Sustainability in the existing building stock - the role of sustainable facilities management

This paper explores the role of Facilities Management in the relation to sustainable development in the existing building stock. Facilities management is a concept that is still developing, the management of buildings are becoming more and more professional. Many recognize today that facilities management is a concept relevant to others than large companies. Managing the flows of energy and other resources is a part of facilities management, and an increased professionalism could lead to the reduction of the use of energy and water and the generation of waste and wastewater. This is not, however, facilities managements most important contribution to sustainable development in the built environment. Space management is an essential tool in facilities management – and it could be considered a powerful tool in sustainable development, remembering that the building not being built is perhaps the most sustainable building. The question is if it sensible to talk about a ‘sustainable building’ without taking the activities in the building into account? In many contexts, maintenance of the existing building stock is not a hot political topic. Facilities management can however be a vehicle for more political attention to the large maintenance problem. Especially when facilities management is in focus of new public private partnerships or other new ways of collaboration