Stewardship of the Built Environment
Sustainability, Preservation, and Reuse
When we think of green building, we tend to picture newconstruction. But Robert A. Young argues that the greenest building isoften the one that has already been built. In Stewardship of theBuilt Environment, he shows how rehabilitating and reusingexisting structures holds untapped potential for achieving sustainablecommunities. Students and professionals alike will discover themultifaceted benefits of reuse.
Young begins by describing how historic preservation in the UnitedStates, often overlooked because of the predominant focus on newconstruction, is actually an important sustainable design strategy. Hethen examines the social, environmental, and economic benefits ofpreservation—from the societal value of reusing existingbuildings to financial incentives available for rehabilitation. Youngconcludes with insights into the future of reusing buildings as asustainability strategy. He also provides several informativeappendices, including a glossary of key terms and acronyms andrecommendations for further reading.
Readers will become familiar with essential terminology;sustainability and historic preservation metrics; government oversightprocesses; and opportunities for smart growth afforded byrehabilitation. This knowledge is key to preserving the past whilebuilding a sustainable future.
