What is sustainability in construction?
Climate change and socioeconomic challenges are driving us to increasingly prioritize environmental protection and our health. In this context, the concept of sustainable development is gaining significant importance.
How should it be understood? It is a forward-looking approach that aims to meet people's current needs while simultaneously ensuring adequate living conditions for future generations. It aims to develop mechanisms and actions that will reconcile:
- society's pursuit of prosperity,
- economic growth,
- ecological awareness and care for the environment.
It is one of the main long-term goals of the European Union related to the broadly understood strategy for environmental protection and the economy.
One manifestation of these efforts is the concept of sustainable construction. This approach encompasses innovative building design. Properties have:
- guarantee a higher standard of living,
- take into account solutions that refer to the idea of environmental protection.
Sustainable development in construction combines modern solutions with environmental awareness to provide residents with the best possible living conditions and contact with nature.
The main assumptions of sustainable construction
Sustainable construction aims to address society's current needs and create a welcoming space for the future. It is an ambitious and visionary architectural and construction strategy that is significantly transforming the real estate market – both primary and secondary. What are its main assumptions?
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Sustainable development in construction assumes that modern construction should use:
- the possibilities of natural resources at every stage of construction – from the design to the moment of handing over the property for occupation and during its operation,
- innovative technologies.
Why? Thanks to unconventional technical solutions, it's possible to maximize the use of renewable energy sources. This allows us to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Reducing the consumption of non-renewable raw materials
Non-renewable energy sources are those that, once used, do not replenish themselves quickly. These include raw materials such as:
- energy, i.e. e.g. brown coal, natural gas and crude oil;
- construction materials, e.g. sand, gravel and plaster.
If these raw materials continue to be used in construction work, it could lead to environmental pollution and accelerate climate change.
Therefore, in accordance with the concept of sustainable construction, projects should:
- use as many natural materials as possible and renewable energy sources, e.g. wind, sun, biomass;
- minimize the use of non-renewable raw materials;
- use building materials that can be reused and recycled.
This approach will reduce waste and maximize the use of natural energy resources.
Improving the standard and comfort of living
An innovative approach to sustainable construction can significantly improve the quality and standard of living of residents. Therefore, buildings use environmentally friendly materials and incorporate innovative technological solutions (e.g., photovoltaic panels) that ensure the maintenance of:
- optimal room temperature,
- high air quality.
This translates into improved well-being and health of apartment and house owners.
It's also worth noting that maintaining human contact with nature is crucial for sustainable development in construction. For this reason, architects incorporate green spaces and recreational areas into their designs.
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Sustainable construction and real estate on the secondary market
Sustainable development in construction is a modern approach to creating new buildings, but also to modernizing older ones .
Thanks to innovative solutions, such as thermal insulation of secondary market buildings, it is possible to reduce heat loss and increase the energy efficiency of secondary market properties.
Proper building insulation combined with efficient energy management increases the value of such properties. They become an attractive investment that can bring tangible benefits to investors.
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