Social dimensions in the sustainability debate: the impact of social behaviour in choosing sustainable practices in daily life

• Published in: International journal of urban sustainable development 2015-01, Vol.7 (1), p.61-71
• Main Authors: Goel, Sachin, Sivam, Alpana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: living practices; social practice theory; spatial planning; sustainable human behaviour; sustainable urban development; unsustainable human behaviour
• ISSN: 1946-3138; 1946-3146
• DOI: 10.1080/19463138.2014.953537

Sustainable development is the trade-offs among social, economic and ecological objectives and is required to maintain sustainability of overall system. The sustainability of the built environment is partially based on individual behaviour. It has been argued that to improve sustainability, the changes should be brought in the individual behaviour patterns, replacing the unsustainable living patterns with the sustainable ones. The unsustainable behaviour patterns are 'embedded' and 'deep-rooted' in the normal living behaviour of individuals that it is not so easy to change them only by creating sustainable policies. There are several reasons why the unsustainable lifestyle patterns are easily adapted, and restrict change. This paper will use insights and case study examples from social practice theory in understanding those reasons. The aim of this paper is to elaborate how sustainable living practices can be brought about at community level for the individuals to easily adapt as part of their daily lives.