Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008 - (Page 26)

SLDI in Focus Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) is a member-owned organization dedicated to promoting land development around the world that balances the needs of people, planet and profit – for today, and future generations. Achieving Sustainable Land Development Energy Flows Model Nature Create Value Eliminate Waste Recognize Interdependence Share Knowledge Last month in SLDI in Focus, we identified the SLDI Guiding Principles – nine universal tenets which comprise the foundation for a successful sustainable project according to the triple-bottom-line needs of maximizing social, environmental and economic capital. These principles adapt the concepts of the Hannover Principles originally developed by Bill McDonough and Michael Braungart and modifies them (as put forth in their original form and in the words of their authors, the Hannover Principles “may adapt as our knowledge of the world evolves.”) to conform to the triple-bottom-line approach of truly sustainable land development (http://www.mcdonough.com/principles). This month, we take sustainable land development to a more practical level. These guiding principles provide the framework for the 27 interrelated sustainable land development goals. Naturally, not all of these goals can be fully maximized on every project. Rather, these goals can be thought of as the ideals of holistic sustainable land development. The specific best management practices in each of these areas (and ultimately, the products and services employed) that provide the greatest leverage and value depends on the specific geographic and political landscape of each individual project. Not every product and/or process (best practice) is practical or effective on every project, but working through the decision model toward achieving each of the goals in a comprehensive fashion right from the beginning of the project can result in a project which delivers maximum social, environmental, and economic value. SLDI has sought and received feedback from industry professionals, which has resulted in the formalization of these goals. Following is a compilation of the results of your input. Please offer additional comments on this draft model. You can comment and/or contribute by going to www.SLDIKnowledgeProject.com and adding comments or information, or you can send an email to Tony Wernke at twernke@sldi.org. Accept Responsibility Humans & Nature Co-Exist Quality of Life PROFIT (Economic Capital) CREATE VALUE Maximizing financial value for all stakeholders is vital to the success, and overall sustainability, of every project. Due Diligence Business Planning Create Value Results 1) Comprehensive and Thorough Due Diligence A complete investigation right upfront of the development opportunity, including highest and best use site selection, the political and legal environment, optimizing the initial land plan, including mix of uses, densities and flow considerations, a high-level early financial yield analysis, and negotiation approaches ensures that a project does not get off on the wrong track, resulting in costly re-work and/or a poorly performing project. 2) Excellent Business Planning A formal plan helps optimize project performance throughout the process and get and keep stakeholders aligned with the developer’s goals. An optimal plan would include a formal vision statement, including mission and principles, goals and strategic objectives. In addition, a marketing and sales plan and comprehensive financial proformas help get and keep a project performing optimally should also be included in the plan. 3) Superior Results The ultimate measure of the value created on each project lies in the results obtained. Sales margins, rates, and returns on investments define a project’s financial success. The larger economic impact and the ability of the developer/project team to ensure that the original value delivered can be preserved are also equally important to sustainable projects. ELIMINATE WASTE Project Communication Project Control The budgeting and cost control practices throughout the project are vital to maximize the return on investment of the project. Eliminate Waste Legal/Political Efficiency 4) Effective Project Communication Project-wide communication and data flow is vital to a project’s economic success. This is historically a goal that falls well short of optimal performance on most projects. Billions of dollars each year are wasted in ineffective “interoperability,” the smooth flow of project information and data throughout the development process. Projects can become doubly profitable simply through the optimization of data flow, which lowers consultancy fees and eliminates the need for rework due to errors and unnecessary redundancy of effort throughout the planning, surveying, site/building design and review/approval processes. 26 November/December 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.mcdonough.com/principles http://www.SLDIKnowledgeProject.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources The BottomLine Go Forth and Tread Lightly on the Land It’s About Name Recognition Managing Risk in the Sustainable Building Frontier Industry Spotlight Achieving Sustainable Land Development Worthy of Recognition Stormwater Wastewater Erosion Control Innovation Classifieds Advertiser Index Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008

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