International Transdisciplinary
Approach to Sustainability Research
Related to Place: Sustainable, Affordable
Homes and Ecosystem Services
in the U.S. and Brazil
Clarissa Ferreira Albrecht, Joyce Correna Carlo, Lisa Domenica Iulo
and Peter D. Buckland
Abstract Cities are the defining ecological phenomenon as they are continuously
growing both in area and population while increasing the demand and impact on natural resources. Design has a great potential towards ecological regeneration within
and of cities. In this context, an ecosystem services approach may be a comprehensive framework for guiding design processes and practices to achieve the highest
ecological performance where multiple ecosystem services are provided within a
system. Bringing together ecology, design and project realization requires a transdisciplinary approach. Ecological issues embracing the triple bottom line of sustainability, especially for social equity, vary across the globe in response to place-based
characteristics. As a representative case that embraces design in relation to ecology,
sustainable, affordable houses located in the U.S. and Brazil are compared for their
performance towards ecosystem services provision in respect to energy efficiency
solutions. This is a collaborative effort between universities from these two countries, brings together researchers, students, practitioners and community stakeholders, engaging in a process that actively seeks to define relevant questions, accelerates
knowledge of solutions and engages and empowers effective solutions. Results outline successful methods and strategies employed in each context and an approach for
ongoing, meaningful collaboration.
C. F. Albrecht (B) · J. C. Carlo
Department of Architecture and Urbanism, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Universitário,
Viçosa, MG, Brazil
e-mail: clarissa.arch@gmail.com
J. C. Carlo
e-mail: joycecarlo@ufv.br
L. D. Iulo
Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, The Pennsylvania State
University, 121 Stuckeman Family Building, University Park, PA, USA
e-mail: ldi1@psu.edu
P. D. Buckland
Sustainability Institute and Department of Educational Theory and Policy, The Pennsylvania State
University, 102 Land and Water Building, University Park, PA, USA
e-mail: pdb118@psu.edu
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities and Sustainable Communities:
Meeting the Goals of the Agenda 2030, World Sustainability Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30306-8_11
187
Approach to Sustainability Research
Related to Place: Sustainable, Affordable
Homes and Ecosystem Services
in the U.S. and Brazil
Clarissa Ferreira Albrecht, Joyce Correna Carlo, Lisa Domenica Iulo
and Peter D. Buckland
Abstract Cities are the defining ecological phenomenon as they are continuously
growing both in area and population while increasing the demand and impact on natural resources. Design has a great potential towards ecological regeneration within
and of cities. In this context, an ecosystem services approach may be a comprehensive framework for guiding design processes and practices to achieve the highest
ecological performance where multiple ecosystem services are provided within a
system. Bringing together ecology, design and project realization requires a transdisciplinary approach. Ecological issues embracing the triple bottom line of sustainability, especially for social equity, vary across the globe in response to place-based
characteristics. As a representative case that embraces design in relation to ecology,
sustainable, affordable houses located in the U.S. and Brazil are compared for their
performance towards ecosystem services provision in respect to energy efficiency
solutions. This is a collaborative effort between universities from these two countries, brings together researchers, students, practitioners and community stakeholders, engaging in a process that actively seeks to define relevant questions, accelerates
knowledge of solutions and engages and empowers effective solutions. Results outline successful methods and strategies employed in each context and an approach for
ongoing, meaningful collaboration.
C. F. Albrecht (B) · J. C. Carlo
Department of Architecture and Urbanism, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Universitário,
Viçosa, MG, Brazil
e-mail: clarissa.arch@gmail.com
J. C. Carlo
e-mail: joycecarlo@ufv.br
L. D. Iulo
Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, The Pennsylvania State
University, 121 Stuckeman Family Building, University Park, PA, USA
e-mail: ldi1@psu.edu
P. D. Buckland
Sustainability Institute and Department of Educational Theory and Policy, The Pennsylvania State
University, 102 Land and Water Building, University Park, PA, USA
e-mail: pdb118@psu.edu
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities and Sustainable Communities:
Meeting the Goals of the Agenda 2030, World Sustainability Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30306-8_11
187