Architecture must utilise holistic, integrative methods from the smallest scale up through that of city and regional planning, never forgetting that buildings, landscapes, the natural environment and infrastructures are all essential elements in creating a sustainable future. A careful and considerate design of forms, geometry and spatial strategies, married with the appropriate materials, equipment and functional distribution can reduce the use of resources, greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact by 50% to 80%.

In the 1980's the environmental focus was on energy and technical solutions. Now we know that technology alone cannot solve our problems; we must engage holistically to attain both sustainability and a high quality of life for all.

The International Union of Architects (UIA) is committed to reducing, or reversing, the negative impact of the built environment on the global climate. Here at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen the UIA is initiating its Sustainable by Design strategy, which will lead to the adoption of practical programmes at the UIA World Congress and General Assembly in Tokyo in 2011.

The UIA Open Forum "Sustainable by Design" takes place from the 7th to the 12th of December at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copen- hagen. It is designed as an international platform for an open discussion about guiding strategies and concepts for a responsible and holistic urban and building design, directed to the architectural community and the interested public.

You can participate in the discussion in our workshops, exhibitions and presentations and on:

www.uia-architectes.org/cop15_en.html
www.uia-architectes.org/cop15_fr.html