Sustainable Planning

Sustainable design takes into account environmental, economic and social sustainability, while focusing on the needs of the occupants and the wider environmental impact associated with the construction and use of the dwelling. By taking energy efficiency into account at the design stage issues such as compactness, orientation and insulation, and change management, can be considered, and designed for. This will maximise the benefits to be gained, without entailing excessive cost. Although sustainable design takes into account a wide variety of aspects, such a lifestyle, surrounding environment and the visual characteristics of buildings, the application of the principles of sustainable design can have far reaching effects in terms of energy efficiency.
 
The general principles of sustainable design include:

• The use of low impact materials.
• Energy efficiency.
• Design for reuse and recycling.
• Quality and durability.
• Use of renewable materials.

The application of these principles to construction can: 

- Extend the lifetime of a building by increasing flexibility, making it more adaptable and, therefore, more able to meet the changing needs of occupants. The choice of material will also affect the lifespan of buildings. More durable material will result in less maintenance and repair work over the course of the life of a building.

- Decrease the energy requirements of the building by using the orientation of the dwelling to maximise solar gain, or improve insulation. Consideration of renewable heating technologies, such as biomass and wind power and their suitability to a site, will allow easier installation, thereby facilitating a reduction on the dependence on fossil fuels. Sustainable design can increase the energy efficiency of dwellings by 40%.

- Decrease the overall emissions during construction of the dwelling by taking into account the materials used on site. The design can ensure that standard sizes of materials and components are used, limiting the need for on site modification and the associated waste.  Use of non-toxic materials can also be limited.

- Limit the of use non-renewable and scarce resources during construction by choosing renewable and/or sustainable materials where possible. Choosing durable materials will also reduce the need for replacement in the future.

- Help to minimise waste production during the construction process and provide for recycling of both construction waste and domestic waste generated during the maintenance of the building.

The importance of sustainable planning

Sustainable planning is implemented in conjunction with sustainable design and incorporates the same emphasis on environmental, economic, and social sustainability, but, in general, looks at a development in a larger context and at how a development interacts with the surrounding environment. 

The potential for loss of energy due to ineffectual planning is vast due to the large numbers of houses projected to be required for the future. Consequently, the implementation of planning policies which take sustainable planning into account present an opportunity to improve the overall energy efficiency of our communities.  

Until recently the development of Ireland’s housing sector has been characterised by the ever-expanding footprint of urban areas. However, the recently published guidelines Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas indicates that the growth in Ireland’s housing sector must be provided for with “high density residential development in the right locations, which are well serviced in terms of public transport and community facilities and which are built to the highest standards”. This type of planning will help to reduce the transport and energy needs of communities, and thus reducing the overall carbon output.