Tool developed to aid sustainability

Pilot project to assess how it will all work

THE GREEN Building Council South Africa recently launched the locally applicable version of the Green Star – Communities rating tool. The tool is a framework that will drive the development of more sustainable neighbourhoods and precincts.

Green Star – Communities, developed by the Green Building Council Australia, evaluates the sustainability attributes of the planning, design and construction of large-scale development projects, on a precinct, neighbourhood, and/or community scale.

The tool helps governments, development project teams, contractors and other interested parties aiming to deliver large-scale sustainable developments to:

• Provide diverse, affordable, inclusive, well- connected and healthy places to live, work and play.

• Protect, maintain and restore the natural environment by reducing the ecological footprint of developements.

• Receive recognition for leadership and commitment to sustainability.

• Achieve value for money through demonstrated whole-of-life cost savings.

• Encourage opportunities for business diversity, efficiency, innovation and economic development.

The tool is being launched in South Africa through a stakeholder engagement process that includes a number of pilot neighbourhood-level projects, which will test and be certified by the SA Green Building Council.

The process is sponsored by the US Agency for International Development ( USAid), through its South Africa Low Emissions Development Programme, and comprises a technical advisory panel, including more than 30 industry experts.

The panel includes private and public sector stakeholders – such as the SA Local Government Association, the cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg – as well as academics.

The process will conclude with the release of a local context report.

Green Building Council of SA chief executive Brian Wilkinson says green building and sustainability in the built environment are about more than just buildings.

“Also important are the spaces, connections and infrastructure between the buildings, a precinct, a neighbourhood, or a city.

“At this scale you can truly see the real impact of sustainability and make the connection between various daily activities between home, work, gym, school and entertainment.

“The council has accepted 14 projects to take part in the pilot scheme.

“These are vital early adopters to support the long- term success and applicability of this Green Star tool in the African context, because they will provide essential feedback, allowing the tool to be adjusted to the local context.”

Of the 14, eight have already committed to certification using this tool, targeting either a four, five or six star rating from the Green Building Council. The eight projects already targeting certification are: Phase 13 Sunningdale, Cape Town, developed by Garden Cities. Blue Rock, Somerset West, developed by Swisatec.

Nature’s Path Lifestyle Village, Keurbooms, Plettenberg Bay, developed by PMG Africa.

Menlyn Maine, Tshwane, developed by Menlyn Maine Hold- ings. Braamfontein West, Joburg, led by EcoCentric. Kgoro Precinct, Joburg, developed by Cedar Park Properties. Oxford Parks, Joburg, developed by Intaprop.

Sandton Gate, Joburg, developed by a joint venture between Abland and Tiber.

The Green Building Council will review the "Communities" name of the tool in the African context, to make it more identifiable with neighbourhood/precinct-scale sustainable development projects in Africa, and will announce this in the next couple of months.