Keynote Address by Y.Bhg. Prof. Dato' Omar Osman, at the 5th ICBEDC 2011

CONVERGENCE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT THEORIES AND PRACTICES

Abstract

As the call for the integration of sustainable measures into the Built Environment gains considerable momentum the world over, the time has come for a subjective review of the practices of the construction industry. In recent times, there have many ideas and theories that have been bandied about on how the current structure of this industry may be re-engineered to allow a more sustainable outlook to seep in initially and ultimately steep the Built Environment with a distinctively ‘green’ flavour. These theories should now be subjected to a thorough application within the industry. There needs to be a bridge-like synapse that can convert these notions into a working practical solution in the Built Environment.

This paper adapts this premise as the pretext for the conceptualization of a convergence between theory and practice. By enabling these theories to be placed where they matter the most; at the very heart of the industry; a meeting point of sorts will be able to be established. Using this as the platform for future workings for the Built Environment, an in-depth scrutiny on the current practices of the Built Environment will be done and gaps where these sustainable theories can fit in will be identified. Through this examination, a framework that will enable the smooth immersion of these theories into practices will be forwarded. While requiring future and further research, this paper hopes to provide the underpinning fundamental base to facilitate a converging point between theory and practice, idea and intervention.

 

Preface

First and foremost, allow me to accord my deepest and sincerest gratitude to the organizers for inviting me to deliver a keynote address in this auspicious conference here this morning, in front of a learned and esteemed audience. As this series of ICBEDC conferences has always championed the sustainable cause, specifically within the Built Environment, it is only apt that my talk here today addresses the importance, or rather the significance, of adopting sustainable theories and approaches into practical applicable practices within this sector and industry. This talk will be akin to a journey of sorts, from the initial step of planning and setting out this excursion, to the many obstacles that may crop up during the journey and finally, how and when we will be able to reach our intended destination.

 

Introduction

There is an old Chinese curse that goes, ‘May you live in interesting times’, as a warning of the many challenges and pitfalls that may befall those living in a future challenging and demanding world. That time has indeed arrived, we are all global citizens of a world that is inundated with problems too many to list down, a world that is peppered with derisive tribulations that may derail our quest towards a holistic way of inhabiting Mother Earth. I am not being overly pessimistic, neither am I trying to paint a bleak solemn picture, but rather being realistic in trying to gauge the problems that we are facing. It is only when we understand, identify and acknowledge our shortcomings, can we then strive and attempt to rectify, mitigate and ultimately solve these problems. The time to heed the call for more sustainable global communities has grown stronger of late due to a few crucial maladies. Natural resources are fast becoming scarce and limited, and the efforts to push for renewable sources do not seem to be able to keep up with global demands. As nations become more industries in their economic outlook, depending largely on manufacturing, construction and physical development as the key indicators for growth and prosperity, the burden on our natural resources is undoubtedly undeniable. Though there are several concerted efforts in establishing renewable energy and natural resources, at present, while these efforts should be indeed valued and appreciated, the demand is far over-subscribing the supply.

Another aspect that certainly needs our attention is our ever-growing global population. As we celebrated the birth of the 7^th billion human being in the Philippines this past October, we must also realize that the strain on our earth is becoming more and more. We have to find sustainable and practical ways to live together, to share our limited resources and band together for the betterment of this planet we call home. A bigger population means a bigger pool of resources, a large portion of manpower but at the same time it also brings added liabilities and encumbrances. It is how we manage our population that has to take priority, through an optimized allocation and apportionment of our shared resources.

The world today has indeed become borderless. Migration has become a common norm, more so in global work forces. While we may seem to embrace the virtues of a more liberal approach towards labour, these migration patterns are not without disadvantages. As global communities become a mesh of races, ethnicities and social groups, the efforts toward unity, togetherness and solidarity have to be doubled. Without a common underlying bind, we would be hard pressed to act and band together to address the problems we face. It is in our differences that we should find a mutual ground to work on. A super-ordinate goal that surpasses all our individual objectives and intentions should be identified, that I firmly believe that all-encompassing goal is a sustainable future.

Renowned authors and economic experts on global megatrends such as Thomas Friedman and NenadPacek have listed several trends that may affect our environment, economies and businesses. Allow me to put my spin on 5 global megatrends that are relevant to our context here today. Global competition is at an all time high as countries seek to find their piece of the economic pie. Competition may bring innovative and out of the box ideas and endeavors but at the same time it may also bring acrimonious attempts in trying to undermine and overcome one’s competitors. The second megatrend is the emergence of global communities. Local customs, norms, values and problems have now become global issues. As the world becomes just one huge neighborhood, we truly have to embrace and acknowledge that we are no living in isolation but rather accept the notion that what we do within our fast blurring borders may influence something or someone half way around the globe. This amalgamation of societies has led to the third megatrend, drastic changes in our political landscape as well as our demography. Although physical demarcation and borders still exist, there are many shared and co-joined political aspirations and ideologies across global communities.

Our seemingly exploitative approach towards our natural environment has led to significant changes in our climate, which is another emerging global megatrend. Global warming, natural catastrophes and climate calamities have unfortunately become more apparent and frequent of late. What this inevitably does is put pressure on our demands for the so-called tri-fecta of basic needs; Food, Energy and Water (FEW). If our climatic problems are not solved or handled, the needs for FEW will grow at an alarming rate, and perhaps, these resources that we have come to take for granted, may soon become rare and too expensive to procure and produce. Another new megatrend that is fast emerging is what was once considered as an alternative media and realm; the virtual world. Pioneer gonzo and science fiction author, William Gibson, coined the phrase cyberspace to describe an alternate universe, running parallel to our own reality, populated by netizens within virtual environments. The internet now has become a norm, a tool that we use without thinking almost every moment of our lives. Social media and virtual forums are now the platform for knowledge and information dissemination. To move forward, we must embrace this realm and use it with our best intentions for our best intended outcomes.

 

Trends

These megatrends are imminently seen in the Korea, one of the relatively fastest growing economies in the region. Korea 2040, used to describe the Korean generation in their 20s, 30s and 40s, are emerging as a significant political, social and cultural demographic in Korea today. Faced with uncertain prospects birthed by the worldwide trend of the jobless economic recovery, the younger generations of Korea have redefined themselves as a politically and socially potent demographic. A 2010 opinion poll conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of 1,000 young people in their 20s found that the primary issue of concern among respondents was employment. Following these developments, the term "2040 generation" has emerged not only as a buzzword in Korean media and social commentary but also a theme of contemporary culture. The unprecedented turnout of "2040" voters in the recent 2011 Seoul mayoral election, in particular, was seen as an effort by younger generations to engage the wider society in a much-needed dialogue on their needs. Realizing this growing demand, the Korean government has taken steps to address this issue. 17 mega projects were identified as key drivers for economic growth. Among those projects, vital industries and sectors that have been roped in are the green technology industry, focusing on a green transport system which makes green cars a necessity and no longer merely an option; state of the art fusion industry incorporating RFID and USN technology; high value added food industry; and, high value added service industry with the underlying elements of green financing. The Koreans have also selected 4 critical areas as their main focus. The first is the natural environment which requires the implementation of a low carbon economy. The next critical area is food with the main intent of ensuring sufficient and safe food supply. The area centers around the concept of ‘Healthy World – Healthy Citizens’ and lastly, ensuring the safety and security of their populace.

In trying to mitigate these hindrances, one approach which may work in an effective and efficient manner is sustainable project management. The challenges that lay ahead in terms of incorporating sustainability into project management may be many. Among them is the need to ensure that the sustainable agenda reaches its intended objective. As the reach of sustainability is wide and broad, certain niche areas have to be the thrust of these efforts, namely, education and the built environment. Within education, some of the key areas which may be of concern and immediate reform are education for sustainable development, higher education for sustainability and student development for sustainability. For the built environment, the main effort must be to ensure sustainability is attainable and maintained while infusing construction activities with a more sustainable outlook and manner. All these, if done correctly, will ensure the concept of sustainability will converge onto the path of project management.

 

Concepts and Theories

I am sure that most of us here have been or are involved in the efforts to make the Built Environment more sustainable and most of us here as well already are well-versed with the classic and seminal definition of sustainable development as espoused by the Brundtland Commission, ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. The main issues that should be of utmost importance to all of us here revolve around the aspects of:

 

In reality, project management function in numerous and far-reaching ways. The main focus of project management is the production function, where productivity and meeting objectives is of the main concern. Projects revolve around a temporary organization made up of individuals from different and diverse backgrounds. Project management can also be deemed as an agent of change, where it is through this management approach that physical entities may be produced; bringing intended change to its surrounding internal and external environments. Project management is where resources are utilized towards meeting certain goals, which undeniably means that optimization of resources is key in ensuring that resources that efficiently used. There are also numerous uncertainties in project management as the very essence of the industry relies on various volatile resources. As such management is crucial in trying to mitigate these uncertainties in making them manageable and controllable. Normally, the key person in charge of this temporary project management team is the project manager. In other words, he will be responsible in the needed coordination, scheduling and implementation.

 

Characteristics of Project Management and Sustainable Development

As we have established the importance and characteristics of both project management and sustainable development, it is crucial now to facilitate the convergence of these two aspects. There are basically six minor meeting points as follows:

These are the minor points of convergence that need our direct and concerted efforts. We must strive to reform the way we do business and operations. By designating minor milestones are identified by these points, our journey towards this noble destination will be much more systematic and easier to achieve. The way forward may be difficult, but by allowing ourselves to take meaningful baby steps, the outcome that we all aim for will be attainable. Changing something as established as our construction industry is, is certainly not a task for the meek, but I firmly believe that all of us here are ready and well prepared for this daunting but meaningful task at hand.

With that, I thank you and wish you the best. Wassalam.