The development process at the site or building scale is a multiobjective process requiring the cooperation of many professions and other stakeholders. The addition of multiple sustainability objectives, often seemingly unrelated (economic versus environmental versus social) in a rapidly changing global urban context, further constrains and complicates the process. The MODESTT mapping approach was developed to elucidate the interdependencies, tensions, and trade-offs between different sustainability objectives for a given development, and to make explicit the points at which a single design decision may ‘lock-in’ or ‘lock-out’ various possible outcomes. In this article, we review and analyse existing models of the development process, illustrate the decisions and activities inherent in delivering a single element of a development (illustrated in this paper with the example of a roof); then apply the MODESTT analysis to three sustainability objectives. The analysis makes explicit the critical importance of sequencing of actions and decisions, and interdependencies between specific objectives that lead to tensions and trade-offs between the multiple sustainability objectives. We conclude by making recommendations for the generic application of the MODESTT approach to improve sustainability throughout the site development process. Regardless of the tools that are available in the UK or elsewhere for the development process and for sustainability proxies, it is the timing and sequencing of decisions (when data are collected or the tools are applied) that are important in delivering effective solutions.
BaiX, 2007, “Integrating global environmental concerns into urban management”Journal of Industrial Ecology11(2) 5–29
2.
BoykoC TCooperRDaveyC, 2005. “Sustainability and the urban design process”Proceedings of the ICE Engineering Sustainability158(ES3) 119–125
3.
BoykoCCooperRDaveyC LWootenA B, 2006, “Addressing sustainability early in the urban design process”Management of Environmental Quality17689–706
4.
BramleyGPowerS, 2009, “Urban form and social sustainability: the role of density and housing type”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design3630–48
DairC MWilliamsK, 2006, “Sustainable land reuse: the influence of different stakeholders in achieving sustainable brownfield developments in England”Environment and Planning A381345–1366
Defra, 2006Sustainable Communities: A Shared Agenda, A Share of the Action. A Guide for Local AuthoritiesDepartment for Food, Environment, and Rural Affairs (HMSO, London)
11.
DenhamCWhiteI, 2006, “Difference in urban and rural Britain: socio-demographic characteristics and distribution of the urban and rural populations based on the 1991 Census”, Office of National Statistics Population Trends, http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/population_trends/urbrurdif_pt91.pdf
FolkeCCarpenterSWalkerBSchefferMElmqvistTGundersonLHollingC S, 2004, “Regime shifts, resilience, and biodiversity in ecosystem management”Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics35557–581
17.
GoreTNicholsonD, 1991, “Models of the land development process: a critical review”Environment and Planning A26705–730
18.
GrimmN BFaethS HGolubiewskiN ERedmanC LWuJBaiXBriggsJ M, 2008, “Global change and the ecology of cities”Science319756–760
19.
GuySHenneberryJ, 2002, “Approaching development”, in Development and Developers: Perspectives on Property Eds GuySHenneberryJ (Blackwell, Oxford) pp 1–18
20.
HallidayS, 2007Green Guide to the Architect's Job Book2nd edition (RIBA Publishing, London)
21.
HealeyP, 1991, “Models of the development process: a review”Journal of Property Research8219–238
HuntD V LLombardiD RRogersC D FJeffersonI, 2008, “Application of sustainability indicators in decision-making processes for urban regeneration projects”Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Engineering Sustainability16177–91
24.
HuntD V LJeffersonIGaterellM RRogersC D F, 2010, “Planning for sustainable utility infrastructure”Proceedings of the ICE Urban Design and Planning162 (DP4) 187–202
IEEM, 2006Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United KingdomInstitute of Ecology and Environmental Management, http://www.ieem.net/ecia/
27.
LombardiD RCaserioMHaleJHuntD V LWeingaertnerCRogersC D F, 2008, “Implementing sustainability: lessons learned for urban regeneration”, University of Birmingham Internal publication, http://www.esr.bham.ac.uk/LessonsLearnedFlyer.pdf
28.
LombardiD RPorterE JRogersC D FBarberA R G, 2011, “Conceptualising sustainability in UK urban regeneration: a discussive formation”Urban Studies48273–296
29.
LorimerJ, 2008, “Living roofs and brownfield wildlife: towards a fluid biogeography of UK nature conservation”Environment and Planning A402042–2060
NewtonJGedgeDEarlyPWilsonS, 2007, “Building greener: guidance on the use of green roofs, green walls and complementary features on buildings”, Publication C644, CIRIA, London
32.
ODPM, 2004Consultation Paper on Planning Policy Statement I: Creating Sustainable Communities (Office of Deputy Prime Minister, London)
33.
OwensSCowellR, 2002Land and Limits: Interpreting Sustainability in the Planning Process (Routledge, London)
34.
OwensSPettsJBulkleyH, 2006, “Boundary work: knowledge, policy, and the urban environment”Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy24633–643
35.
PortneyK E, 2003Taking Sustainable Cities Seriously (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA)
36.
RIBA, 2007Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work (RIBA Publishing, London)
37.
RobinsonDEdwardsD, 2009, “Sustainable housing design: measurement, motivation, and management in Sutherland Shire, Sydney, Australia”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design36336–354
38.
RoozenburgN F MCrossN G, 1991, “Models of the design process: integrating across the disciplines”Design Studies12215–220
39.
RunhaarHDriessenP P JSoerL, 2009, “Sustainable urban development and the challenge of policy integration: an assessment of planning tools for integrating spatial and environmental planning in the Netherlands”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design36417–431
UNPD, 2006World Urbanisation Prospects: The 2005 Revision (United Nations Population Division, New York)
42.
WaltonJ SEl-HaramMCastilloN HHornerR M WPriceA D FHardcastleC, 2005, “Integrated assessment of urban sustainability”Proceedings of the ICE Engineering Sustainability15857–65
43.
WardSMemonF AButlerD, 2009, “Harvested rainwater quality—the importance of building design”Water Science and Technology611707–1714
