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Sustainability by design: kenosis as a framework for environmental, cultural, and social dialogue
Citation
Lindstrom, Randall, Sustainability by design: kenosis as a framework for environmental, cultural, and social dialogue, The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice, 9, (1) pp. 1-14. ISSN 2325-1166 (2013) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Common Ground, Randall Lindstrom
Official URL: http://ijspp.cgpublisher.com/
Abstract
More than a decade ago, Simon Guy and Graham Farmer named the environment as "contested terrain,"
categorised the debated logics, acknowledged the legitimacy of interpretive differences, and called for a framework by
which a plurality of voices might be heard, and a transformational process – toward "a very different dialogue about
sustainable architecture" – might be effected. The sustainability conversation continues, as do the debates and
differences, raising questions as to how "very different" the dialogue has become, and whether there remains a vacancy
of communication and understanding that another framework might help to fill. This paper turns to the Christian
theology of kenosis, and parallel concepts in other world religions, in order to reveal and posit a cross-cultural construct
that, arguably, offers the potential for transformation of inter-logic engagement, as Guy and Farmer espoused. Kenosis
is explored, however, not as a religious proposal or universal prescription, but as a flexible tool for encouraging
hermeneutic discourse in a pluralistic society, and for fostering attitudinal change amongst designers, ‘development
actors’, and all who participate in, or are affected by, the design of the built environment and its promise of
sustainability. The work of Manuel Doncel in the field of kenotic creation and cosmobioevolution, coupled with Steve
Odin’s interfaith exploration of kenosis, provides an informative point of origin. Thereafter, the potential of kenosis is
examined against the writings of philosopher Walter Benjamin and architect Paolo Soleri, each providing extraordinary
critiques of the modern metropolis and strong views of the relationship between humankind and nature, but from
significantly diverse perspectives. The juxtaposition of their work, and its extension to current and future contexts, more
fully opens up the global potential of a kenotic approach to environmental, cultural and social sustainability by design.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | kenosis, sustainability, culture |
Research Division: | Built Environment and Design |
Research Group: | Other built environment and design |
Research Field: | Other built environment and design not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Culture and Society |
Objective Group: | Other culture and society |
Objective Field: | Other culture and society not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Lindstrom, Randall (Dr Randall Lindstrom) |
ID Code: | 89015 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Deposited By: | Architecture |
Deposited On: | 2014-02-24 |
Last Modified: | 2015-01-12 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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