how to become an eco-hero?
The publication is divided into six chapters: Fauna and Flora, Water, Energy and Temperature, Mobility, Construction, and Community. Each of them describes the most relevant issues and tools you can reach for to become an eco-hero. However, instead of describing the problems, the guide's authors focus on the issues most relevant to the city - tools and solutions. Each section introduces "minimum," "optimum" and "eco-hero" categories to encourage real action. Each issue includes a description, pros and cons, technical or legal issues and costs. Solutions firmly grounded in reality should convince businessmen for whom the final bill must add up.
TheFauna and Flora chapter points out the irreplaceable actions of trees, hedges and ground cover plants, but also encourages "urban" animal-friendly design. It promotes plant species that can cope with the increasingly difficult Polish climatic conditions. The next chapter talks about the importance of taking care of water resources - using retention solutions (on the surface and on the roof), rain gardens and permeable surfaces. The Energy and Temperature chapter highlights measures that will save energy and reduce demand for it or reduce the urban heat island. The proposed solutions offer a wide spectrum of possibilities: from LED lighting to cost-effective vertical communication systems to photovoltaics and recuperation. The Mobility chapter promotes solutions that support healthy movement, a new eco-friendly approach to four-wheeling and parking issues. Construction - logistics, prefabrication, materials and construction waste are the most critical issues to be reprogrammed during the creation of a new development, according to Eco Avengers. Finally, Community, meaning change, change, change. New generations with their ideas and demands need appropriate solutions to create communities and neighborhood ties. Creating friendly spaces, sharing and environmental education are just some of the Eco Avengers' suggestions.
Photo: Nancy Bourque | Pexels
The Polish Association of Real Estate Development Companies, in establishing the Eco Avengers team, has taken up the desire to fight for a better future for our cities. The release of the eco-guide does not obligate further action, but it does open eyes to existing problems and gives concrete solutions. What will be the next step? And how to encourage the statistical developer, to immediately put the Guide's recommendations into practice? Will an inconspicuous red booklet convince giants that business as usual no longer works? That how we design, build and operate buildings and cities has an impact on droughts, running out of resources and climate change? That every action, especially interference with the urban - environmental - fabric will have an impact on the planet? It must be decided whether the impact will be negative or positive. The development and construction industry needs to quickly make up for its lack of environmental knowledge. The Eco Avengers' Guide is a good start, as the spectrum of proposed solutions is broad enough that any developer with the will to change can select the right solutions for his or her development. From lawn replacements (white clover), permeable paving, phytoremediation to heat pumps and recuperation. What matters is the idea and taking every action at every scale, as both small changes and larger ones will have a significant impact on the environment. One can only hope that developers, starting with small steps, will develop an appetite for more green measures. Because being eco is now not only essential, but it might just pay off.
The eco-guide can be found here.
