Following from the introductory article published
in the previous edition of the magazine, we are
excited to demonstrate how existing buildings can
be transformed by applying a range of globally
agreed collective goals, known as the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), a universal international
consensus on sustainable development.
Through the application of a holistic approach to
sustainability we explore the potential of sustainable
refurbishment and conversion of existing
buildings with emphasis upon environmental
impact savings, health improvements and focus
upon the well-being and satisfaction of the residents
living in the residential complex at Ocean
Heights.
A major step forward for urban planning in a
global context, adopted in 2015, SDGs provide the
current international framework for addressing
global sustainability, through a framework of 17
goals, 169 targets and numerous indicators. The
SDGs, otherwise known as the global goals, are a
universal call to action to end poverty, protect the
planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and
prosperity. SDGs, which include three dimensions,
namely, economic, environmental and social need
to satisfy economic development without impairing
the benefits for the next generation.
Sustainability cannot be achieved without
addressing existing buildings, as the impact of
new buildings, even if all of them are sustainable,
will be relatively minimal for years to come
due to the composition of old and new stock and
the fact that the existing buildings will continue
comprising the majority of the total building stock,
hence remaining responsible for the majority of
greenhouse gas emissions from the respective
sector(s).
REFURBISHMENT VS NEW BUILD
It is critical to adapt existing properties in order
to reduce the environmental impacts of domestic
buildings, yet it is a common perception that existing
buildings are energy inefficient and that the
environmental cost of demolition and rebuilding
of what is perceived as a more energy efficient
building and its operation, far outweighs the benefits
of reuse. In reality, the benefits of choosing
refurbishment over redevelopment has proven,
more frequently than not, to reduce environmental
impacts of buildings, as demolition and construction
can cause a major environmental impact in
contrast to buildings being retrofitted, which offer
the opportunity to achieve significant carbon and
energy savings, among many other benefits.
Refurbishment of infill sites and existing infrastructure
offers multitude of significant social,
economic and environmental benefits from reductions
in landfill disposal, increased reuse of materials,
reduction in transportation requirements
and costs, local economic development, retention
of community infrastructure, or neighbourhood
renewal and management, whilst being socially
more acceptable and less costly whilst creating
far lower environmental impact.
Contrary to replacement, retrofitting/refurbishment
allows for the modification or alteration
of an existing structure, facility or process, thus
it may involve the addition, deletion, rearrangement,
or replacement of one or more of its parts.
Refurbishment can therefore be defined as fundamental
remodelling or adaptation of existing elements
of the building envelope and renewal of key
building services, which will materially impact on
the performance of the building.
BARRIERS
Financial, legislative and town planning barriers
to refurbishment combined with uncertainties
regrettably prevail presenting various
obstacles for the successful implementation of
technologies that are innovative, ecological and
capable of reducing operational costs with regulations,
building codes and standards often biased
towards new build, thus not sufficiently encouraging
refurbishment of the existing building stock.
In order to encourage and facilitate an uptake
in reuse of buildings, the aforementioned barriers
can be overcome through adequate support, such
as provision of financial and technical resources,
with the Government playing a major role in promotion,
application and encouraging refurbishment
as alternatives to demolition and new build
(where appropriate) through vigorous guidance,
policy encouragement and generally offering a
variety of incentives beyond ones currently available
in order to intensify efforts towards secu-
OTWO 12 / JULY 2020 37