As green building consultant one of the most fundamental flaws in the discussion I hear is that green building green building costs more and is less profitable. Our goal is to help design projects that are profitable and green. Yes, you can be profitable and green at the same time, they are from each other.
That said, still bewildered a question what exactly is the developer's planning and sustainable development? What is sustainable development? Why areWe are concerned about issues such as climate change, pollution and energy shortage? Why are all talking about sustainable development? It is a sustainable development council just the latest slogan to throw around? It 'easy to say in fashion, eco-savvy and shows that planting trees and switching to compact fluorescent lamps?
Al Gore says: "There is a growing feeling that we get to the ends of the earth's ability to maintain our civilization." This is the widely held andAnswering all these questions is an obvious "no." Earth's climate is affected negatively and accelerate economic development is undoubtedly so little for future generations. The threat to our environment is real, clear and almost here. How can we limit the damage? Leave a healthier world for future generations? The answer lies in sustainable design and development.
How can we define it? The U.S. Department of Energy, sustainable development is defined as - "SustainableThe development is a strategy by which communities seeking economic development strategies that also for the local environment and quality of life. "
Christine Ervin, Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy defines sustainable development as "sustainable development enables economic progress and environmental quality of compatible lenses. Community to find strategies for sustainable development to save money taxpayers, improve profitsLocal businesses, and make communities more livable. "
Data such as Thomas Jefferson in 1789, the following statement, he could not have been talking about sustainable development, as the term used today, but there was a clear idea of what the future might look like if mankind refused can be careful with the gifts of nature ", then I say the earth belongs to each generation ... during his time comes, in its entirety and of itself, no generation can contract debts can be paid at higherthe course of its existence. "
Robert Gilaman, President of Context defines sustainability as "Sustainability refers to the ability of a society, ecosystem, works or those running system into the indefinite future, continue, without being forced to refuse because of the exhaustion of key resources .. .. "
The answer must begin at the "micro level" with us, with the spoils of nature gradually urbanized. The solution of the problem, the way we started'Build', 'create' renewal 'and our cities and homes. Green initiatives are the development of first-level solutions for sustainable development.
Solutions are needed for sustainable development, and participated in all-pervading, in the long-term policy, governments and societies of people. But before speaking of the benefits of sustainable development to begin, we look beyond, "How can we define sustainable development?"
The definitions are many, but mostuniversally accepted definition of sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." On a lighter note, anonymous, it is necessary to achieve sustainable development "Growth without cheating our children."
The definition of sustainable development can vary between different regions, cultures and countries. At the end of the day, but it is a process of global participation at the individual level requires. IndividualContribution is important because it forms the basis of the "three pillars of sustainable development" forms - economic, environmental and social.
The pillar "social" of the human interacts with the other two - environment and economy and in this sense is bringing the concept of sustainable development.
Since we use the environment for social and economic, it was decided we should, if the current trade-off between "environment" and "economic" is beneficial for us in the long run. Uscan continue to use the wood to build our houses and destroy all our forests and healthier alternatives to grow the economy and our planet and be safe for future generations are able to help decide to build their houses. In this sense, "the man" the focal point is made throughout the image. So, by definition, you and I, every home - are builders or developers of proprietary fundamental principles of sustainable development - people, planet and profit.
SoWhat steps can be taken as a builder or homeowner to a real estate development? Much can be done. Change a bulb, CFLs can not be the complete solution, but there are a first step. As a homeowner, you can search for topics related to sustainable development and scheduled to examine the different choices you can make a home more green. Informative articles on sustainable development abound on the Web and gives it to learn about the production of more environmentally sound choices canfor the new house plan, build, or re-modeling work you have in mind in your holiday home.
However, a greater responsibility on the shoulders of real estate development community, because if we build out "green" anything, we need to achieve greater impact. Contrary to popular belief, the role of private sector developers in real estate development, keys and much more profitable. Building 'green' is useful and profitable. In addition, real estate SustainableDevelopment has the thumbs up by the government -.. "It will be green in a not too distant future, all development developers, builders and buyers discover that the green has not only strengthened their portfolios, but also their health and their quality of life, the developers, this handle first will have an advantage in a massive, characterized the market ... "- William S. Becker, Director, Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development, U.S. Department of Energy.
The benefits of sustainable developmentDevelopment of a real estate developer or a builder is different and give a financial sense. Take the case of Wal-Mart, whose efforts to achieve environmental benefits such as reduced energy consumption and significantly lower water bills. Charles Zimmerman, Wal-Mart vice president of prototype and new format development, he says, have managed this by using "refrigerators that 50% produce less heat and no mercury, low heat lighting, bathrooms with low flow interior to do andwaterless urinals, water bills cut in half. Pay "Other initiatives such as Wal-Mart" light "for itself in less than two years.
If builders and developers of similar systems are in the planning stages of a project, a sustainable residential complex a reality. Construction and architecture, to reduce homeowners monthly expenditure of households would be supported, in itself, a reason strong enough for a manufacturer of green products byQuestion.
The advantages and improve profitability through a real estate development and reach in the blink of an eye, can become the annual standard. Brenna Walraven says President -. Elect of the National Building Owners and Managers Association and national director of property management for San Antonio-based USAA Reality Co. "Within five years will be sustainable construction the norm, in part because of the cost of the product down and the rest retailCommercial real estate market continues to be greener ... Keeps costs low, is a good deal, and, most importantly, is there to do the right thing. "
Sustainable real estate development has always been hampered by the perception of increased costs to the developer. However, if the sustainable development measures will be included in the planning, costs can be completely removed, if not reduced significantly. For example, combined heat and powerGeneration, the total capital cost of community-based systems such as heating. Other low cost measures such as toilets / dual-and energy-efficient devices and appliances are the same or similar, in many cases the most popular standard design.
Buildings use 35% of national energy per year. There are more than 76 million residential customers and 5 million commercial buildings in the U.S. today and that number is expected to increase by another 38 million by 2010. You canI imagine that the burden on energy resources and the consequent increase in the cost of the purchasing power of families at this time? With the development of sustainable human settlement measures such as natural light and solar water heating system would not only reduce stress on energy resources, but also to provide a developer of residential customers less expensive option in the long term.
Another way that developers and builders can benefit from sustainable development, through the use of more fuel efficient, sustainable andenvironmentally friendly alternatives for building and construction materials. They can reduce the use of recycled content building materials, construction costs thereby increasing profits. There are direct financial benefits here and the cost to be minimized, as explained above.
Innovation always pays dividends and builders and developers that sustainable development can take advantage of these alternatives, collects the profits. It has never been a better time to take a sustainable development and stillable to make a profit, than it is today. What we sow today will reap tomorrow, and so the case for sustainable development for real estate developers and builders.
