Constructing sustainability : connecting the social and the technical in a case study of school building projects

摘要: This thesis traces the political interpretation of sustainability, and its translation into practice in English school building programmes during period 2000-2010. Social power theory is used to analyse complex network decisions, their consequences, through case studies policy development projects. The describes how control appointments task forces issues considered allowed Government manage framing agenda while seeming validate industry perspectives. The process led a sustainability that translated two main technical solutions: improved operational energy efficiency low-carbon technologies. Within construction projects potential professional experts produce alternative solutions also demonstrated, example successful introduction cross-laminated timber reduce embodied carbon. Outcomes are therefore shown have been substantially influenced by exercise both power. The shows unintentional effects procurement processes design tools defining limiting possibilities, restricting systems within which actors operate, numbers provoke unreflective trust. These some irrational solutions, with demonstrating technologies installed three likely higher, not lower, carbon emissions. These multiple constrained thinking possibilities for construction, limited subsequent practical had substantial at times negative effect on material performance resultant buildings. In addition only used, governed, but appear governed them, actions understanding sustainability.