Sustainability Commons^™

2014-15 Central West State Of The Environment Report, Neil Dufty

Neil Dufty

Enhancing Sustainability Through Designing For Adaptive Reuse From The Outset: A Comparison Of Adaptstar And Adaptive Reuse Potential (Arp) Models, Sheila Conejos, Craig Langston, Jim Smith

Craig Langston

Purpose – This paper aims to make the case for the development of an adaptive reuse rating tool targeted to new building design that maximises the embedded adaptive reuse potential of these buildings later in their life, thereby adding to built environment sustainability. Design/methodology/approach – This exploratory study retrospectively analyses successful adaptive reuse projects to establish and test a multi-criteria decision-making model for new design projects. This paper contains a report on the final stages of the research methodology (quantitative approach) used in the development of the adaptSTAR model that critically assesses the list of design criteria identified in the …

Designing For Better Building Adaptability: A Comparison Of Adaptstar And Arp Models, Sheila Conejos, Craig Langston, Jim Smith

Craig Langston

Can sustainability and adaptability be integrated in a single decision tool for designing future buildings? Indeed, it is not possible to know what lies ahead for future buildings but, using current research on sustainability and the impact on natural resources and climate, it is possible to forecast the connection between built environment activity and sustainability. This paper demonstrates that the assessment of future adaptation in newly designed building is achievable by using the adaptSTAR model. This new design-rating tool, based on detailed analysis of 12 award-winning adaptive reuse projects in Australia, will assist designers in making decisions to achieve optimum …

Occupier Perceptions Of Green Workplace Environment: The Australian Experience, Hikari Kato, Linda Too, Ann Rask

Hikari Kato

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the perceptions by occupiers of green workplace environments. It examines how occupiers (both management and employees) perceive and evaluate the role of green workplace environments, and subsequently assesses the effectiveness of a green workplace environment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relies on a data set derived from a survey of 128 respondents who have occupied Green Building Council Australia's Green Star-rated offices and buildings for more than 12 months. Findings – The findings suggest that green workplace offers greater psychological benefits (taking pride of the workplace environment) to occupiers …

Business Sustainability And Undergraduate Management Education In Australia, Josie Fisher, Ingrid Bonn

Ingrid Bonn

There is a large and rapidly expanding academic literature arguing that there is an urgent requirement for businesses to become more sustainable. There is also a demonstrated need for managers to develop a better understanding of sustainability and the appropriate strategies required to improve business sustainability. In addition, there are international calls for educators to address sustainability in their programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which business sustainability is being incorporated into undergraduate business and management courses in Australian universities. The high percentage of international students enrolled in these courses suggests our findings have …

Occupier Perceptions Of Green Workplace Environment: The Australian Experience, Hikari Kato, Linda Too, Ann Rask

Linda Too

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the perceptions by occupiers of green workplace environments. It examines how occupiers (both management and employees) perceive and evaluate the role of green workplace environments, and subsequently assesses the effectiveness of a green workplace environment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relies on a data set derived from a survey of 128 respondents who have occupied Green Building Council Australia's Green Star-rated offices and buildings for more than 12 months. Findings – The findings suggest that green workplace offers greater psychological benefits (taking pride of the workplace environment) to occupiers …

Palaeoecology: A Tool To Improve The Management Of Australian Estuaries, Krystyna M. Saunders, Kathryn H. Taffs

Dr Kathryn H Taffs

Addressing environmental problems in estuaries is a worldwide problem. Establishing benchmarks and targets for management is critical, whether the aim is conservation, restoration or ‘sustainable wise use’. Palaeoecological techniques have rapidly improved during the past decade, particularly with advances in methods that allow high resolution quantitative assessments of environmental change, allowing pre-impact conditions, the rate, extent and direction of change, and range of natural variability to be determined. Australian estuarine ecosystems are qualitatively different to the often more well-studied estuaries in North America and Europe, which means site-specific studies of Australian estuaries are needed to inform management. While a potentially …