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Green Development?
Submitted by DrDangerPHD on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:08am.
One of the biggest impacts to an ecosystem is done by developers. And unless you're a one of a small group of people who have the education, ability, and time to build your own house from the materials God left on your land, the place where you and your family live (unless you're homeless) exists because of development. With more people being born every day and me refusing to tell my mother that I was a bad idea for the environment, we have to educate ourselves and others about "Sustainable" development.
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I'm interested in hearing
I'm interested in hearing about your project. Are you the developer only or will you also be the builder? Custom homes? Is there commercial? I look forward to sharing ideas.
Thanks, it's going to be fun.
No commercial, but we're working on an infrastructure suited for home businesses (telecommuting): high speed fiber, consistent reliable dual power suppliers, and a grocery delivery service.
We're starting to cut the centerline of the roads and I'm trying to find something to do with green pine mulch. It's like pulling teeth to keep these guys from burning or hauling to a landfill.
Chip it, store it, use it, sell it
Often during development a chipper is brought in on stie used and is part of the scope of work with the clearing contractor. The mulch is stockpiled or used during construction on site to keep down dust. There will be plenty of ways to use the mulch later on. If invasive exotic trees are part of the clearing, there may be an issue but if you are just dealing with pine, you're golden. If the trees are straight, could you sell them for timber? The financial viability depends upon how large your development is going to be. But we all agree that burning shouldn't be an option.
What I Learned
From 2000 to 2008 I was the Environmental Stewardship Manager for a publicly traded homebuilding/development company. While there, I taught some things and I learned some things.
What I taught about sustainability and green building, I hope is being carried out into the world by the individuals who worked with me. What I learned are the two factors that will make a developer pursue green.
They are:
1) If customers are looking for green
2) If laws require building green
There is a third factor, though usually less powerful - - if the CEO wants to do it. (less powerful because in publicly traded corporations, quarterly sales affect company vision)
In my tenure, I had it both ways with CEOs. The first was a visionary who saw that sustainability was the trend.
With the CEO covering our backs, our team forged into certification of green developments and green homes starting in 2001. When that CEO retired in 2006, the housing slump was starting.
Honestly, buyers weren't asking for green features, and the next CEO focused entirely on cutting costs.
If consumers value green features, developers and homebuilders will deliver. An example - - the increasing number of dog parks being added to community design. Dog parks beat nature paths in consumer priority. This I learned.
I feel you on that!
Leadership is key (CEO). We strive to compete. We work to win the game. We hope to do the right thing. Ultimatly, the bank has to be paid.
I am however, seeing a lot more ways to save money, time, and effort by being "Green." Some new road building techniques which save time, last longer, and reduce erosion by half. It costs a little more up-front but the value is there in the life of the road.
Can we still sell value?? Or has Walmart got us on "cheep is best."
Thanks for your reply! I think your former CEO (the first one) was ahead of his time by about 5 years. And thank you for making the world a better pace!
PS: You're right about the motivations, but some of us are trying... even if it costs more.