Green Economy Journal Issue 41

SPECIAL REPORT
Georgina Smit
Head of Sector Development and Market Transformation, Green Building Council of South Africa
www.gbcsa.org.za
GREEN BUILDINGS PLAY A VITAL ROLE
The reference to ‘building it back better’ developed in response to natural
disaster relief efforts, such as fires or hurricanes. Within the context of
Covid-19, which is a more longstanding health and financial disaster, I
believe it means how we will shape our fiscal stimulus policies, long-term
infrastructure planning and detailed design thinking to plan for a future
in which sustainability is prioritised and incentivised. It is about using
the opportunity to rebuild our systems, cities and communities in a way
that learns from our mistakes in the past and corrects them with in-built
resilience and good design. What this means to me as a representative of
the GBCSA, is that we believe that green buildings play a vital role in our
future’s green recovery.
Post Covid-19, I think we are going to see an increased focus on healthy
buildings – in terms of providing improved air quality, appropriate
surface design and selection (to mitigate against viral and bacterial
contamination and spread) and enhanced workspace efficiency.
Decision-making will be informed by selecting options that improve a
building’s ability to continue operating in the time of health crises.
The government should consider policies and stimulus packages
that promote sustainability options that deliver on green economy dual
benefits such as job creation and improved quality of living standards.
We need to have a local understanding and pool of talent to drive green
economy solutions in South Africa. Enablers for this include incentives
for going green to developers and project owners.
Lesley Sibanda
C40 Technical Officer, Energy Efficiency in New Buildings (SA Buildings Programme),
Sustainable Energy Africa
www.c40.org
RESILIENT CITIES PAVE THE WAY FORWARD
Post Covid-19, more emphasis will be given to occupant health and
comfort and strategies aimed at improving health through improved
ventilation, access to natural light, less toxic material use, indoor plants,
open green spaces for exercise and relaxation. The concept of adaptive
reuse of buildings is likely to become more prominent as buildings are
repurposed for new functions. Also, reduced commuting needs, as more
people work from home, will result in transformed mobility patterns, and
reimagining digital infrastructure across the cities.
The urban planning and sustainable design of a city’s agenda in
the post-Covid-19 world will need to focus on building resilience to
pandemics such as disease, climate change, natural hazards, and unrest.
Urban planning will need to make cities more inclusive, resilient, safe,
and sustainable. Mixed-use precinct development will likely be on
the rise with a renewed focus on promoting local lifestyles as well as
healthier and safer spaces for all.
The government needs to develop economic stimulus packages that
have climate action and resilience to future shocks as the core principles.
These recovery stimulus packages to build the economy must prioritise
the transition to a low-carbon future while simultaneously reducing
exposure to future crises and reducing health threats to the most
vulnerable people in our society.
greeneconomy.media
Stimulus packages must facilitate investments in low carbon urban
infrastructure, and local renewable energy production to avoid a
rebound of greenhouse gas emissions. These stimulus packages include
supportive structures and mechanisms for local government to actively
engage in decentralised renewable energy production, stimulate local
economic development and localisation of products through financial
incentives and building strong partnerships between the spheres of
government, business, unions, civil society, communities and academics.
The government needs to develop economic
stimulus packages that have climate action and
resilience to future shocks as the core principles.
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