The growth for the green infrastructure industry in Australia needs the backing of a strong economic benefit for commercial building owners. As buildings age, long term tenants start to look elsewhere for new office space especially if they want to keep their staff loyal and content.... leaving vacant offices and reducing rental income for the owner. A retrofit with green walls has long term economic benefits, that is, it increases building value & rental income ... read on to see why.
Australasia News
The unprecedented rate of urbanization across the world has led to increased demand for good, affordable housing. A recent survey revealed that of 200 cities polled around the globe, 90% were considered unaffordable when applying the widely-used standard of average house prices being more than three-times median income.
Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (or HDB) builds homes and transforms towns to create a quality living environment for all. Currently, more than 80% of Singaporeans live in over 1 million apartments in 23 towns across the island.
The National Trades Union Congress (or NTUC) is a network of professional associations and as childcare centre operators, the vision for NTUC’s My First Skool is to be a thought and practice leader.
The Australian Federal Government should take note of the World Green Building Council’s mission of all buildings operating at net zero carbon by 2050. The government should hold a national forum with leading innovators to tackle the 40% GHG emmissions that are currently generated by the Built Environment globally.
Australian Technology Park – which has recently had its name changed to South Eveleigh – was bought by Mirvac from the NSW Government in 2015. It is adding retail spaces and office blocks, and there are plans to redevelop the heritage-listed Locomotive Workshop.
Designs have been released for what is set to be Australia’s tallest building, pending approval by government bodies. The design is composed of two towers with twisting glass facades, and vertical and rooftop gardens.
Greenery and diverse plant life will take over the roof of 1 Treasury Place to create an urban oasis, in a joint $2.5 million Melbourne City Council and Victorian Government initiative (not-for-profit Hort Innovation, a horticulture research and development company, has also contributed funding).
One Central Park in Sydney has been lauded for its design, which heavily incorporates vegetation.
Humans, on average, spend the vast majority of their time indoors. Yet scientific studies on human health conclude that spending time in and around nature, or even just looking at natural elements, can have wide-ranging benefits. The real estate industry is closing the gap between these conflicting concepts by bringing nature indoors with biophilic building design.
LESSONS FOR AUSTRALIAN MAYORS:
Image: Hudson River developments NYC Courtesy: Related-Oxford
The New York mayor celebrated Earth Day by announcing a proposal that he claims would bar construction of many of the glass-and-steel towers that have joined the city skyline in recent years. The plan, which requires legislation in the City Council, is part of what he termed his own Green New Deal.