hese are exciting times in Singapore.
The Singapore government has signaled a big push into green initiatives,
and announced a focus on building green malls. Singapore is Asia's retail Mecca. The
shopping experience has evolved through the years, since the inception of the first retail mall
in the early 1970's to one of the swankiest retail malls - ION Orchard, opened in July
2009 on Orchard Road. So an announcement on green malls means serious business.
Wikipedia defines a `Green Building' as green construction or sustainable buildings. The
art of building structures, using processes that are environmentally responsible and
resource-efficient throughout a building's lifecycle:
i.e., from concept, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, renovation, retrofitting
and deconstruction. Green buildings are designed to reduce overall impact of the
built environment on human health and the natural environment and are evolved around
new technologies to complement current practices in creating greener structures. In essence
green buildings achieve this by efficiently using
energy, water, and other resources, protecting
occupant health and improving employee
productivity and reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation.
City Developments Limited (CDL) invests between 2% and 5% of the construction
cost of a development on green design and features. The returns of this investment
is reflected in the reduced use of natural resources, financial savings and even
the possible increased capital value of the development. Moreover, through
the implementation of green innovations, CDL is helping to develop the industry's
expertise and capabilities in adopting sustainable solutions for the built environment. |
