Is de-carbonising our cities just about the best technology and funding. Absolutely not. People matter. If we don't get local communities on board, then at best our projects get delayed and at worst abandoned. Much of what I read on making our sustainable cities is about either the right technology (insulation, heat pumps, building materials, demolition vs refurbishment etc) or the financial implications. But much less is written on the social factors that help get these projects off the ground faster (or even at all). As a finance person I have seen numerous 'good' projects that have either taken way too long to get built, or that never happened at all. And this was not because they were bad projects. It was about social licence. We have talked a fair bit about social licence before in the context of mining and heavy industry. But the same issues also apply in different ways to cities and buildings. And this is why a recent report entitled Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment from the Institute of Human Rights and Business caught our eye. They make the point that "while some decarbonisation initiatives are reducing inequalities, others are leaving communities behind, generating greenlash - pushback to green initiatives - which costs valuable time, and money, and hinders the transition." And rather than talking about this in the abstract, they used a lot of city case studies. I picked Melbourne from the examples in the report, as it's a city I know well. While Australia is an affluent country, its cities share some common ground with other middle income cities. Housing is in short supply, it's often unaffordable, and it's generally not very energy or resource efficient. The residential sector is responsible for 30% of CO2 emissions in the State of Victoria (Melbourne is the state capital). Outside the city centre, 46.5% of residents have to drive to work. What were some of their practical recommendations (there is a longer list in the report). The first will be familiar - refurbishing for energy efficiency. Why is this a challenge? It's simple - cost and disruption. One solution that the report highlights is the Retain, Repair, Reinvest (RRR) Framework. Put simply it's about keeping communities in their neighbourhoods (Retain), refurbish existing buildings rather than demolish and rebuild (Repair), and then put the savings made back into improving comfort and upgrading public housing (Reinvest). And then there is re-skilling and re-training. Good well paid jobs for the local community. These projects are going to need a lot more construction workers, so lets tap into new groups for this. Lets start with the easy one, getting women into the industry. And they propose lots of practical actions. You can read the full blog for free at The Sustainable Investor (just follow the links in my profile). #sustainablefinance #strategy #cities
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Bringing people back to the city starts with improving its buildings and, more specifically, making them as sustainable as possible. Read more: https://hubs.li/Q02YcXFV0 Post written by Mahesh Ramanujam, Forbes Councils Member.
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A leading property advisory firm’s research forecasts positive investment prospects in Glasgow city centre, with 89% of investors anticipating opportunities to grow over the next year. Property companies are particularly optimistic, whereas investment funds remain cautious. Glasgow is attractive due to its favourable yield gap compared to other cities, and robust property market fundamentals including limited high-quality student housing, strong retail, and scarce Grade A office space. Investment preference is strong for the Living and Industrial sectors driven by favourable supply-demand dynamics and expected rental growth. The Retail and Office sectors also attract attention, with specific locations being key to investor interest. However, confidence in public sector support is low, largely due to concerns over rent control legislation affecting urban revitalisation efforts. Despite this, the public sector's commitment is evident with the Glasgow City Region deal promising £1.1 billion for infrastructure and regeneration projects. Industry experts highlight Glasgow's robust infrastructure and economic conditions as key to its appeal. Challenges remain, such as high construction costs and financing barriers, but the city's resilience and strategic focus on sustainable developments show promise for future growth. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial to unlocking Glasgow’s potential, particularly in developing housing and office spaces in the city centre. #Glasgow #propertynews #Ukpropertynews
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💡 Great insight from Celia Harrison, Investment Director in our Property team, discussing the benefits of #CoLiving with New Private Markets. As a way to tackle two of our most pressing challenges – climate change and the housing crisis – we believe co-living represents a highly attractive long-term growth opportunity. In the UK, for example, we urgently need to build more quality homes – but our existing #housing stock already accounts for about one-sixth of all #carbonemissions. Co-living developments can help address this through retrofitting, smart design, on-site renewables and shared resources – while also reducing social isolation and loneliness. For more about the growth of this market (and some of our own projects), check out Celia’s article here: https://lnkd.in/ekKWGuey PEI | #realestate #property #sustainability #coliving
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Scouting cities the world over and cherry-picking the best bits! Community and collaboration are often sighted as big bringers of opportunity on the road to #NetZero. Businesses build #SustainableSupplyChains together and the full force of industry is brought to bare when contractors crack on together, not in spite of each other. It makes sense then that the cities already doing #Decarbonisation would have a wealth of wisdom we'd do well to share in. Centre for Cities sizes up what efficient initiatives and innate advantages of dense population centres should be a focus on the UK's #NetZeroJourney. Highlighting that urban #Emissions are on average 41% lower per capita, and falling faster, than those of rural communities they say: “This is because the density of cities supports lower carbon lifestyles. For example, the higher density of cities makes lower carbon transport choices like public and active travel more convenient. Density also changes the nature of what we build, with smaller houses using less energy than detached homes.”. They note that this will need to be the case moving forward on our #NetZeroTransition, with urban areas optimising opportunities to work theses advantages: “Nationally, this means recognising the importance of cities for net zero and supporting them to maximise their emissions reductions potential. Planning policy that encourages densification is a key tool to help cities capitalise on the benefits of their higher density for decarbonisation.... The Government should also expand and deepen devolution to empower cities to deliver net zero initiatives. Spatial planning powers and the ability to create a city-wide transport authority will help metro mayors and city leaders bring together housing and transport.... Fiscal devolution – more powers to raise and retain revenue locally – will help cities to invest in and cross-subsidise net zero measures.” They list the three biggest takeaways from any green going city as: - How We Build - How We Move - How We Power Our Cities With strategies for all varying and many fairly viable there's ample room to cater to the needs of citizens in these proud population centres while lifting living standards too. It's a case of cooperative creativity at all levels, nothing new for Net Zero and far from an insurmountable summit. But, it may take a brainstorm and more than a few #SMEs with a hankering for change. Is your business trying to take #ClimateAction? Build resilience and revenue while surging towards targets? Why not talk to us at GreenBridge Associates! Our expert consultations, cutting-edge #CarbonAccounting technology provided by notch and ever-expanding network of like-minded organisations are all here to help your business connect to it's Net Zero goals, meaningfully. Full Article: https://lnkd.in/eWj7qcEs #ClimateChange #GreenCities #WalkableCities #Renewables #Policy
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Building Sustainable Societies: A Closer Look at the UK Housing Crisis 🏗️ The Challenge of Sustainable Development in Property The UK housing crisis extends beyond the simple shortage of homes. It encapsulates a complex challenge of creating sustainable societies where environmental care, community needs, and economic viability intersect. As I venture into the realm of property development under the guidance of a seasoned property guru, these elements have become profoundly significant in understanding and addressing the crisis. 🔍 Navigating the Maze of Property Development Our journey begins with the harsh reality of land acquisition. The limited availability of suitable land not only spikes competition but also prices, making it difficult for new developers to contribute to the housing solution. Each plot of land acquired is a battlefield of high bids and strategic maneuvers, underscored by an urgent need to build not just more homes, but the right kind of homes. 🌱 A Vision for Sustainable Communities Sustainable development is pivotal. Each project we undertake is a commitment to not merely erect buildings, but to foster communities that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable. This means integrating green technologies, using sustainable materials, and ensuring that new developments are accessible to all segments of society. It’s about shaping neighborhoods that promote renewable energy use, waste reduction, and a smaller carbon footprint. Navigating the labyrinth of planning permissions, we advocate for policies that support sustainable practices. We engage with local communities to ensure that developments are not only accepted but welcomed as enhancements to their environment. This involves detailed consultations and collaborations, where community insights directly influence project designs, ensuring that developments serve their needs and aspirations. The education I've received from my property guru has been invaluable, emphasizing that the challenge of the housing crisis is intertwined with the broader objective of building sustainable societies. As I learn and grow in this field, my resolve strengthens to pursue developments that contribute positively to the fabric of the community and the environment. 🔗 Join the Conversation What are your thoughts on integrating sustainability into property development? How can we, as professionals, drive change that not only addresses the housing shortage but also enhances the quality of life for future generations? Share your insights, and let's collaborate on solutions that make a difference. 👉 Feel free to share this post to spread the word about sustainable development in housing! Let’s work together to build a better future. #HousingCrisis #SustainableDevelopment #PropertyDevelopment #UKHousing #RealEstate #CommunityBuilding #GreenTech
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Lead Director at Panoramic Associates | Providing Built Environment talent across The Public Sector, Local Government, NHS and Private Consultancy sectors
🚧🏡 Challenges in Sustainable Retrofit for UK Social Housing** 🏡🚧 The UK's social housing sector faces several challenges on the path to sustainability: 🌱 Funding: High upfront costs and limited budgets make financing retrofitting projects difficult. 🏗️ Skills Gap: There's a shortage of skilled professionals to execute high-quality retrofits. Investment in training is essential. 🔧 Tenant Engagement: Effective communication and involvement of residents are crucial for project success. 📈 Policy Hurdles: Clear, supportive policies are needed to streamline retrofitting efforts. 🌍 Heritage Preservation: Balancing energy efficiency with the preservation of older buildings' historical value is complex. 🚀 Innovation: Embracing new technologies can enhance retrofit efficiency and effectiveness. Overcoming these challenges requires collaboration, innovation, and investment. With a team specializing in this area, Panoramic Associates can support by connecting you with the skilled professionals and networks needed to drive these initiatives forward. Together, we can create a sustainable future for social housing in the UK. 🌟 #Sustainability #SocialHousing #Retrofit #GreenBuilding #UKHousing #ClimateAction #EnergyEfficiency #PanoramicAssociates
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What does the future of Australian cities look like? Australia’s new National Urban Policy is set to reshape our cities with a strong focus on cheaper housing and better transport systems. This ambitious plan aims to create cities that are not only liveable but also sustainable, equitable, and resilient. Discover how this policy is addressing urban challenges through collaboration across all levels of government and paving the way for a smarter, greener future. Read more about this transformative initiative here: https://lnkd.in/g9Bz_Sbn #UrbanPolicy #Australia #Sustainability #AffordableHousing #PublicTransport #FuturePlanning #PlannedResources
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As the CEO of the Global Network for Zero, the world’s premiere net zero standards and certification body, Mahesh is leading the global decarbonization movement
The pandemic sparked a major shift in how we live, with many people choosing to relocate from large cities. While this migration has been widely discussed, I argue that the real solution to revitalizing our cities lies in one overlooked area: sustainable buildings. In my latest Forbes Business Council article, I explore how adopting energy-efficient, green building practices is essential for reducing environmental impact and boosting urban resilience. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/ewRCWWQE
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🏡 The The Crown Estate Launches #Sustainable #Housing Projects The Crown Estate is partnering with GS8, TOWN and igloo Regeneration to build 200 sustainable homes across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cheshire. 🌱 What #sustainability standards are being set? 🏗️ How will these projects shape future housing strategies? 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwiH2TU5 #SustainableHousing #NetZero #GreenBuilding #UKHousing
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Fear vs Fundamentals: The Time to Invest in Sustainable and Affordable Housing is Now The global housing market is facing a historic supply-demand imbalance. In this article by World Green Building Council, current estimates by the United Nations reveal the need for 96,000 new homes daily—adding up to a staggering 35 million homes per year worldwide. In the US alone, a similar shortage drives up prices and rent, pricing many out of quality housing. For investors, this deficit in new housing stock equates to immense demand and value creation, especially within niches that few are equipped to tap. 1) Net-Zero Homes: The Future Standard with Investor Upside Net-zero energy homes don’t just reduce utility bills—they future-proof investments. With codes and incentives increasingly favoring sustainable buildings, net-zero developments create a value moat. For investors, tax credits and the ability to achieve higher valuations through lower operating costs are just the beginning. Sustainable assets are rapidly gaining traction, and the market rewards those who prioritize future-ready projects. 2) Affordable Housing: A Value-Driven, Recession-Resilient Strategy Contrary to misconceptions, affordable housing is a cornerstone of community and cash flow resilience. Quality affordable housing supported by government incentives, like LIHTC credits, creates steady returns while addressing social needs. With guaranteed rent payments often backed by federal and state programs, affordable housing provides stable cash flows, even in downturns. Plus, the impact goes beyond profit—it addresses a real, growing need. 3) Market Share and Valuation Growth in Uncertain Times Smart investors know that crisis breeds opportunity. While others are sidelined by fear and uncertainty, those leaning in stand to capture market share at a discount. With interest rates and costs weighing on hesitant players, developers with vision—like Luxe Living Homes—are securing assets, securing future growth, and driving value that will outlast current market cycles. In sum, strategies rooted in sustainable, impact-driven housing are resilient, forward-focused, and aligned with the shifting regulatory landscape. Investors who see beyond fear are building futures—and fortifying returns. https://lnkd.in/gYZDJMr3 #RealEstateInvestment #NetZero #AffordableHousing #ImpactInvesting #Sustainability #MarketOpportunities #HousingCrisis
