The United Nations has written a set of "principles for sustainable and inclusive urban design and architecture" called the San Marino Declaration, writes the design magazine Dezeen. Set to be ratified in the republic of San Marino in October, it will be launched by Foster + Partners founder, architect Norman Foster, who told Dezeen that the declaration is “the equivalent of the oath that physicians in ancient Greece undertook to uphold ethical standards”.
Written by the UN’s Bureau of the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, the declaration will ask architects and other built environment professionals to agree to adhere to a set of principles “in support of sustainable, safe, healthy, socially inclusive, climate-neutral and circular homes, urban infrastructure and cities", according to the article. Signatories would agree to design buildings and cities "in a way that limits the use of energy, uses only sustainable energy sources, reuses rainwater and limits the use of other natural resources”.
The UN’s principles for sustainable design and architecture include cultural identity, values and heritage; resource efficiency and use of recycled materials; safety and health; respect for nature; climate neutrality; smart technology and communications solutions; resilience, durability, functionality and foresight with regard to natural disasters; affordability and accessibility; inter-disciplinary cooperation and networking; and engagement with local communities.
