Sustainability
Global social responsibility is an important consideration when we select prospective property developers. Developers have the unique opportunity to choose a path that works in harmony with their local environment and reduces their environmental footprint, and we wholly support developers who choose to develop in a sustainable manner.
FOREST LAKES COUNTRY CLUB
Terra Firma Development Corporation is a member of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), an organisation that accelerates the design and construction of green buildings in Canada. Developing in an environmentally sensitive way is one of the cornerstones of Terra Firma’s development ethos. Examples of how the company is developing in an environmentally sensitive way include:
Integration of all materials reclaimed from the site. This includes any trees cut being used for pulp or paper and where that’s not appropriate, chipped for walking trail formation. Rock and gravel are quarried and crushed on site, thus reducing road transport and carbon footprint. Additionally, all topsoil removed is reused for parks and gardens
Water balance. Irrigation for the golf course is from captured rainfall. Storm water runoff is directed to areas where it can enhance wetland conservation habitats. All houses have water harvesting systems, while apartment buildings use rainwater to augment the normal ground water supplies.
Energy. All homes have enhanced energy and water saving features built in as standard. These include LED lighting throughout; substantially higher than normal insulation standards and the use of heat recovery ventilation to enhance comfort and reduce energy for space heating. Additional to this, the design of all properties was enhanced by specialist computer software to provide the most energy efficient design for building elements and orientation.
Environment. There has been a great deal of effort in the development of Forest Lakes Country Club to not just preserve the environment but, where possible, to enhance it. The golf course for example, has wetland conservation areas as features. The construction of the network of trails has a dual purpose allowing them to be for summer activities as well as cross country skiing in the winter. All roads will be salt free, allowing water runoff to enhance wetland conservation areas, and natural bio-swales and filters have been used to prevent pollution to water sources
To this extent, Landcorp assesses developments for both negative local impact, as well as pro-active solutions. Our research team considers the building materials used, light contamination, the carbon footprint of the energy and water schemes as well as the overall sustainability of the development.
PURE RESORTS HOTELS AND RESIDENCES
The core of the Pure Resorts’ development ethos is the conservation and protection of the spectacular natural environment and ecosystems of the local region. The Northeast of Brazil is known for its spectacular, unspoilt landscapes with an abundance of flora and fauna, which is why so many domestic tourists holiday in this region. Examples of how Pure Resort’s is endeavoring to preserve this include:
Maintaining the skyline. From a master planning perspective, Pure Resorts has sought to ensure its developments are low density (approx. 5%) and its real estate compliments and blends in with the local landscape with no building more than two storeys high.
Materials. Where possible materials will be sourced locally and the resort will also feature low-impact, high-quality architecture, seamlessly integrated with nature and the natural surroundings.
Energy and water. Pure Resorts is utilising an adjacent windmill farm to provide clean energy and has built a water treatment plant to recycle water for onsite use.
Light pollution. As the resort’s location at Parnaiba is famous for turtles arriving on the beaches to lay their eggs, any form of bright lighting is to be avoided. Bright light would scare the turtles away so the developers have adjusted the overall landscaping and night lighting design to minimise any negative impact.