Month: June 2019

We are now in a period where we have both a growing population and a growing change in our climate, so therefore to meet this dual threat we are increasingly relying on this new form of development called, ‘Green Real Estate Development’ to help solve these problems! Since approximately 40% of GHG emissions are attributed to the design, construction, and operation of building, coupled with the fact that the resources to build new building are being removed quicker than they can be replace, the need becomes even clearer.                                                        With such a wide verity of innovative technologies available to ‘Architects and designers’ residents too must begin to lean forward and start to envision the type of sustainable changes; they would like to see in their ‘homes’ and ‘neighborhood.

Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take n idea that seems abstract – sustainable development-and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people. – Kofi Annan, United Nations, Secretary-General 1997-2006

Sustainable development is about meeting human needs and improving their quality of life by minimizing the negative impact on the environment, for now and into the future. So, now, today, addressing the issues of upgrading the life quality and, providing a healthy, socio-economic environment, must be at the ‘top’ of all our agenda.

Green Real Estate Development

When we speak of “Green development” it is the development of Real Estate that reflects the social, economic and environmental impacts of development. Green development manifests itself in various forms, however it is generally based on solution multipliers; features of a project that provide additional benefits, which ultimately reduce the projects’ environmental impacts.

• Environmental responsiveness respects the intrinsic value of nature
• Resource efficiency refers to the use of fewer resources to conserve energy and the environment
• Social or Community sensitivity recognizes the unique cultural values on each and considers them in the real estate development.

Discussions to have!

Today, more than ever the effects of climate change are realigning and changing the strategies on how businesses get done, all over the world. Whether its Floods in China, Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or wildfires in California or seeing Hoover Dam’s Lake Mead water level at its lowest point on record, we are seeing the effects of Climate Change. There is no ‘single’ reason and there is no “single’ fix, and we all must play a role in this recovery. The United Nations released a report, which 234 of the world’s leading scientists, concluded that the climate crisis is a “code Red” for humanity.”

So, what is a ‘Green Roof’ and what makes it a part of a ‘sustainable plan”? Green roofs are a living system or vegetated surface that covers and provides the structural framework and mechanical strength for your home. Green roofs also play an additional role in sustainability by helping to moderate other environmental problems that exist in our urban areas. Green roofing allows homeowners to drastically reduce carbon emissions, manage stormwater, reduce energy use, provide habitat for biodiversity, mitigate the effects of ‘urban heat islands’ and provide both roof longevity and aesthetics.

“Instead of controlling the environment for the benefit of the population, perhaps we should control the population to ensure the survival of our environment” – Daivd Attenborough

Green roofs can be ‘extensive, semi-intensive or intensive. Your design will depend on its site, climatic conditions, structural capacity, intended usage of the structure it will cover. Extensive, being shallower, weigh less, and requiring less maintenance. And intensive being thicker, supporting a wider plant assortment and requiring more maintenance.

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs also provide excellent ‘acoustics’, controlling and reducing sound reflection. Green roofs absorb shortwave radiation and cooling the atmosphere. In addition:

• Green roofs help trap heavy metal found in city dust.
• Green roofs provide a natural air filtration to help clean the air.
• Green roofs plants have photosynthesis the consumes CO2 emissions and release oxygen.
• Green roofs provide shading, insulation, evapotranspiration and reduce urban heat island

The Roof

The Roof is a vital portion of the structures we live and work in. Having a better understanding of its role functions, systems and materials will prove valuable and useful in reaching your sustainability goals.  Early man had to search and use all different kinds of roof materials that were usually found in the naturally occurring regions of the world they were located. Not everyone lived in ‘caves’ or were ‘sleeping out in the open’, so they had to shelter themselves from the elements just as we do now and it was the roof, that was at the ‘top’ of the list! Visit https:www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-gree-roofs-reduce-heat-islands and contact us here at 1^st POSS for more information.

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