Ecological modernization of sustainable buildings: a Danish perspective

Abstract

How has the contemporary development of sustainable buildings been influenced by the concept of ecological modernization? Ecological modernization is a policy concept describing how environmental considerations are increasingly being integrated into modern society's institutions through, for example, new types of cooperation and new applications of economic and market dynamics. Evidence is based on recent examples from politics and practice in the construction sector in Denmark, where sustainable buildings have gone through great changes -from being primarily isolated cases driven by enthusiasts and grassroots to being a more widespread, generally obtainable, and integrated product. This is considered within the context of ecological modernization, along with the implications of potential benefits and drawbacks. Based on the concepts of governance, standardization, and visibility, it is found that ecological modernization has penetrated in Danish sustainable buildings and has contributed to a positive development. However, there are aspects of sustainable consumption to which this development does not relate, including a constantly increasing demand for housing and the consequent increased demand for space heating.Comment le développement contemporain des bâ timents durables a-t-il été influencé par le concept de modernisation écologique? La modernisation écologique est un concept théorique qui explique comment les considérations environnementales sont de plus en plus intégrées dans les institutions de la société moderne, par exemple, par de nouveaux types de coopération et de nouvelles applications de la dynamique économique et des marchés. L'évidence repose sur de récents exemples puisés dans la théorie et la pratique du secteur de la construction au Danemark, où les bâ timents durables ont subi des modifications importantes, passant du cas isolé ayant pour origine des personnes enthousiastes et des initiatives locales, à un produit plus répandu, que l'on peut obtenir et intégrer facilement. L'ensemble est considéré dans le contexte de la modernisation écologique, avec tout ce que cela entraîne comme avantages et inconvénients potentiels. En se basant sur les concepts de gouvernance, de normalisation et de visibilité, il s'avère, au Danemark, que la modernisation écologique a pénétré dans les bâ timents durables et a contribué à un développement positif. Il reste toutefois des aspects de consommation durable vis-à -vis de laquelle ce développement n'a pas de rapport, y compris une demande constamment croissante de logements et, par voie de conséquence, une demande accrue de chauffage de ces bâ timents.

“It’s Just a Matter of Adjustment”: Residents’ Perceptions and the Potential for Low-impact Home Practices

“…While the introduction of more efficient domestic technology is increasingly found to be inadequate as a measure on its own to reduce absolute resource use (Herring and Roy, 2007), the push for automation and solutions that can uphold current levels of standard is strong as it portrays an appealing approach that requires little to no lifestyle changes among residents (Jensen and Gram-Hanssen, 2008). Critiques of the continuous escalation of living standards is nonetheless based in research that also questions the relation between consumption and subjective wellbeing (Andersson et al, 2014), where lowering levels of consumption could even be seen as crucial to 'living better' (Jackson, 2005).…”

“…Precedent research further problematizes the spatial and material standards associated with the modern home, underlining the implications of dwelling and household size (Wilson and Boehland, 2005;Hille, Simonsen and Aall, 2011;Klocker, Gibson and Borger, 2012). While measures are sought to incentivize the expansion of environmental consideration in the housing sector, integrated developments are often based in an ecological modernization approach (Lundqvist, 2004;Jensen and Gram-Hanssen, 2008) where relative improvements under the guise of 'green consumption' do not adequately address the absolute decrease of total consumption that is needed (Alfredsson, 2004).…”

Units of Production and Consumption: Reframing Social Housing as Sustainable Infrastructure

“…In a utilitarian frame, neoclassical economists hold that the well-being of the greatest number of people actually benefits from unequal wealth distribution by "allowing for the intrinsic heterogeneity of populations" [21•-169]. 3 Implicit in Friedman's notion of social heterogeneity is a seemingly natural hierarchy of "intrinsic" human capabilities in which some of us are simply more capable, driven, or intelligent than others. It is, then, through the "cooperation and coordination," or reciprocity, of such higher functioning men that wealth is created without "coercion" by the state [21•-168].…”

“…Among types of architecture, housing consumes the greatest amount of energy and is, therefore, a major focus of research [2,3]. And among types of housing, at least in the United States, social housing is thought to be the most problematic to manage because it introduces so many politically controversial and extra-scientific factors.…”

Paradoxes and Possibilities for a ‘Green’ Housing Sector: A Swedish Case

“…Although in line with an ecological modernization paradigm [20,21], the promotion of a market-driven environmentalism to achieve eco-innovation in housing is, as is discussed in this paper, lined with obstacles as differing interests and perspectives collide. The housing sector needs to cater to a plethora of demands from policy, clients, and investors, of which some are indeed of an environmental or social nature.…”