Property developer and investment and project management specialist Amdec is evaluating its properties and future developments to comply with the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA’s) green building principles.

“We are making a shift in the development of our properties to apply green building principles where practicable. “The company is also evaluating all its properties in terms of ‘green standards’,” says Amdec’s Cape regional director, Magnus McDowall.

He adds that the construction and development industry has been seen as a threat to environmental sustainability, but that it is becoming aware of this, with established developers adopt- ing a more responsible approach.

The establishment of the GBCSA, by the South African Property Owners’ Association, was aimed at increasing awareness among developers with regard to how they plan, design and construct buildings, neighbourhoods and cities, as they contribute towards the carbon footprint.

Mixed-use developments, such as the landmarked Melrose Arch, result in less energy use from vehi- cle trip generation. They also leverages off existing bulk infrastruc- ture and reduce urban sprawl.

The company has employed consultants who will assist in the transformation towards the implementation of the green principles in more or less 20 upcoming development projects and in its portfolio of R4,5-billion worth of properties.

McDowall says, “We will be taking on infill development, densification and also developing more mixed-use properties, which will all encourage urban life regeneration situated close to existing resources and public transport.

“It is the responsibility of the property industry to implement green building technologies in certain projects.”

Technologies that can be implemented to assist in green building include low-flow taps and showers, water recycling, efficient building insulation, solar heating panels and low-energy lights. Alternative energy sources and efficient precinctwide chilled water plants can be used on larger develop- ments.

Amdec says it is currently investi- gating the possibility of large-scale alternative energy technologies for Melrose Arch.

McDowall says that, by incorporating green building technologies into its developments, the company’s capital costs are expected to increase by between 2,5% and 10%.

“Depending on the technologies we use, and on the type of project, it is expected that we can reduce operating expenses. “It has been proved in both Europe and Australia, where these technologies are increasingly being used. The capital costs can also be recouped over time,” says McDowall.

He concludes that investors and property owners should proactively take action towards adopting green building in their developments, as it will become more prevalent over time, as inter- national government departments and companies are already adopting it in their policies and standards.