Attitudes towards sustainability and their implication for education, practice and future research

The findings of a study undertaken to identify attitudes towards sustainability held by a group of Brisbane architects and designers are presented and explored in terms of their implications for education, research and practice. Overall, it was found that the practitioners do not appreciate the complexity and multidimensional nature of sustainability and its associated issues. Despite espoused commitment to the notion of sustainability, very little ‘sustainable practice’ is conducted at home or in relation to design practice. This is attributed to several factors including lack of knowledge, lack of opportunity and lack of a sense of personal responsibility. Recommendations are made for academics with respect to the collaborative development of more effective practical support for designers and the fostering of attitudes compatible with the co-evolutionary view of sustainable behaviour.