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II Sustainability and the ABCD Planning Process <br />1 Definition of Sustainability <br />Sustainability was best defined by the U.N.'s Brundtland Commission in 1987 as "meeting the needs <br />of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own <br />needs." This definition creates a broad understanding which has since been refined, notably by Karl - <br />Henrik Robert and his colleagues at The Natural Step, who developed four basic Sustainability <br />Principles. These are: <br />"In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to ysteniatically increasing... <br />1. ...concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth's crust; <br />2. ...concentrations of substances produced by society; <br />3. ...degradation by physical means; <br />and, in that society... <br />4. ...people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet <br />their needs." <br />These principles have become widely used, and have been adopted by the American Planning <br />Association. The principles were employed by the students in the development of this report, and <br />must be employed to help guide the hand of development in order to ensure sustainability. <br />Principle 1 refers to substances we extract from the Earth's crust, like fossil fuels, heavy metals like <br />cadmium and mercury, and radioactive nuclides. The Natural Step calls for a systematic reduction in <br />the use of fossil fuels, and for increased efficiency in the ways we use, reuse, and manage <br />concentrations of other materials. <br />Principle 2 refers to synthetic materials and how they interact with the natural environment, <br />including how much energy it takes to make them and how, or if, they decompose. The Natural Step <br />encourages the use of substances that are naturally occurring or that break down more easily and <br />innocuously in nature. <br />Principle 3 refers to how the actions of humans physically degrade the complex, interrelated web of <br />systems that make up the natural environment. We must practice careful management of <br />ecosystems, and be cautious about modifications including further development that could alter the <br />way these systems function together. <br />Principle 4 refers to the way society functions to help or hinder each person as they struggle to meet <br />their fundamental needs. We must ask ourselves whether we would like to be subjected to the <br />conditions our actions create for others. <br />ain eel 3 <br />� la e <br />