REP round table draws up industry executives

REP ROUND TABLE PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY Friday 4 July 2008
On Thursday July 3, representatives from leading developers and advisers in the European retail industry gathered in Amsterdam to discuss the topic of sustainability and its role in the development and management of shopping centers.
Sustainability roundtable participants. Clockwise from front: Peter Langley, Director, Head of Sustainability, DTZ Peter Wilhelm, CEO, Wilhelm & Co Bernd Struben, Senior Editor, Real Estate Publishers (Moderator) Marinus Dijkman, President and CEO, Real Estate Publishers (Moderator) Jörg Banzhaf, Managing Director, ECE René Hersbach, Managing Director Project Management, ING Real Estate Development Ermine Amies, Managing Director, International Council of Shopping Centers Thibault Vouters, Environment Manager, Group Klépierre Glenn Aaronson, CEO, Multi Corporation Joost Bomhoff, Chief Development Officer, Unibail-Rodamco Jaap Gillis, COO, Redevco Europe Nadia Boschi, Sustainability Manager CEMEA, Bovis Lend Lease Tiago Vidal, Corporate Communications Manager, Sonae Sierra
Towards a single standard Building on the success of similar forums held in Paris and Cannes, the group debated the need for a single standard BREEAM, how to improve the footprint of existing and older shopping centers, and their positions on educating the community about sustainable practices. Voluntary, small improvements The concept of voluntary improvements, even in small incremental measures, was hotly discussed as an alternative to setting high benchmarks or the introduction of sustainability-related legislation. Energy, waste and water were seen as the easiest initial targets for improvement, although enhancing public transport, particularly to out-of-town centers, was viewed as potential for the biggest gains. Social responsibility The group felt it was important to involve retailers by emphasizing the social responsibility of becoming more sustainable, but that shopping centers should lead by example. Sustainability is still associated with higher costs, so initiatives must generate value wherever possible. While there was also strong support for shopping centers to educate the public on sustainability, this was not unanimous. What was clear from the discussion however, is that everyone has been taking significant and increasing steps towards improving and raising awareness of sustainability over the past 12 months. A full report will be available in the Retail Space 2009 Yearbook, which will be published in October.