Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is sustainable real estate development?
• Sustainable Real Estate Development in Pakistan
• Part – 2 (Stay Tuned)
  

  Introduction:

  Climate change has become a reality behind gearing of decisions across industries to modify systems and processes in a manner that ensures adoption of sustainability and green practices. Real estate is no exception, we know very well that future calls for adoption of development practices which enable a stable, safe, and serene environment for our coming generations. Sustainable real estate development is about making buildings less problematic for the environment but has to deliver sufficient financial viability and social efficiency. It aims at a healthy and safe future for the next generation and has been on the increase across the world.

  What is sustainable real estate development?
  

  Sustainable real estate development sustains the progress of building and community development with minimal damage to the environment. Such can be made possible through the use of eco-friendly materials, efficient systems of energy consumption, and artificial greenery. This sustainable development puts protection of the environment alongside economy in such a way that it would have left adequate environments for the generation after to live in a thriving world.

  Global Practice on Sustainable Real Estate:

  Worldwide there are many countries that are currently in the process of green building developments, as these countries leading the rest in achieving sustainable real estate development. Here are some examples of how countries are leading the way.

  United States – LEED Certification:

  Currently the US Green Buildings Council has developed the LEED certification, which is a green building certification that operates internationally. Currently, LEED certified buildings number of more than 100,000 all over the world. LEED buildings should consume only one quarter of the energy and half of the water of typical structures.

  Europe – Carbon-Neutral Cities:

  Other Europe big cities such as Copenhagen and Stockholm are well known for that they are environmentally friendly cities. In Copenhagen there are efforts set in place to also improve transport links, design more green spaces, and aim for a shift towards 100% renewable energy to ensure overall carbon neutrality by the year 2025. Stockholm as an awarded European Green Capital includes green areas and intelligent energy systems into the layout of its city. 

  China – Green Building Policies:

  China is arguably one of the largest construction industries globally and has emulated model green building standards we have today referred to as the Three Star Green Building Rating System. Today one can witness that extending progressive cities as Shenzhen are on the way of becoming green cities with the aspire to utilize renewable power and green structure design. 

  Sustainable Real Estate Development in Pakistan
  

  Although Pakistan still needs more time to develop the concept of sustainable development, interest is growing over the demand for green housing and commercial space, and developers are realizing the advantages of sustainable construction.

  Perhaps one of the most phenomenal projects in Pakistan is the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development (RUDA). The project is putting forth its landmark efforts in terms of sustainable standards for this country. Such a massive initiative will change the Ravi River into a highly modern, eco-friendly urban landscape alongside sustainability practices that can become an ideal model for future development in Pakistan.

  Part  – 2 (Stay Tuned)!

RUDA: Building a Sustainable City

Pakistan badly needs to transform in order to bring sustainable future. It may be noted that RUDA is a path breaking initiative to green the burgeoning real estate industry of Pakistan. From the research and results obtained, it meant that the proposed project will span land of more than 100000 acres. Hundreds of millions of people will be protected under this scheme intending sustainable urban design principles to be followed. Here is how RUDA makes the difference:

Green Spaces and Biodiversity:

RUDA aims at developing large extent forest and vegetation coverage, enhance species diversity and produce removal of pollution in the atmosphere. With parks and water bodies and other natural landscapes it wants to equip its citizens with a better health standard.

Smart City Infrastructure:

RUDA sort of stands on smart city technology. This model for energy, water and waste management is fully data driven. This also helps in proper usage of resources which assists in carbon reduction processes. 

Water:

In Pakistan, water shortage is the biggest problem, consequently, RUDA has invested highly in the development of barrages. There is also eight wastewater treatment and recycling so natural resources are preserved and used effectively.

Pakistan: The Future of Sustainable Real Estate

While RUDA is a step in the right direction, the huge potential in the Pakistani real estate sector is still in wait to be adapted with global best practices. And here’s what the sector must do, to push forward in a line toward sustainable development:

Green Building Standards:

The developers in Pakistan can benefit from the adoption of global certification systems such as LEED or the Pakistan Green Building Council’s Green Building Code. This would ensure that buildings erected are energy-friendly and also eco-friendly.

Renewable Energy Usage:

Most of Pakistan energy problems would be completely met if solar panel and wind turbines were incorporated into a real estate venture. The costs of energy would come down, along with reducing carbon footprint in buildings.

Water-Efficient Systems:

For a dry land country like Pakistan, there is a huge importance of new constructions that implemented rain water harvesting, grey water recycling along with water efficient fixtures.

Advantages of Sustainable Real Estate Development

It is quite evident that healthier and safer environment is important for sustainable future. Sustainable building contributes to better quality air, improved energy efficiency, and a generally healthier environment in which people are able to live, making it an attractive investment and living opportunity for individuals and investors alike. Eco-friendly real estate projects also come in as a clear measure for mitigating the effects of climate change on the generation.
Sustainable real estate projects, such as RUDA, prove to be the best examples for Pakistan to achieve balanced growth with environmental responsibility. It will bring the real estate industry in Pakistan to a great leap in terms of creating a healthy and sustainable future.

Conclusion:

The comparative ability of RUDA to exhibit the new model of urban design and construction can change how urban centers are formed, lessen the harm done to the ecosystem, and build better environments altogether. Expectations from Pakistan’s real estate, and subsequently its advocacy-based development endeavors, must be geared towards realizing the aspirations of all global practitioners of development and be able to realize a ‘green’ and ‘radically different’ environment that the future is in search for.