Looking back in the rearview mirror, 2021 has been a phenomenal teacher and we as real estate developers can benefit greatly by taking a lesson on sustainable infrastructure seriously.
Prioritising environment-friendly development and sustainable construction practices can ensure integration of clean solutions, conservation-focused technology, renewable energy adoption, and impact-conscious installations across the entirety of our cities.
Active conservation through greener construction practices should be a prime focus area for developers in the new year to help ensure the survival of our cities in the future. A low carbon and green economy can be encouraged as well as sustained through well though-out sustainable architecture. Here are some areas that deserve every developer’s special attention in 2022:
The incorporation of Air Quality Index in the Dubai Building Code shows even the goverening bodies are monitoring the impacts of a Good AQI.
A healthy AQI is an important aspect of a home, there is an increase in demand for Homes and properties in areas with better AQI. People are beginning to see the harmful effects of a polluted environment and developing an inclination towards living in a healthier environment.
Developers need to adopt solutions that help ensure decent air quality in their buildings. Integrating air purifying systems, better ventilation, and green spaces are some ways to improve air quality in buildings on a continuous basis. Our future developments will maintain AQI as a key focal point with some next generation technologies.
Reducing the collective carbon footprint actively: Decarbonization in the real estate industry can not only help combat global environmental challenges, but it can also contribute considerably towards cost savings, social equity, personal health and community well-being.
Developers need to focus on defining long-term decarbonization targets and actively work towards meeting them. The integration of climate and environmental impact considerations into strategic and operational business plans can genuinely help real estate developers drive carbon footprint reduction on a community and eventually country level.
We are working on reducing the carbon footprint as well as capturing the carbon, generated in our developments and further utilising it in organic farming.
Minimizing the depletion of natural resources: Developers can benefit from optmizing the use of renewable energy and capitalize the incentives that can help curtail the continuous utilization of fossil-based energy.
Through careful planning, developers can work towards trying to make needs such as heating, refrigeration, and lighting be met by renewable energy. Renewable energy can really help in fulfilling building functions and thereby helping save our planet’s natural resources for our future generations.
We conduct research and work in various aspects of development, right from concepts of HVAC technology to reduce the cost impact economically and health-wise on any of our residents.
As per studies, CO2 emissions are highly dependent on consumptions levels of resources in households, optimizing homes through smart automation would subsequently reduce CO2 emissions. As per latest studies a well optimized smart home could result in up to 12.78% reduction in original emissions and increase energy efficiency.
Creating green and healthy living spaces: People are beginning to care more and more about where they live and work, and their work-life balance – they want to be in spaces that are conducive to their overall well-being.
The current generation of buyers prioritise well-lit, airy, green, clean, and environment-friendly spaces to invest in, whether it is for their workforce, their tenants, or themselves. Developers need to factor in these needs while designing properties in the year to come.
Working towards the UAE’s Net Zero goal: The UAE Net-Zero by 2050 strategic nation-wide initiative is aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, to make the Emirates the first MENA nation to do so. It also aligns with the Paris Agreement that is urging countries to control the rise in global temperature from exceeding an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius, as compared to pre-industrial levels.
Developers can play a critical role in helping achieve the net-zero goal by integrating sustainability in the built environment. We will play our part to contribute to this target set by the great leadership of this nation by developing practices and policies within our developments to reduce the energy combustion within our properties.