ABSTRACT

The concept of sustainability and the challenges arising during the application of its principles have been the subject of a long debate. The definition of sustainability, the understanding of consequences and the values driving the decisions vary between individuals and organisations. In order to be able to implement sustainability successfully in the built environment, all the stakeholders must understand the implications and share the same priorities. However, consensus in these matters appears to be a challenge.

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the conflicts that arise between environmental, social and economic sustainability goals from the perspective of the various stakeholders. Drawing on the experience and lessons learned from a case study of a sustainable urban development the challenges related to the definition of sustainability and the application of the term in practice are illustrated.

In this case study example, attention is drawn to the risks of vagueness in the definition of sustainability in projects, as well as the consequences of disharmony in perceptions of sustainability by different stakeholders.