Green industrial hub of tomorrow
ECO World Development Group Bhd does not let its young status in the property market define its ability.
Instead, it has forged ahead to build Eco Business Park 1 — Malaysia's only eco-industrial park to date — and thereby pioneering the revolution of the country's industrial development landscape.
Recognising EcoWorld's foresight and visionary effort, the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) has named Eco Business Park 1 as World Gold winner in the Industrial Category of the FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards 2018.
EcoWorld president and chief executive officer Dato Chang Khim Wah describes the project with a gross development value of RM3.79bil as an industrial hub of tomorrow.
Chang added that Eco Business Park 1 was born out of anticipation of the global trend towards green developments.
“At face value, it is an industrial development situated on a 247.6ha site in Iskandar Malaysia. However, there is much more than meets the eye," he said.
Eco Business Park 1, said Chang, is a self-contained integrated eco-industrial park offering all the essential features to cater to most business types within a clean, green and sustainable setting.
“The development is designed to enable businesses, be they manufacturing, warehousing, retail, logistics or information technology, to reduce their costs and increase competitiveness and productivity while improving sustainability and environmental performance.
“Apart from using an innovative flexi-space concept, the entire development is geared towards being environment-friendly with a number of passive green features to help achieve low-carbon footprints.
“For example, the buildings have a north-south orientation, high ceilings, cross-ventilation, natural lighting, rainwater harvesting systems as well as green lungs to reduce heat,” he added.
In terms of infrastructure, Chang said the development was equipped with a centralised lorry depot, workers' dormitories, event area, outdoor gym and park, jogging track, cycling path and ample greenery.
All these in addition to being equipped with superior security features such as an advanced visitor management system that is complemented by 24-hour monitoring with a top-of-the-line CCTV network, well-trained security guards, and on and off-site auxiliary police.
“Looking ahead, allowances for the long-term viability of our customers were also made at the planning stages itself.
“A good example is the business incubators housed at the sales gallery and event area at the entrance of the project designed to provide owners with space to conduct and promote their businesses while their factories are still under construction.
“They can use these incubators for free to conduct meetings with the authorities, suppliers and recruitment agencies before they move into their factories.
“Similarly, they can use the event area to hold large-scale promotions,” he said.
In the long term, the business incubators and event area will serve as a centre for sustainability as they would be used for eco-industrial networking to organise by-product exchanges as well as to share logistics, human resource recruitment, marketing efforts and more, Chang added.
“With its unique positioning as the only eco-industrial park in Malaysia and proximity to Iskandar Malaysia, Eco Business Park 1 has already drawn commitments from a number of industries, in particular those with stringent environmental requirements or green corporate policies.
“I think its immediate success has also made an impression on other developers as they have taken note of the passive design features incorporated into the architecture such as natural ventilation, multiple shade features and LED lighting, which reduces the estimated energy needs of each factory by over 50%," he said.
The road towards success was, however, not without challenges, said Chang.
“In order to protect the environment, earthworks were carried out in phases.
“But to keep with this sustainable practice, our cost increased by 5% to 10% whereas the higher percentage of greens also decreases the efficiency of land.
“And so, to juggle the balance between profit and sustainable practices, we resorted to building according to the original topography and contours of the site, which allowed us to minimise cutting and filling.
“Even the buildings themselves were designed to complement the existing landscape.”
Chang said EcoWorld would continue to maintain a relationship with the community at Eco Business Park 1 even after it has fulfilled its commitment to build the full range of facilities and services expected of a green industrial park.
“EcoWorld Business Community is about establishing collaborative partnerships to achieve more efficient resource use.
“At Eco Business Park 1, this practice is facilitated not just through green and business policies but also via fortnightly meetings and workshops held at the business incubators, where the community can discuss strategies including green technology and business practices,” he assured.
Log on to www.ecoworld.my to find out more.