Sustainable property development is something that more and more developers are paying attention to. They are incentivized to do so by government policies and by consumer demand.
However, many people don’t know what characterizes sustainable property development. They only know that it is good for the environment and will hopefully bring us towards a greener future, but are unclear about how it accomplishes that.
Sustainable property development incorporates a variety of techniques and methods, but here are some of the key features that set it apart from regular development.
Lower Resource Use
One of the most important features of sustainable property development is lower resource intensiveness. Regular developments use lots of natural resources, from lumber to water, for their projects. These resources are obtained from damaging extractive industries such as logging. What’s worse, they are often discarded as byproducts in inefficient construction projects.
The Australian government has certificate plans and guidelines that give sustainable developers ways to prove they used resources efficiently. In New South Wales, building sustainability index (BASIX) reports track a development’s greenhouse gas emissions and water usage. In an area that struggles with water scarcity, water usage is an important part of sustainability.
While all property development has to use some resources to make construction possible, sustainable development uses those resources efficiently.
Sustainable Construction Materials
Besides using fewer resources, sustainable property developments make sure to source their materials from ethical sources.
This is important because the construction industry relies on some of the most extractive industries in Australia such as logging. Even if a development uses sustainable practices on-site, it will have a large environmental footprint if the materials it uses are sourced unethically.
One way to make construction more sustainable is to use recycled materials. Materials such as lumber or plastic are often discarded from other projects but are still usable. Companies process these materials and make them usable for new development.
Another option is to look into more sustainable alternatives to popular building materials, such as bamboo or cork. The materials used will depend on the needs of each development, but the good news is that there are sustainable building materials out there for all preferences.
Greater Energy Efficiency
Another important feature of sustainable property development is energy efficiency. This is one of the most important features of sustainable homes for consumers, who according to economic studies are willing to pay more for an energy-efficient home.
There are a few ways that homes can be energy efficient. Better insulation, superior materials for windows and doors, and thermal mapping to avoid hot or cool spots are ways to make a home energy efficient. Designs of interior spaces and even appliance choices also factor into energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency ensures that a home is sustainable even after construction is over. Over time, residents will use less electricity, especially when it comes to heating and cooling their homes.
A Step Forward with Sustainable Property Development
Sustainable property development is the best way to meet the needs of economic growth and environmental protection.
By using fewer resources, sourcing materials ethically, and incorporating energy efficiency design, sustainable property developments can help communities work towards a greener future.
