In the article “This Detroit House is being turned
into a living model of cost-saving sustainable design”, Peters (2016)
illustrates how a group of three architecture graduates purchased a house with
the intention of sharing their knowledge in sustainability with the community
of Detroit through their project ‘“Motown Movement”’. The students conducted a
brief research of Detroit and noticed the locals have already implemented some
form of eco-friendly practices, however they are still lacking in knowledge of
modifying their existing house in a more cost-efficient way. Hence, the
students’ constructed a two-storey model house to use the ground level as a
“training facility” while the upper level accommodates family who are homeless.
Some sustainable examples incorporated in their model are usage of solar
panels, “graywater system” for rainwater harvesting and converting of “sewage
into biogas and fertiliser” using “septic tank”. The students are adopting the
“do-it-yourself” method, as such the construction materials used should be
easily available at any local supply stores. Owing to ‘“Motown Movement”’ being
versatile, it can also be applicable to other climate conditions globally and
the students aim to increase the awareness of sustainable design with more
communities to educate them on the simplicity and benefits of it. While Peters
is able to display some benefits of sustainable initiatives through the
students’ project, I feel that her article is lacking in explaining the
importance of sustainability in today’s society.
The first reason why Peters’ article is lacking in
explaining the importance of sustainability is because it seems to focus
largely on the cost-saving aspect. Reusing “materials from abandoned houses”
and installing “insulation to reduce energy use as much as 70%” are example of
savings in either construction materials or energy consumption costing. These
examples are directed to the idea of finding “affordable” ways to improve an
existing house to be cost-efficient. The savings in monetary terms should be an
added advantage of sustainability rather than a focal point.
In contrast to the cost-saving benefits as shown
through ‘“Motown Movement”’ in Peters’ article, the importance of
sustainability can be divided into three pillars: environmental protection,
economic development and social development (Mason, n.d.). The publication
"Singapore Sustainable Blueprint 2015" (2014) discusses on all three
pillars and is able to give the reader a well-rounded explanation on the need
for sustainability. In Singapore’s context, the components such as reducing
carbon footprint emission, reducing of wastes and saving of water resources
falls under environmental protection. As per the publication, the competition
for “finite supply of resources” (Singapore Sustainable Blueprint 2015, 2014,
p. 10) will be increasing due to global development and population growth. With
Singapore’s limitations, the need for optimising the use of “precious
resources” (PM Lee, 2014, para. 7) is even more prevalent in order to keep up
globally. In conjunction, businesses in Singapore will adopt
environmentally-friendly practices to contribute to being a cutting-edge
business hub. Future industrials estates will be introduced as “living
laboratory that fosters creativity and innovation” (Singapore Sustainable
Blueprint 2015, 2014, p. 16). Lastly on the social aspect, everyone in the
nation will be the beneficiary of the desired outcomes of sustainability. This requires
the communities, government and businesses to be united in “shaping our
neighbourhoods and building a more gracious society together” (Singapore
Sustainable Blueprint 2015, 2014, p. 17).
In conclusion, although Peters’ article discusses
on the examples of simple sustainable techniques and its benefits, it does not
convey the importance of sustainability. With the ever-increasing growth of
population worldwide and a rapid depletion of natural resources, the collective
efforts in sustainable development is crucial to remain competitive; and at the
same time environmentally friendly.
(601 words)
References
Mason,
M. (n.d.). What Is Sustainability and Why Is It Important? Retrieved November
19, 2016, from http://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability
Our
Home, Our Environment, Our Future. Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015.
(n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2016, from http://www.mewr.gov.sg/ssb/files/ssb2015.pdf
Peters,
A. (2016, July 7). This Detroit House Is Being Turned Into a Living Model Of
Cost-Saving Sustainable Design. Retrieved November 19, 2016, from https://www.fastcoexist.com/3061563/world-changing-ideas/this-detroit-house-is-being-turned-into-a-living-model-of-cost-saving-s
PM
unveils Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 to renew strategies for a liveable
and sustainable Singapore. (2014, November 8). Retrieved November 19, 2016,
from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/news/pm-unveils-sustainable-singapore-blueprint-2015-renew-strategies-liveable-and-sustainable
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