What is sustainability in construction?
Climate change and socio-economic challenges mean that we pay increasing attention to protecting the environment and our health. In this context, the concept of sustainable development is becoming increasingly important.
How should it be understood? It is a forward-looking way of acting, which is to meet the current needs of people, while at the same time ensuring appropriate living conditions for future generations. It aims to develop mechanisms and actions that will allow for the reconciliation of:
- 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 environmental and economic protection strategy.
One of the manifestations of these activities is the concept of sustainable construction. This approach, which includes an innovative way of designing buildings. Properties have:
- guarantee higher living comfort,
- take into account solutions that refer to the idea of environmental protection.
Sustainable development in construction combines modern solutions with ecological awareness to provide residents with the best possible living conditions and contact with nature.
The main assumptions of sustainable construction
Sustainable construction is supposed to respond to the current needs of society and create a friendly space for the future. It is an ambitious and visionary architectural and construction strategy that is changing a lot in the real estate market – primary and secondary. And 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 transferring the property for occupation and during its operation,
- innovative technologies.
Why? Well, thanks to unconventional technical solutions, you can make the most of renewable energy sources. This allows you 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 renew themselves in a short time. These include, among others, raw materials:
- energy, i.e. brown coal, natural gas and crude oil;
- construction, 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 and renewable energy sources as possible, 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 the amount of waste and maximize the use of natural energy resources.
Improving the standard and comfort of life
The innovative approach of sustainable construction can significantly improve the quality and standard of living of residents. Therefore, environmentally friendly materials are used in buildings and innovative technological solutions (e.g. photovoltaic panels) are used, which allow for the maintenance of:
- optimal room temperature,
- high air quality.
This translates into improved well-being and health of apartment and house owners.
It is also worth noting that maintaining contact between humans and nature is very important for sustainable development in construction. For this reason, architects include green spaces and places for relaxation in 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 the modernization of older ones .
Thanks to innovative solutions, e.g. 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 skillful use of energy increases the value of such properties. They become an attractive investment that can bring tangible benefits to investors.
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