How to choose a site for a sustainable project?
photo: Emma Houghton
On 16 November, Martin Dreiseitel, President and CEO of F&R Worldwide, a company that helps deliver cost-effective and sustainable projects, explained the basics of site selection for a sustainable project as part of the third SMARTER4EU training on Sustainable Site Selection and Management.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
By "sustainability" of projects, Martin meant a combination of three aspects: social, economic and environmental. These categories as three pillars should be relied upon at the beginning of the design of your sustainable construction project.
BROWNFIELD VS GREENFIELD
There are two main types of construction sites:
- brownfield (abandoned/non-used land previously used for industrial purposes, which is not used, probably due to pollution);
- greenfield (a land plot that is free from any development and whose soil has not been used before).
Due to the rapid growth of the urban population and the process of urbanisation, the need for land for construction is also growing, so brownfields are an example of sustainable use of resources and therefore part of sustainable development.
In addition, according to the Global Footprint Network, which Martin cited in his talk, people have been living with an "ecological deficit" since 1971. Therefore, the reuse of construction sites is a necessity, not a choice.
The expert also explained that the cost of a greenfield site itself may be higher than a brownfield site, but it will not require restoration costs, unlike an abandoned brownfield site. Therefore, when dealing with abandoned sites, it is necessary to budget for the restoration process. An illustration showing the ratio of the cost of the sites is given below.
"The reclamation and reuse of Brownfield sites is a core component of Sustainable Development. It integrates a wide range of economic, social and environmental objectives. Brownfield redevelopment not only cleans up environmental health hazards and eyesores; it is also a catalyst for community regeneration, particularly when communities are brought into the consultation process of site identification and restoration. Managed effectively as a sustainable redevelopment scheme, Brownfield sites provide affordable housing, create opportunities for employment, promote conservation and wildlife, and offer a shared place for play and enjoyment" – said Martin Dreiseitel.
Later, Martin spoke about the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building certification; EU funding instruments; types of public, public-private and private partnership projects; challenges faced when working with sustainable construction projects; and gave examples of sustainable projects that have been implemented in the United States.
In the end, the speaker recalled the hierarchy of waste management. In sustainable construction projects, it is important to avoid waste generation. For example, brownfield sites often already have a foundation or old concrete that does not have to be removed, sometimes it can simply be recycled for reuse.
waste management pyramid / hierarchy, one of the slides from Martin Dreisaitl's presentation
POLLUTION RISK ASSESSMENT
When we work on a brownfield site, we always need to work with a risk assessment and analyse whether the risk is acceptable or not. To do this, Martin talked about the risk matrix and what paths to take in cases where we cannot completely eliminate risks.
BENEFITS OF BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT:
- Reduce development of greenfields;
- Reduce threat to public health;
- Air and water quality improvements;
- Short- and long-term job creation;
- Local economic growth and investment;
- Surrounding property values increase;
- Revitalization of tax revenue;
- Increase tax base;
- Efficient use of existing infrastructure;
- Renewed use of existing commercial properties;
- Neighborhood revitalization;
- Reduce Urban Sprawl.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE WEBINAR:
- Research the site – know the challenges ahead of time;
- Take the time to do proper site planning & design;
- Design around the most difficult obstacles;
- Get creative & think "Out of the Box";
- Soil challenges can be easily & inexpensively overcome;
- Think "Sustainable" – use what the site is giving to the greatest extent possible.
Presentation from the training is available on the EECU website in the section "Library - Publications - Green building"
Links to the webinar is available in the section "Library - Webinars" or on our YouTube SMARTER4EU green building
Martin Dreiseitel contacts mdreiseitel@fandr.ro +40 731 980929
Next training information:
29.11
10:00-13:00
Topic: n-ZEB Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
Course objective is an introduction into nearly zero energy building principles such as very well insulated building envelope, construction without thermal bridges, air tightness, solar inputs through windows, heat recovery ventilation and use of energy from renewable resources.
Course Leader Horia Petran is the main scientific researcher and coordinator of the Building Knowledge Hub in Romania, within INCD URBAN-INCERC, having a long teaching activity as a guest assistant or associate professor at various technical universities in Bucharest (1997-2012) in the field of energy performance of buildings. Founding member of the Romanian Association of Energy Auditors for Buildings and president of the Cluster Association for the Promotion of Buildings with Energy Consumption Almost Equal to Zero Pro-nZEB. Since 2011, he has continuously contributed to the development of qualifications and training schemes to support the preparation and healthy development of the Romanian construction market for the efficient implementation of the nZEB concept.
Registration to the course is available by this link.