Construction World November 2023

MARKETPLACE

SUSTAINABILITY IS A KEY DRIVER

Vishaal Lutchman, MD of Transport at Zutari, a leading consulting engineering and advisory firm, talks about sustainability as an enabler for growth and development in Africa.

T he concept of sustainability is considered differently for developing countries versus developed countries. Developed economies tend to look at sustainability with a significant focus towards environmental impact and preservation. In contrast, developing countries consider sustainability from a socio-economic perspective, which includes infrastructure-related challenges, for example. Sustainability is envisioned differently as it relates to issues faced in the country, the region, the continent, and the world. In part, a contributing attribute is the concept of freedoms that matter in South Africa and is argued to be necessary for incorporation as it will play out in the success of sustainability initiatives. Notwithstanding that we are globally disconnected on sustainability priorities, it remains that varying perspectives do increase dissonance by influencing how we define, behave,

development pillars are the same. However, they excluded the ‘human’ pillar. Also called the cultural pillar, it is a recent addition to the initial three. These pillars have been researched and constructed for businesses, communities, public sector agencies, and others to assist with meaningful and relevant applications. Social refers to initiatives that support healthier, fair, and just communities. Environmental refers to preserving environmental resources so as not to over-exploit them, thereby allowing ecosystems the chance of recovery. The economic pillar refers to economic and financial sustainability in developing and using efficient assets. The cultural pillar enables initiatives when a given society’s beliefs, processes and practices are protected and nurtured. The identity of communities should remain intact for sustainability to flourish. Socially just communities with strong economies and robust cultures

4 CONSTRUCTION WORLD NOVEMBER 2023 strategies concerning programmes, initiatives, and actions. Sustainable debate, construct developmental strategies, execute projects, and transform societies to remain sustainable. We all see sustainability and its constructs differently depending on one’s background, culture, experiences, and prevailing aspirations. If we are to work as a unified collective to address sustainability at a global level, we must find each other – which is an altruistic view. We can argue that our power crises have brought a disconnect to the fore, creating the renewables versus coal discourse. It exemplifies environmental versus social/economic debate towards achieving a sustainable energy solution when one acknowledges the forces at play attempting to influence decisions. The sustainability pillars – namely social, human, economic and environmental – serve as the basis for defining and articulating sustainability