will go much faster," says Golightly.
8. Engineers and planners tend to think traditionally. "There has to be a more goal-based plan, and a regulatory environment that's willing to listen," says Golightly. Many sustainable designs are new concepts, without a proven history, and must be able to stand up to scrutiny.
9. The search for information and resources can be time consuming. Although research into sustainability and green building is increasing, there isn't yet a central, easily-accessible database. Many people also don't know about government incentive programs. "It's about information and time," says Golightly. "From a private perspective, that means overhead. But steadily and surely, the data is becoming more accessible." Experienced sustainable developers also need to share their knowledge.
10. Industry and consumers must adopt sustainable behaviours. Builders, for example, should recycle construction waste, while consumers should be more willing to participate in recycling programs, community gardens and car sharing. "There is no one solution," says Golightly. "It's mostly about behaviour."