In the end, 99% of developers just want to build and sell homes and attain maximum profit. After all, it wouldn’t be a capitalist society if that weren’t the case. This usually manifests in cookie cutter developments based on for the most part poorly designed model homes built quickly and cheaply.
But what if they could still make a handsome profit while building greener, solidly constructed, energy efficient dwellings that could stand the test of time. The end result would be a lighter load on the cities infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity) and a happier, healthier family with much reduced utility bills at the end of the year.
Here’s how one player based in Ottawa views it playing out.
A big part of the problem, he says, is that many builders are loath to invest extra money for more efficient energy and water systems that only translate into cost savings for the eventual owners. Westeinde’s company gets around this dilemma by working out long-term financing arrangements with owners, who agree to share a portion of their future cost savings with the developer.
- Read the full article in Scientific American
2 responses so far ↓
That really is the shame about current markets. Do people even know that they are buying places with sub par energy efficiency?
How can we put pride in the city or in our own properties knowing that they are not in tune with sustainable standards? The world is changing and we sit and watch ourselves fall behind and it’s all business as usual.
Like you had mentioned earlier, cities are competing for these home buyers on the west island, why not set themselves apart with an above standard neighbourhood. Energy efficient, healthy material choices, walking distance to a corner store… it’s REALLY not hard or that much more expensive. Drives me nuts, since pretty much everyone I talk to would be willing to pay the 10-15% premium for a better designed home / neighbourhood. Ste-Anne’s new sprawl is a perfect example. Same builders and plans they’ve been selling for the past 20 years!!!