by Alison Groves
Sustainability Consultant, WSP, Building Services, Africa
[email protected]
part of 20 to 30 years to achieve. However,
we are already seeing a breakaway from
the traditional one-dimensional planning
of urban and city centres, aimed at future
proofing these developments by making
them innovatively smart, ergonomic and
sustainable. The need for rapid urbanisation
to meet the demands of the growing
population, coupled with space limitations
in standing urban and city centres and the
resulting strain on existing infrastructure,
is driving a movement towards new
urbanism, or mixed use developments as
they are affectionately known.
As a global design movement; new
urbanism promotes the restoration of
compact, walkable, mixed-use urban
developments that bring residential neigh-
bourhoods, retail and commercial space
back together in a healthy and sustainable
city-type environment. While the ultimate
intention of the movement is to redefine
the approach to the urban fabric and public
space, opportunity exists to achieve this
outcome within private developments.
In South Africa - particularly in
Gauteng - there are already several
successful examples of mixed-use deve-
lopments, including Menlyn Maine,
Steyn City and the Waterfall development.
The social agenda is maturing at a
rapid pace and cookie-cutter solutions of
the past decade have made way for more
established and in-depth engagement.
More and more owners and developers
are realising that by going green,
long-term operating costs are lowered
through reduced energy consumption,
reduced emissions, improved water
conser vation and management, if
the correct structures and ratings are
implemented. As such, there will be a
continued upward trajectory as adapting
to an eco-building environment impacts
on a positive economic and social
outcome – optimally balancing equally
social equity, economic prosperity and
environmental stewardship.
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