188
C. F. Albrecht et al.
Keywords Affordable homes · Energy efficiency · Sustainability · Ecosystem
services
1 Introduction
Cities are the defining ecological phenomenon—they are continuously growing both
in area and population while increasing the demand and impact on natural resources.
As cities grow and re-urbanization continues, housing is a fundamental need and
impact on resources. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that:
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of
himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary
social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability,
widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (UDHR,
Article 25 (1), 1948)
Environmental degradation, natural resource depletion, and the devastating effects
of climate change—including on human health, safety and welfare—threaten the
basic right to housing. The Habitat Agenda emphasizes that “provisions [and appropriate action] of adequate housing requires action of governments, the private sector,
non-government organizations, communities and local authorities, entities of the
international community” (Habitat Agenda, Paragraph 61). Yet housing affordability remains an international struggle. Sustainability must be considered as integral
to solutions. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) inform a way forward.
Affordable housing is certainly central to SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and by extension the remaining sixteen SDGs. Most obviously, affordable
sustainable housing has a role in eliminating poverty (SDG #1), could contribute to
“good health and well-being” (SDG #3), “affordable and clean energy” (SDG #7)
and “climate action” (SDG #13). The Habitat Agenda advocates for “strong institutions” (SDG #16) and “partnerships” (SDG #17). Once the provision for housing is assured and sustained through long- and short-term affordability, other goals
can be prioritized, including providing adequate nutrients (SDG #2, Zero Hunger),
Quality Education (SDG #4), and related industry and processes informed by SDG
#12: Responsible Consumption and Production, #8: Decent Work and Economic
Growth, and #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure—leading to more “gender
equity” (SDG #5) and “reduced inequalities” (SDG #10). Design has a great potential towards ecological regeneration within and of cities, contributing to Sustainable
Development Goals that respect non-human life (SDG #14: Life Below Water and
SDG #15: Life on Land) and purify water (SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
In this context, the 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 (MA
2005). 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,
C. F. Albrecht et al.
Keywords Affordable homes · Energy efficiency · Sustainability · Ecosystem
services
1 Introduction
Cities are the defining ecological phenomenon—they are continuously growing both
in area and population while increasing the demand and impact on natural resources.
As cities grow and re-urbanization continues, housing is a fundamental need and
impact on resources. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that:
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of
himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary
social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability,
widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (UDHR,
Article 25 (1), 1948)
Environmental degradation, natural resource depletion, and the devastating effects
of climate change—including on human health, safety and welfare—threaten the
basic right to housing. The Habitat Agenda emphasizes that “provisions [and appropriate action] of adequate housing requires action of governments, the private sector,
non-government organizations, communities and local authorities, entities of the
international community” (Habitat Agenda, Paragraph 61). Yet housing affordability remains an international struggle. Sustainability must be considered as integral
to solutions. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) inform a way forward.
Affordable housing is certainly central to SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and by extension the remaining sixteen SDGs. Most obviously, affordable
sustainable housing has a role in eliminating poverty (SDG #1), could contribute to
“good health and well-being” (SDG #3), “affordable and clean energy” (SDG #7)
and “climate action” (SDG #13). The Habitat Agenda advocates for “strong institutions” (SDG #16) and “partnerships” (SDG #17). Once the provision for housing is assured and sustained through long- and short-term affordability, other goals
can be prioritized, including providing adequate nutrients (SDG #2, Zero Hunger),
Quality Education (SDG #4), and related industry and processes informed by SDG
#12: Responsible Consumption and Production, #8: Decent Work and Economic
Growth, and #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure—leading to more “gender
equity” (SDG #5) and “reduced inequalities” (SDG #10). Design has a great potential towards ecological regeneration within and of cities, contributing to Sustainable
Development Goals that respect non-human life (SDG #14: Life Below Water and
SDG #15: Life on Land) and purify water (SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
In this context, the 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 (MA
2005). 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,