Week 9: Sustainability in Real Estate Development

 This week, I focused on what I could do to develop knowledge in sustainability in real estate development. With the world being more environmentally friendly now and planning controls increasing, sustainable design is not an option anymore—it is the standard. I examined BREEAM guidance and the Future Homes Standard, and this set out how residential schemes are now designed to be low carbon-emitting, highly energy efficient, and to accommodate long-term environmental goals.


Transferring this to our Charterhouse Field design, I began considering more seriously design choices—such as the use of sustainable materials, the fitting of solar panels, increased insulation, and the use of green communal space that benefits biodiversity. I also considered accessibility by foot and close proximity to public transport to restrict car use.


This week enlightened me to the fact that sustainability is not an exercise in "tick boxes" but can generate long-term value in a property, appeal to green-minded buyers or occupiers, and enhance planning success rates. It has left me further committed to weaving these principles into any further development proposals that I am involved with, both academically and in practice.

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