An Analytical study of the regulatory process for the ecologically sensitive urban planning and building practices

Abstract

The techniques and equipment available to the architect today free him from nearly all material constrains. He has the run of centuries of styles and can choose his plans from every continent on earth. But he must remember that he is not building in a vacuum and placing his houses in empty space, as mere plans on a blank sheet of paper. He is introducing a new element in to an environment that has existed in equilibrium for very long time. He has responsibilities to what surrounds the site and if he shrinks this responsibility and dose violence to the environment by building without reference to it, he is committing a crime against the civilization. Nature is a natural phenomena but architecture is man-made. Life and built forms sustain in the nature without any conflict. However the past couple of centuries specially after the "Industrial Revolution" man has been accused of promoting development at the cost of environment and quality of human life. Sustainable and ecologically sensitive development as path of progress meet the need and aspirations of the present generation without compromising the ability to future generations to meet their needs. Urban development as the central theme against ecological sustainability should be regulated for the survival of future generations. The collective impact of individual building practices within the urban development is identified as the major aspect to regulate for the sustainability of the ecological system. As a holistic approach for the sustainable and ecologically sensitive urban development, this study analytically examines it.