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| Expo Real to focus on sustainability in times of crisis The crisis on the financial markets and the economic downturn this has generated may have drawn attention away from the subject of climate change and sustainability for the moment, but our responsibility and the responsibility of the property sector to take a sustainable approach remains the same. Expo Real 2009, Europe´s largest commercial property fair, presents a special focus on this whole area on Tuesday, 6 October under the title of 'Sustainability in times of crisis – Top or bottom of the list of priorities?' It is no coincidence that we are seeing more and more 'green buildings', in particular among the more prestigious projects. And this is happening even in what are difficult times for developers and investors. A survey by CoreNet Global & Jones Lang LaSalle 2008 of 400 senior managers in property companies and the property departments of large concerns revealed that 85 percent of those surveyed were convinced that within the next one to two years at the latest, sustainable property will be highly relevant within the business and will play a part in economic success. 'Sustainability and users: Between ecology and economy', Tuesday, 06.10.2009. Again and again, however, we hear the argument that the users of sustainable properties do not want to pay the higher rent that has to be charged if the investor is to recoup the 11 percent or so higher development costs involved in a green building. When the global economy picks up again, and energy prices start to rise strongly, causing a corresponding rise in operating costs, sustainable buildings with their much lower energy consumption levels will become attractive again to users. In addition a growing environmental awareness in society will bring image benefits to companies that espouse sustainable philosophies and have their offices in sustainable buildings. Green buildings also give their users a better standard of comfort, as they feel better to work in. This in turn increases productivity and employee turnover is lower. As such, investors who opt now in favour of sustainable buildings will benefit long-term from an increase in the market value of their properties, from higher rental income and from lower vacancy rates. They will also profit from more satisfied tenants who have little reason to move. 'Is the user hindering progress in sustainability? A look at commercial and residential development', Tuesday, 06.10.2009. Evidence that green buildings really do qualify as sustainable is already found in the different certification systems in operation today. The forerunners were the British with BREEAM (British Building Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), upon which the later American LEED system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed. Both systems are sought after outside their home countries, too. In parallel, many countries have now developed their own national certification systems – in Germany, for example, the DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) issues the 'Deutsche Gütesiegel Nachhaltiges Bauen'. 'Certifications on test, ', Tuesday, 06.10.2009. The most sustainable form of settlement is a dense urban area with a well developed public transport network. But the sustainability of a city is measured on more than just the sum of sustainable buildings within it. Economic and social considerations also play a role. A sustainable city must also be one in which the inhabitants can find jobs with a future, and which is attractive enough to young, well educated people. Part of this attractiveness is good social integration with little conflict. A city with problem areas, so-called 'no-go areas', on the one hand, and gated communities for the rich on the other will in the long term lose out in the competition with other cities. For this reason urban planning aims to develop socially well mixed districts and upgrade neglected districts through regeneration measures, to make them more attractive to live in. 'Sustainability in urban development projects', Tuesday, 06.10.2009. Expo Real, the 12th International Commercial Property Exposition, is being held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 5 to 7 October 2009. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Construction News :: home page |