“This guide gives a basic introduction to ecological sustainability issues and specifically how the built environment affects them. It begins by outlining the Australian position on Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) and some key policies relevant to buildings and ESD.
A state government and industry sponsored guide to a few of Victoria’s greener buildings. A Flash site with interactive map.
“Architecture 2030, a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization, was established in response to the climate change crisis by architect Edward Mazria in 2002. 2030’s mission is to rapidly transform the U.S. and global Building Sector from the major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions to a central part of the solution to the climate change, energy consumption, and economic crises. Our goal is straightforward: to achieve a dramatic reduction in the climate-change-causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Building Sector by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed and constructed.”
Rem Koolhaas’ speech to the Ecological Urbanism Conference , Harvard University, 3 April, 2009.
_“Recent research shows that most businesses want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions but few have the appropriate information to manage the process.
“The Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD), which is based within the School of the Built Environment at Oxford Brookes University, was established in July 2004. OISD, which has six main research groups, is the largest academic research institute in the UK dedicated to research on sustainable development in the built environment.”
“The Institute for Bionomic Urbanism sets forth new, integrated, economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development ideas for creating a better future for our cities and their dwellers. The IBU works towards the goal of a sustainable, bionomic urbanism by both developing theory and by practical, project based application.”
“Cool Melbourne explains climate change and important environmental issues in plain English. We promote the great green stories happening in Melbourne. Find out the challenges we face and what people are doing to get us back on track. Who’s doing well, who’s having a shocker!”
Greenpeace’s helpful guide to specifying timber in Australia, in such a way that PNG does not end up shaven bald.
The page you need to know if you’re practising in Victoria, as everything changed on May 1st.
American resource portal for green roofs.
Rate your office building or tenancy’s environmental impact with this handy tool.
“Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.”
Commercial web site for all things greenish (meaning plenty of ads). Many articles posted every day, and a busy forum.
A U.S. Public Broadcasting System program about sustainability innovation, with a particular focus on architecture
“The New Zealand Building Biology & Ecology Institute (BBE) provides information on how buildings affect the health of people and the environment, and ways of building healthier and more sustainable homes.”