Survey reveals differing views on challenges facing sustainable cities

A significant majority of consumers and business decision makers are increasingly eager and willing to invest in making their buildings and homes more energy efficient. Such are the findings of a new survey conducted by online research organization OnePoll, on behalf of Autodesk, Inc.

The study solicited and analyzed the opinions of more than 2,000 European residents in the UK, France, Germany and Italy. Approximately 25% of the respondents were business owners, directors or senior decision makers. Business leaders showed the most willingness to “go green,” with 86% indicating an interest in investing to make their organisations more energy efficient; 70% of consumer respondents indicated that they were prepared to invest in greener homes.

“The energy cost of buildings, including homes and businesses, has a huge impact on the sustainability of cities,” says Pete Baxter, Autodesk Vice President of Architecture, Engineering and Construction for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “As cities seek new ways to reduce and manage environmental impact, we are encouraged to see that businesses and individual consumers are willing to take steps to address the issue.”

Challenges of the Sustainable City
The survey revealed differing views regarding the biggest challenges facing sustainable cities, with 30% of all respondents identifying global trends such as climate change; 25% choosing aging populations, 24% selecting growing populations and 21% identifying shortages of water and other key resources.

Respondents were equally split over solutions. Buying locally to support local businesses and farmers was the most popular option, supported by 37% of the sample, followed by increasing energy efficiency (29%) and planting trees in the local area (19%).

The “buy locally” option showed particularly strong support in the UK and was referenced by 45% of respondents. In Italy, with that country’s strong history in renewable technologies, increasing energy efficiency proved a more compelling option, and was supported by 40%.

“European consumers are becoming more aware of the sustainability challenges facing their cities, but remain divided over the key issues and unsure about how to resolve them,” adds Baxter. “The survey findings show an urgent need for greater education, together with an awareness of the steps individuals and communities across Europe can take to drive the development of sustainable cities.”

London market (photography courtesy Naughty Architect)