A Study of Measurable Parameters of Sustainability Practices inRural Built Environment: An Indian Perspective

The built environment is a reflection of the culture and civilisation of the area and provides opportunities for sustainable development. The people’s practices, the government policies and the historical/natural context of the area all together affect the form of the built environment in that area. The villages represent the traditional way of building and settlement planning. The traditional wisdom of these practices that contributes towards sustainable development is well recognised under various parameters like climate responsiveness, sustainable building materials, occupant’s comfort, sociocultural character and so on. In spite of existence of the knowledge, good practices and government policies, the question arises that whether the present practices are contributing towards sustainability or not! This article attempts to list the parameters that can measure the sustainability aspects of the present practices of the built environment. The multiple criteria of the built environment contributing towards sustainable development have been weighed by analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The current research provides a measuring tool to assess people’s awareness and practices regarding the sustainability of rural areas. If applied to the group of several villages in the region, this tool will help to identify the need for research and further development to make the areas sustainable.