Realising Sustainable Development: Harmonising People, Planet and Profit in Large-scale Development Projects

Abstract

Although large-scale construction projects can stimulate economic development, they can also cause unanticipated environmental stress. In addition, there are indications that such projects can collide with local cultural structures and create negative social impacts. With a focus on Building with Nature – an initiative towards sustainable hydraulic engineering – this chapter illustrates how nature conservation can be integrated into the daily operation of large-scale construction projects. Also, some insights are presented on the effects of voluntary green behaviour, particularly about challenges and benefits associated with enforcing corporate responsibility. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the role of integrative systematic approaches in analysing the complexity related to multi-stakeholder involvement for the embodiment of SDG14 Life Below Water. Also, some arguments are provided on the value of intergenerational knowledge exchange – linking expertise and experience of industry representatives with innovative concepts from higher education actors – for realising goals linked to sustainable development embracing future generations.

Citation

van Doren, D. (2024), "Realising Sustainable Development: Harmonising People, Planet and Profit in Large-scale Development Projects", Davies, S.J. and van der Heijden, P.R. (Ed.) Higher Education and SDG14: Life Below Water (Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 151-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-250-520241009