Abstract:
Sustainable design practices are a key component in ensuring that the building and civil
infrastructure industry does not damage our natural environment. Green buildings – and
allied initiatives in other sectors of the built environment – are a primary mover in promoting
sustainable design practices. An important and dangerous inhibitor of sustainable design
practices, however, is the perception among key decision-makers that the additional costs
of green – or sustainably designed – buildings are too high, and that they are therefore not
economically viable. This study tested what those perceptions are, and compared the results
to (limited) actual cost data and found that the cost premium is less than half of what most
decision-makers think it is. Recommendations are then made around the development of
awareness programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the need to highlight
the necessity for developing further and more accurate data related to green building costs, and
the need to establish incentives to drive the take-up of sustainable design practices.
