4-STAR SUSTAINABLE PRECINCTS
CERTIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS
Sandton Gate’s award of a 4-star certification
under the Green Star SA Sustainable
Precincts v1.1 tool is a first for a South
African mixed-use development. Sandton
Gate has taken sustainability beyond its
boundaries and incorporated green living
principles into the surrounding community.
A Precinct-wide Vision
From the outset, the developers committed
to meet the site-wide requirements under
the Sustainable Precincts tool, which was
developed to influence and incentivise
developers to consider good design,
community and environmental outcomes.
Credits within the tool – under the
categories Governance, Liveability,
Economic Prosperity and Environment –
are intended to assist in site selection,
site analysis and site layout; and
include benchmarks for engaging with
stakeholders in site planning.
Users Guide
As part of the precinct’s ongoing sustainable
management initiatives, a
Community Users’ Guide was developed
to give occupants the tools and knowledge
to efficiently operate all service and
management systems. The Guide
describes all green initiatives that have
been implemented with the intention of
enhancing environmental performance
and minimising environmental impact
and harm during Sandton Gate’s
operational lifespan.
Focus on Non-Motorised Transport
In addition to the rehabilitation of
Bordeaux Riverside Park, the community
management and development initiatives
include investment into cycle paths, art
installations, LED night-time lighting, and
a community food garden. An extensive
network of walkways, cycle tracks and
traffic-calming devices supports Non-
Motorised Transport. The Precinct
embraces the concept of ‘smart streets’ -
streets that are designed for everyone to
use. This means they are designed with
all types of users in mind, to create safe
and easy access for everyone, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists
and public transport users of all ages
and abilities.
In keeping with the focus on
sustainability and wellbeing, strategies
have been put in place to promote and
support a healthy, active lifestyle in and
around the project site. Footpaths are
prioritised throughout the project street
hierarchy, and dedicated pedestrian
sidewalks are provided on both sides of
all roads throughout the precinct. Green
buffer zones act as a protection layer from
motorised circulation, and a continuous
pedestrian walkway has been prioritised
on the podium level which connects all the
commercial developments.
Sustainable Practice Incentives
Sandton Gate is a people-centred
development and users will be given the
opportunity to benefit from living and
working in the most sustainable ways
possible. The precinct offers numerous
incentives for sustainable living,
which include:
• a carpooling scheme: to save on
travelling costs, the Sandton Gate app
will give all users of the precinct the
opportunity to either get a lift from or
give a lift to a fellow precinct occupant,
with the option of sharing travelling costs
between passengers.
• bus shelters with solar powered charging
facilities, offering users free charging for
their devices while on the move.
• a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM)
which accepts recyclable materials in
exchange for credits or tokens from the
machine to be utilised at pre-arranged
venues for discounts on goods. The RVM
accepts only certain products such as
cans, bottles and cartons. The initiative
encourages recycling and rewards users
of the precinct for doing the right thing.
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