Entrepreneurship and innovation sustainable built environment: a research agenda

What is new in “green built environment”? In considering this question, it is necessary to explore two others: why is it necessary to seek to attain a green built environment? What has been achieved in the efforts towards attaining it? What are the persisting challenges and problems? Thus, what else needs to be done? Again, in considering the question of what else needs to be done, it is necessary to investigate the full range of sustainability in the built environment – i.e., to go beyond ‘green’. Such an investigation shows that whereas some headway has been made in formulating policies, strategies, regulations and actions in industry to enhance environmental performance in the built environment, much more needs to be done under that pillar of sustainable development. Moreover, the other elements of sustainability: economic, social and governance, have not been given much attention. Focus has also been put on ‘building’ at the expense of other elements of the built environment. A more appropriate conceptualisation of the subject is explored. After discussing key features of a sustainable built environment, entrepreneurship is considered. “Eco innovation” in building is next discussed. The definition of innovation is analysed, again, focusing on the current understanding. Innovation and entrepreneurship as they relate to a sustainable built environment is considered. The link between innovation and entrepreneurship is subsequently analysed. The relevance of these two processes to the process of planning, design, construction and management of the built environment today is discussed. The main theme and each of the 23 sub-themes of the conference are then briefly considered individually. In each case, the current state of knowledge on, and special relevance of, the subject is discussed, followed by consideration of implications for further research. Some other points which are relevant to a sustainable built environment are also highlighted. It is found that there is scope for more work under each of the sub-themes, and that, together, the points highlighted constitute a research agenda for innovation and entrepreneurship in the built environment.