Part 2:ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES

Sustainability,Tech and socio-economic factors

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is about meeting the present needs without compromising

the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Gohari, 2025)

Ture /False

Contruction is one of the few industires seen as very adaptive to change

“ is perceived by many as resistant to change.

Most other industries have significantly improved through technological

development,”

How can construction be more sustainable

• Green materials → Use renewable or recycled products like bamboo, cork, recycled steel, or sustainably sourced timber. These reduce reliance on resource‑intensive materials like concrete

• Local sourcing → Prioritize materials produced nearby to cut transport emissions and support local economies

• Modular & prefabricated construction → Build components off‑site in controlled environments, which reduces waste and speeds up assembly.

• Waste management → Reuse concrete, steel, flooring, and other materials instead of sending them to landfills.

• Passive solar design → Orient buildings to maximize natural light and heat, reducing reliance on artificial energy

• Water systems → Incorporate rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and water‑efficient fixtures — crucial in Cape Town’s drought‑prone climate.

• Green roofs & insulation → Plant roofs or use high‑quality insulation to regulate temperature naturally, lowering energy use.

• Renewable energy integration → Solar panels, wind turbines, or other clean energy sources reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

What 3 core elements does the UN Sustainable Development Agenda because they think they are important for sustainable development

Economic growth

Social Inclusion

Environmnetal protection

What are the common aims (especially for developing countries) in terms of sustainable construction

1. Minimise the consumption of fossil fuels and other natural resources

2. Reduce the amount of waste and pollution generated

3. Respect the various stakeholders, especially the users (currently and in

the future

Who does the sustainability in property heavily rely on?

Sustainability in property depends heavily on choices made during design and construction. If tenants aren’t part of that process, their ability to show sustainability in their operations is limited.

Tenants: can be **businesses in commercial spaces(offices, retail and industrial buildings), they measure sustainability. in their economic scorecards(performance tool that tracks how well a business is meeting its financial and non-financial goals). They aren’t involved in design/contruction process so cannot demonstrate strong sustainability practices in the spaces they rent, even if they want to.

Characteristics of a sustainable commercial property

• Making maximum use of natural daylight and ventilation (incorporating passive energy systems)

• Minimising the consumption of fossil fuels by using a combination of heat and power and orientating the building to benefit from solar energy

• Reducing the use of fresh water by using recycled grey water for landscape

irrigation, flushing toilets, etc.

•Enabling good access to public transport and/or making provision for cyclist by providing cycle racks, showers and changing facilities

•Taking advantage of effective facilities management to ensure a safe, productive and efficient working environment

•Reusing and refurbishing existing building and sites

Characteristics of a sustainable Residential property

• Reducing energy requirements to the point where renewable energy becomes viable

•Reducing water consumption by collecting rainwater and recycling grey water

•Maximising the use of local reclaimed and recycled material

•Promoting public transport, cycle lanes and carpools to create a lifestyle that is less car-dependent

•Incorporating on-site composting, home delivery of groceries and recycling

•Designing housing estates in ways that promote community

What is Property economics

Property economics is about how development, construction, and occupation respond to consumer demand. But because the market is fragmented, understanding property issues requires looking at the bigger economic picture.

What two parts is consumer demand broken up into

• Opportunities → shaped by affordability and what people can realistically consume.

• Preferences → shaped by what clients want or like.

What two broad spectrums can the property market be broken up into

• The residential market: is the concern of individuals with a functional

  purpose in mind (their house)

• The commercial market: is the concern of institutional investors with

  profit in mind

What 4 categories is the commercial market broken up into?

• Office buildings and office parks

• Retail buildings such as shopping centres, shops, supermarkets

and departmental outlets

• Warehouses and industrial parks

• Leisure buildings such as hotels, pubs, cinemas, theatres, e

The demand for buildings is always generated from

economic activities in other economic sectors,

hence it is important for all stakeholders in property

development to have the ability to…..

Interpret economic statistics

(macro-economy)

What are other economic sectors

• Manufacturing & Industry → Factories, warehouses, and industrial parks are built to support production.

• Commerce & Retail → Shops, malls, and office blocks arise from trade and business activity.

• Transport & Logistics → Airports, harbors, and distribution centers are built to move goods and people.

• Tourism & Hospitality → Hotels, resorts, and entertainment venues respond to tourism demand.

• Education & Health → Schools, universities, hospitals, and clinics expand as these sectors grow.

• Agriculture → Farming infrastructure, storage facilities, and rural housing are tied to agricultural activity.

• Finance & Services → Banks, insurance offices, and IT hubs require specialized buildings.

What makes sustainable development a tricky idea (what are the two contrasting things)

• On one side, development usually means economic growth — producing more, consuming more, expanding markets.

• On the other side, sustainability means protecting the planet’s limited resources.

• The problem: you can’t have infinite growth on a planet with finite resources.

• This creates a tension or ambiguity — how do we balance the need for growth with the need to protect the environment?