Constructions et mutations de l’antiracisme en France

Cet article propose une analyse des transformations du champ antiraciste en France depuis le milieu des années 1980, en mettant l’accent sur la position de l’association SOS-Racisme dans l’évolution d’un antiracisme « moral » vers la lutte contre la discrimination « raciale ». D’un côté, l’émergence d’une conception « morale » de l’antiracisme est située dans le contexte du déplacement du tiers-mondisme par l’idéologie humanitaire ; de l’autre, l’apparition de la thématique de « lutte contre les discriminations » est replacée dans un mouvement plus général tendant à la constitution de sujets sociaux et politiques en « victimes ». Dans les deux cas, il s’agit non seulement d’une construction désocialisée de l’individu (« pote », « victime ») mais aussi d’une dépolitisation de l’antiracisme (à travers l’occultation du racisme d’État notamment). Cette analyse conduit, enfin, à souligner le rôle important que semblent jouer des associations antiracistes françaises comme SOS-Racisme dans le cadre de la globalisation contemporaine.This article presents an analysis of changes in the field of anti-racism in France from the mid‑1980s, focusing on the involvement of the association SOS-Racisme in the movement from a « moral » anti-racism to action against « racial » discrimination. On the one hand, the emergence of a « moral » conception of anti-racism is situated in the context of the displacement of Third‑Worldism by the ideology of humanitarianism; on the other, the appearance of the theme of action against discrimination is viewed as part of a more general trend towards the constitution of social and political subjects as « victims ». What is involved, in both cases, is not only a de‑socialised construction of the individual (« pal », « victim ») but also a depoliticisation of anti-racism (through down‑playing the importance of state racism, in particular). This analysis leads, finally, to emphasising the important role which French anti-racist associations such as SOS-Racisme seem to play in contemporary processes of globalisation

Exploring the business case for more adaptable buildings: lessons from case studies

This paper explores the business case for designing more adaptable buildings, an issue that has, for the most part, been overlooked in the literature. It reviews some of the existing literature on adaptability and discusses the drivers for and barriers to designing buildings that are more adaptable. In doing so, it draws upon lessons from the developing market for ‘greener’ or more sustainable buildings. The costs and benefits of designing more adaptable buildings are explored through a workshop with industry stakeholders and illustrated with evidence from case studies. The findings of this research highlight the circumstances that would need to change, in terms of industry mindsets and market conditions, in order for adaptable buildings to become more widespread

Using DSM to redefine buildings for adaptability

As a society we suffer from the inclination to ignore the causes of problems and instead deal with the effects; this disposition to find a ‘remedy’ rather than a prevention bolsters our tendency to resist change. The current challenge which besieges the resilient construction industry, sustainability, finds a remedy on a project basis by lionizing buildings rather than addressing the actual haphazard construction process which continues to endure. We have instilled over time a bespoke industry of onsite construction requiring an array of sub-industries to deliver a skilled workforce and various raw materials at a particular site creating a unique prototype every time. Several influential, government-back reports have argued for more joined-up production, exploiting the underlying common processes [1]. One initiative held by the Adaptablefutures group looks to exploit the initial design chain of events to imbue adaptability into the building’s lifecycle. This group is working with GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), a multi-national pharmaceutical company, to address their need to cut the construction time of their facilities from 24 months to 13 weeks. This project, Newways, looks to redefine the overall method of how buildings are assembled by standardizing all elements and creating a catalogue from which to design. Figure 1 shows the proposed system of parts (900), components (90), and assemblies (30) initially to be used for three types of their facilities (laboratories, primary and secondary production). The GSK facilities are needed in a very tight sequential timeline, and the use of standard design and construction methods creates an extensive period of overlap, creating a high level of risk due to the uncertainties of starting construction prior to knowing exactly what is needed. Shorter construction time means less risk and more control enabling the deferment of critical investment decisions, lower capital costs, and the ability to reconfigure facilities quickly during design

A paradigm shift towards Whole Life Analysis in adaptable buildings

Economic evaluation is a significant consideration in the initiation of a facility. This evaluation process should take into account all costs, benefits and performance associated with a facility in its through life cycle. There are a number of techniques available for economic evaluation, however, the practical application is poor in most of the techniques. Whole Life Analysis (WLA) is identified as a comprehensive approach for economic evaluation. At present there is a growing trend towards designing buildings to be more adaptable within the UK property market. Hence, economic evaluation of adaptable buildings needs to be undertaken as early as possible for appropriate long term decisions. This paper examines the paradigm shift required for a WLA approach for adaptable buildings while identifying the benefits and barriers of its practical application. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to analyse how WLA could be used as a decision support technique for adaptable buildings. Literature reveals WLA as one of the best decision support techniques for use in the building industry, and it seems logical to adopt it for adaptable buildings. However, detailed economic evaluation remains an untapped area within adaptable buildings. Being involved in the ‘Adaptable Futures’ research project at Loughborough University, the authors have blended their thoughts with available literature and attempt to identify how important in undertaking WLA is for an adaptable facility while identifying the barriers of current applications. Stakeholder input is crucial towards the betterment of WLA particularly concerning its understanding and application in adaptable buildings

Towards economic sustainability through adaptable buildings

The existing building stock in most countries does not meet the parameters of economic, social and environmental sustainability. Physical, functional, technological, economical, social and legal obsolescence are the principal factors driving the decommissioning, refurbishment, alteration and/or adaptation of a building. In the UK the Government promotes optimum use of the existing building stock through mixed use in urban centers and encourages conversion of redundant office and retail space into leisure, service and/or residential uses rather than demolition and renewal. There is therefore a growing need to design new buildings that are adaptable and flexible over their life span whilst at the same time improving user satisfaction. A constraint to the implementation of a policy of life span adaptability is the difficulty of understanding the economic considerations over long time scales. This paper investigates the issues surrounding the economics of the life span of adaptable buildings, and establishes a conceptual framework for their economic sustainability. The investigation is based on a case study of how the uses and function of the built environment and its supporting infrastructure have changed over a period of 100 years undertaken within a semi-rural Borough in England, UK. This case study includes a trend analysis identifying the life spans (of buildings), the evolving planning policies and associated social and cultural issues. A conceptual framework is developed and the economic impacts of the changes are evaluated through Whole Life Analysis. The validity and reliability of proposed framework is yet to be tested

Towards economic sustainability through adaptable buildings

The existing building stock in most countries does not meet the parameters of economic, social and environmental sustainability. Physical, functional, technological, economical, social and legal obsolescence are the principal factors driving the decommissioning, refurbishment, alteration and/or adaptation of a building. In the UK the Government promotes optimum use of the existing building stock through mixed use in urban centers and encourages conversion of redundant office and retail space into leisure, service and/or residential uses rather than demolition and renewal. There is therefore a growing need to design new buildings that are adaptable and flexible over their life span whilst at the same time improving user satisfaction. A constraint to the implementation of a policy of life span adaptability is the difficulty of understanding the economic considerations over long time scales. This paper investigates the issues surrounding the economics of the life span of adaptable buildings, and establishes a conceptual framework for their economic sustainability. The investigation is based on a case study of how the uses and function of the built environment and its supporting infrastructure have changed over a period of 100 years undertaken within a semi-rural Borough in England, UK. This case study includes a trend analysis identifying the life spans (of buildings), the evolving planning policies and associated social and cultural issues. A conceptual framework is developed and the economic impacts of the changes are evaluated through Whole Life Analysis. The validity and reliability of proposed framework is yet to be tested

What is meant by adaptability in buildings?

Purpose Despite being a common term in the literature, there is little agreement about what the word ‘adaptability’ means in the context of the built environment and very little evidence regarding practitioners’ understanding of adaptability. This paper therefore examines what practitioners in the building industry mean when they talk about ‘adaptability’. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative approach, involving 82 unstructured face-to-face interviews with practitioners from a range of professional disciplines in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, facilities managers, property agents and planners. The interview transcripts were coded inductively in order to identify themes in the qualitative data. Findings The interview data revealed a wide range of perspectives on adaptability, particularly regarding terminology, the meanings practitioners associate with adaptability and the way in which these meanings are communicated to others in the industry. The applied meaning of adaptability varied depending on context. Practical implications Conflicting language, and different interpretations of adaptability, is a potential barrier to the development of adaptable buildings. A clearer articulation of the meaning of adaptability (particularly by clients) during briefing and design could give rise to a more appropriate level of adaptability in the built environment. Originality/value This study has addressed a gap in the existing literature, by foregrounding the voices of industry practitioners and exploring their (sometimes very different) interpretations of adaptability in buildings