5 examples of how developers around the world help cities without direct benefit for themselves

[ad_1]

Create a community center, support small businesses, restore abandoned territories: social initiatives from developers are beneficial to both citizens and businesses.

The relationship between people and cities is changing. The new generation demands from governments and corporations not only traditional amenities such as housing affordability or infrastructure development: young people want to live in an environment that focuses on walkability, supports social diversity and inclusion, and is environmentally responsible – and even willing to pay more for that.

Developers all over the world – especially those working in the advanced markets of North America, Europe and Asia – are responding to this trend and are gradually taking on more and more obligations to the citizens.

According to the CBRE company, about 60% of market players already are managed necessary environmental, social and corporate (ESG) standards in work.

At the same time, many developers are not limited to this and launch their own initiatives to help communities or certain categories of residents. And often this becomes not the exception, but the rule.

Take care of the local park

COIMA is the largest private real estate company in Italy, with a portfolio of dozens of projects throughout the country. And also – a number of important social projects, which are implemented through the charity organization of its own CEO Manfredi Catelli.

The largest of the initiatives is the work on the Biblioteca degli Alberi di Milano (BAM), the third largest park in Milan.

In 2019, COIMA entered into a unique agreement with the local government, under which it undertook to take care of the BAM area. Now the developer maintains, repairs and develops an important public space on his own – and is even responsible for its cultural content.

Thanks to this, the city received a dynamic location that constantly offers new activities. Sports classes, concerts and festivals, as well as other events are held here.

And Manfredi Catella himself points out that all citizens will benefit from the right social initiatives – accordingly, local businesses too.

Arrange public space

American Hurd Real Estate went further and created a public location from scratch. It is a refined area with an amphitheater that can accommodate up to 50 people on stage. The site itself can accommodate up to 2,000 visitors, and a large barrier-free space allows you to come with your pets.

The location is located in the very center of the school campus, so it regularly gathers students and fills their extracurricular life with interesting activities. Concerts and festivals are held here, as well as films and theater performances.

Support small business

Sometimes you can help the city by supporting an important category of residents – for example, small entrepreneurs. Small business is the basis of modern urban space – it develops the local economy, and also ensures the fullness and interest of its streets and boulevards.

For example, a social initiative was launched in Kyiv #My life is here from “Kovalsk”, which tells about iconic brands. Posters and streetlights were placed around the city, and videos supporting local companies – small but important businesses that shape the culture and spirit of the capital – were released on the radio and YouTube.

Project participants include Frank Coffee, Leila Bakery, The Naked Room gallery, Misto art bookstore, NUNU diner and Lutiki jewelry brand.

In addition, the initiative received continued online: on the platform of the same name, young entrepreneurs from the capital can talk about their business and receive special offers, and later – opportunities for partnerships.

Create a creative center

There are cases when a social project gathers around itself a large number of companies from the real estate market. This is what happened in Australia: 30 local businesses created the Sydney Story Project.

This is a public space where children are taught writing skills and develop other creative skills. And the location fully corresponds to this spirit: there are no traditional classrooms, but at the same time there is a lot of light and soft surfaces to work on.

And there is also a zone that is considered the first embassy of Mars on Earth – with the appropriate interior and filling.

The contribution of the companies to the creation of the center was different: some created the concepts and design, others carried out the lighting. The only thing that united them was working at their own expense for the benefit of the community. After all, a creative space has appeared in Sydney that attracts not only children, but also adults.

Take care of public ecology

Planting trees is a popular social initiative among companies. However, the British developer Willmott Dixon took it to a new level.

The company uses its own expertise in planning and construction to not just create green locations, but to make them actually help residents.

This principle is called “the right tree in the right place with the right intention”. The idea is to plant trees that are specific to a certain area and that will perform a specific function – to preserve the environment and improve the urban space.

In this way, Willmott Dixon has already created, for example, an urban forest in one of the districts of the city of Leeds, as well as green areas in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and London.

In total, this is more than 2,500 planted trees, while the developer’s goal is much more ambitious: to plant 100,000 trees by 2030.

[ad_2]

Original Source Link