Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009 - (Page 15)

that is held by the general public. Too many still equate the word “sustainable” with “environment.” This misunderstanding is not a surprise based upon the overuse and bastardization of the word. As defined by many, including Sustainable Land Development International, sustainability is achieved only when the triple-bottom-line approach is followed. This means that it is achieved by meeting social concerns and environmental concerns while meeting financial objectives. This is a huge opportunity for our industry; not just because consumers are now demanding and expecting “green,” environmentally-conscious, and energysaving projects; not just because communities are wanting and legislating for the same; and, not just because it is the “right thing” to do. It is actually all three of these and more. Sustainability is in fact, the key to the financial treasure chest. If it is not financially viable, it isn’t in fact sustainable at all. With lenders and investors literally holding the keys to the safe where funds for land development projects are kept, they are going to scrutinize project plans and proformas even tighter than in the past. This will undoubtedly require a more in-depth financial plan, but it will also likely require a better handle on the typical and yet often unforeseen roadblocks that add time delays to projects that significantly change the profit margin of development projects. Therefore, clearly researching, investigating, and understanding the entitlement hurdles as well as meeting and overcoming the community and environmental concerns that are likely to arise will need to be addressed before the project gains financing. This is a huge step towards achieving sustainability. Overcoming the aforementioned hurdles will require almost every professional in the industry to change the way they do business. Developers will need to develop and share a vision for each project very early in the development process with an assembled team of planning, design, and regulatory professionals. Engineers and architects must learn and promote innovative solutions to development challenges and to take into consideration the financial constraints to make a project viable. That is a start to achieve true sustainability. It is also one of the primary opportunities to unlock the door to access cash. And, finally, it will be a huge step in turning around our national economy. SLDT 1 joint initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization, the International Trade Union Confederation, and the International Organisation of Employers. It is available for download at www.unep.org/labour_environment/features/green jobs-report.asp About the authors: Terry Mock, Tony Wernke, and Greg Yoko comprise the Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) Management Committee and are members of the SLDI Board of Directors. The report is derived from a longer, in-depth study, Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World, commissioned for a Stormwater Management Systems Our Product Line Includes: ° Detention Protect downstream channels from erosion. • Recharge Preserve existing ground water table elevation. • Infiltration Temporarily store WQv allowing infiltration into soil. • Filtration Remove 80% TSS, nutrients, hydrocarbons and trace metals. • Separation Remove suspended solids, free floating oil and debris. www.rotondo-es.com Circle 195 • or www.SLDTonline.com/webcard www.SLDTonline.com 15 http://www.unep.org/labour_environment/features/greenjobs-report.asp http://www.rotondo-es.com http://www.rotondo-es.com http://www.SLDTonline.com/webcard http://www.SLDTonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009

Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009 Contents Our Voice Your Voice The BottomLine SLDI in Focus Calendar Industry Rebound Will Require Balanced Approach What Happened to Fannie and Freddie? Added Value in Entitlements Industry Spotlights Technology Wastewater Innovation Classifieds Advertiser Index Editorial Board SLDT Resources Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009

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