Recognizing
the relationship between today's global environmental
issues and architecture, we, representing the five
following architectural organizations in Japan, hereby
enact the "Architectural Charter for a Global
Environment", and herewith declare to tackle, with
each other, realizing a sustainable cyclic society.
June 1st,
2000
Architectural
Institute of Japan
Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers
Associations
Japan Association of Architectural Firms
Japan Institute of Architects
Building Contractors' Society
The Twentieth
Century saw a tremendous development of a materialized
civilization and rapid urbanization all over the world,
including Japan. These brought us a convenient and
comfortable lifestyle, positioning human beings at the
core of nature. As a result, one such consequence,
unfortunately, has been the emergence of various global
problems, such as global warming, the destruction of the
earth's ecosystem, overuse of natural resources, and the
accumulation of wastes. They are now threatening the
environment of the whole earth, the basic background for
all lives. And it is now obvious that our architectural
activities play considerably important roles in causing
such phenomenas.
In this regard, we now recognize the urgent need to
realize a sustainable society, by preserving the global
environment while maintaining the health and safety of
human beings at the same time. Architecture itself is not
self-defining, and must be viewed within the context of
its region, as well as the global environment. Therefore
we hereby declare, as our basic objective of the 21st
Century, that we will endeavor to create architecture
with the following characteristics, in cooperation with
all the concerned people.
Architecture
shall be planned, designed, built, operated and
maintained as a long-term social property, with a
life that will span multiple generations.
<Longevity>
Architecture
shall constitute an element of a sound social
environment which is in harmony with the natural
environment and which co-exists with the
diversity of life on the Earth. <Symbiosis>
Architecture
shall minimize consumption of energy throughout
its lifetime, and maximize the use of natural and
unused energy sources. <Energy
Conservation>
Architecture
shall incorporate reusable and recyclable
resources and materials of minimum environmental
loads, and minimize consumption of natural
resources throughout its lifetime. <Resource
Conservation and Cyclicity>
Architecture
shall be created as a cultural component,
respecting the local history and identity,
relating to "genius loci", and
succeeding for future generations as a good
incubator. <Succession>
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