Buildings and homes whose designs and construction materials are sustainable are increasingly common in the Ecuadorian market. Green spaces, terraces, balconies, vertical gardens are also part of the proposals that seek to minimize the carbon footprint. This green turn in the concept of building has allowed several national companies to obtain environmental awards or recognitions.
In fact, several construction and real estate companies have environmental certifications such as the one granted by the International Finance Corporation known as EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, for its acronym in English) or the LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, by its acronym in English), which allow endorsing sustainable buildings.
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For example, Proaño Promotora Inmobiliaria has the EDGE certification that supports the XOE building that will be built soon in Quito. The building will have processes and equipment that allow the reduction of water and energy consumption, the number of parking spaces was reduced, green areas were increased, and the use of the bicycle as a means of transportation was promulgated.
“Sustainability in construction ceased to be a trend to become a necessity. Our cities will continue to grow, there is no way to stop it, but there is a way to decide how that growth will be. The companies that already implement all the necessary processes for the efficient use of natural resources and the reduction of CO2 emissions in our settlements, are key to ensuring the preservation of the resources of present generation as well as future ones.”, says Joan Proaño, spokesperson for the company.
The executive indicates that a house is not only a housing unit by itself, but also the sum of spaces that allow the generation of community. This is why the construction of buildings, houses or citadels must be planned with the use of sustainable materials and a waste management plan, analyzing their useful life, through systems that promote sustainable habits among their inhabitants.
The real estate developer Innovum also achieved EDGE certification for the construction of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Playas. It is expected to consume 20% less electricity and water. It will also use solar panels for public lighting on the way to the hotel. Materials that reduce the heat emanating from the sun will be used in the rooms so that guests do not turn on the air conditioning too much.
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The concept of sustainability has also been implemented for the production of construction materials. The Holcim cement company, for example, has a portfolio of ecological cements that offer up to 50% less CO2 emissions. The company has also achieved carbon neutral certification on several of its products.
In addition, in July of this year it presented its new corporate identity in order to accelerate the ecological and profitable growth of all its segments driven by sustainability and innovation.
Meanwhile, the cement company Unacem Ecuador is recognized as an eco-efficient company, granted by the Ministry of the Environment, due to the fact that it achieved a reduction in the use of fossil fuel, iron consumption, electrical energy and for the conditioning and reuse of water. process for the manufacture of cement.
It also has recognition of the Good Environmental Practices for Sustainable Development United Nations Global Compact, among other environmental distinctions. In addition, in July of this year, it signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment to strengthen sustainable production and consumption, with which it commits to maintaining and strengthening its actions to mitigate climate change, through good industrial practices.
“Companies are called to create value and contribute to the well-being of present and future generations. There is no development if it does not contribute to the growth of the environment and the care of the planet”, says Patricio Díaz, manager of Industrial Ecology and Environment at Unacem.
Proaño and Díaz agree that sustainability has now become a fundamental pillar of companies in the construction sector and that is why environmental, economic and social management must be adequate for the efficient use of resources, the promotion of a sustainable industrialization, to the application of products to contribute to the growth and development of cities.
“Betting on sustainability implies a cost for companies, but we do not see it as an expense, but rather as an investment. Sustainability will always be profitable, not necessarily in the short term, but in the medium and long term”, affirms Proaño. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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