Dezvoltarea ecologica

Poate un proiect de extindere in constructia de locuinte sa tina cont de mediul inconjurator si problemele sociale, si sa fie inca profitabil? Da, sustine Institutul Rocky Mountain, in raportul sau intitulat "Facand bine prin lucruri bune: beneficiile dezvoltarii durabile". Raportul IRM contrazice cateva din conceptiile gresite larg raspandite printre producatori cu privire la viabilitatea financiara a implementarii dezvoltarii durabile in dezvoltarea proprietatii imobiliare.

Multi producatori se tem ca urmand un program de dezvoltare durabila vor amana proiectele planificate si vor creste costurile... Totusi, realitatea arata ca proiectele de dezvoltare durabila bine executate au rezultate foarte bune din punct de vedere financiar. De fapt, chiar multi dintre cei mai mari dezvoltatori sunt calauziti de idealuri si idei nobile din punct de vedere al mediului, dar se implica in constructiile ecologice si datorita economiilor realizate. Intr-adevar, este posibil sa fie bine atat din punct de vedere financiar cat si al prezervarii mediului. De exemplu, pot fi reduse costurile proiectelor, cumparatorii si chiriasii vor cheltui mai putin in aceste cazuri, iar investitorii pot castiga mult dintr-o astfel de afacere.

Some of the general benefits of green development, then, are reduced capital costs, reduced operating costs, health and productivity benefits, higher perceived value and quality, staying ahead of regulations, as the satisfaction of doing the right thing.

In order for a housing development to have a sustainable approach, whether a planned development or traditional neighborhood development (TND) or New Urbanist project, the developer/planner must consider land use, site planning, and building design in a sustainable manner, and consider land-use issues as paramount in the overall planning process. For this reason, it is difficult to find examples of subdivisions that are sustainable. If the developer of a subdivision or housing development wishes to incorporate sustainability into the project design, he or she most likely will consider some form of planned community, or form of development which considers the land-use aspect in a more environmentally sound manner.

Subdivisions are the development form most closely associated with sprawl, a negative land-use pattern that consumes inordinate amounts of land and resources and is now becoming recognized as a major threat to quality of life in America and other developed countries.

Green Development Benefits & Basic Elements

Developers often equate green development with reduced profits and delayed schedules. On the contrary, however, green development projects often "perform extremely well financially," according to the Rocky Mountain Institute, and often command a price premium in the marketplace. There are many additional benefits of building green, as well, including lower operating costs for residents, increased comfort, higher perceived value, reduced sprawl, and protection of the natural environment.

The elements of green development fall into three basic categories: environmental responsiveness, resource efficiency, and community and cultural sensitivity. Thus, green development projects consider siting and land-use issues; conserve energy, water, and other precious resources; provide a healthy and comfortable indoor space through the use of reused and recycled products, as well as energy- and resource-efficient products; blend in with the natural environment and protect open space; increase a sense of community; and address cultural issues.