Institutionnal dynamics and barriers to sustainable construction in France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands

The paper discusses institutional dynamics and institutional barriers, looking at the way policy towards sustainable construction has been developed, and at the introduction of environmental standards and guidelines to traditional methods and traditional contracts. The three countries have introduced measures to conserve energy, use more renewables, manage the use of water and reduce air pollution. In France and in Netherlands, the creation of a code in sustainability, supported by huge evolution in heating regulations, involves new competencies and a different management of projects by involving professionals, users and the local politicians differently. In France, policy has focused on specific building projects and on achieving measurable goals over a specific range of criteria and on environmental project management. In the Netherlands, a national tradition of creating consensus in planning policies has been harnessed to the control of natural resources in sustainable urban design and sustainable building design. In Britain, a broader agenda has been pursued, emphasising improvements in the quality of life. However, construction industry tendering methods and forms of contract have made this agenda harder to implement. The dynamics are not sufficient to break down the numerous institutional barriers which contribute to professional identities, to decision making and to the organisation of everyday life. However, much individual and collective learning have been set in train