Sustainability the casualty in battle to build more apartments
In the rush to build more apartments to house Australia's rapidly growing population, sustainable practices and design features are being overlooked.
As migration continues to surge, particularly in urban areas where apartments are increasingly favoured, the demand for housing escalates.
But amidst this housing boom, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the social and environmental sustainability of apartment living.
While many developers focus on meeting immediate housing needs, a select few are pioneering efforts to address the pressing issue of sustainability in apartment complexes.
Despite the growing trend of greener residential houses with improved insulation and alternative renewable energy sources and double-glazed windows, the attention to creating environmentally friendly apartment buildings remains inadequate.
Due to the nationwide shortage of supply in Australia, many developers are racing to complete construction projects to meet demand, relegating sustainability to a secondary concern.
An AHURI report paints a sobering picture, indicating that sustainability is not even considered amid the rush to find solutions for the critical housing shortage.
This lack of attention to sustainability is concerning for new developments, and developers must strive for improvement.
During the planning phase, developers must allocate time to ensure that their projects adhere to sustainability standards.
One such initiative is Geniux, who have emerged as a leader in the market due to their ability to deliver customised clean energy infrastructure solutions that provide sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits to the developer and end user.
Specialising in renewable utility solutions, Geniux plays a crucial role in optimising energy production and consumption within buildings, ensuring maximum efficiency across various energy loads.
Developers can not only meet but surpass green building standards, achieve an impressive nine-star rating or net zero certification, through mutually benefiting relationships with existing experts in sustainability.
Tonnes of carbon emissions saved
A recent project serves as an example of how much of an impact sustainable development can have on a project.
Our last apartment building developed with clean energy infrastructure has prevented the release of 27 tonnes of carbon emissions in just 15 months.
The carbon emission savings across our recent developments with clean technology infrastructure installed are equivalent to taking 73 cars off the road for a year.
As downsizers and migration continue to fuel the ever-growing demand for housing, it becomes increasingly imperative for developers to prioritise sustainability within the realm of apartment living.
With urbanisation on the rise and the concentration of populations in cities intensifying, the strain on resources and infrastructure is amplified.
Incorporating sustainable practices into apartment developments not only addresses the immediate need for housing but also mitigates the long-term environmental impacts associated with rapid urban expansion.
