Divercity Urban Property Group is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, on accelerating the adoption of green building practices through the promotion of voluntary green building certification programs based on the EDGE (“Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies”) software, standard, and certification system.
Divercity and IFC are establishing a framework for greater collaboration in pursuit of their shared aspirations to move the affordable residential property on to a lower-carbon, more resource-efficient path.
To this end, Divercity aims at EDGE certifying 100% of its portfolio and plans to build an additional 3,000 EDGE certified units in South Africa over the next three years.
The commitment to design and build resource efficient projects with EDGE is aligned to Divercity’s sustainability Strategy
Building Sustainable Futures
South Africa’s predominant model of affordable housing, often on the urban periphery, perpetuates historical spatial inequalities and negatively impacts the environment. Recognizing these challenges, we conducted groundbreaking research in partnership with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) and Arup, revealing the critical role of housing development location in significantly lowering carbon emissions.
Our findings emphasize that the current dominant model results in higher carbon emissions. Urban sprawl, reliance on private car travel, and long commutes contribute to this issue. To counteract this trend, we advocate for the following principles outlined in our research report:
- Aligning Policies with Climate Goals: Encourage public sector policies that align property development with climate goals, using regulations, standards, and incentives to manage and guide the industry.
- Developer Commitment: Advocate for property developers to commit to constructing better-located housing that minimizes lifestyle-related carbon emissions.
- Championing Low-Carbon Development: Encourage built environment professionals to champion the low-carbon development and operation of urban spaces.
- Connected Urban Planning: Promote town planners to design connected cities, neighbourhoods, and spaces that enhance equity and access to economic opportunities.
- Integrated Thinking: Urge urban economists to advocate for integrated thinking, considering factors such as carbon emissions, air pollution, commuting costs, and other externalities.
At Divercity, sustainability is not just a commitment; it’s a core principle guiding our every endeavor. Join us as we build sustainable communities for a better future.