Green Building Council of SA launching Green Star tool for Multi-Unit Residential buildings

The launch of the next Green Star SA green building rating tool by the Green Building Council of South Africa, Green Star SA - Multi Unit Residential v1, is set to take place at the GBCSA Convention and Exhibition, happening at the CTICC from 26 – 28 October 2011.

The development and launch of this much-anticipated tool follows the successful production of Green Star SA tools for Office buildings and Retail Centres.

“Since its launch in December of last year, the GBCSA has put the MURT tool through its paces on PILOT projects across the country to improve and streamline it for the South African Multi Unit Residential market,” explains Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the Green Building Council of South Africa.

“The ongoing strategic expansion of available rating tools by the GBCSA is being driven by the demand for increased coverage of the property sector and the acknowledgement of unique environmental issues attributed to specific building types.” 

The Green Star SA – Multi Unit Residential v1 rating tool will assess the environmental attributes of new multi unit residential developments as well as major refurbishments to existing multi unit residential developments or conversions across South Africa.

Multi unit residential developments are defined as developments that include three or more dwelling units, common property, shared services and infrastructure among dwellings and a management entity (e.g. body corporate, home owners association, management operator etc.).  

Recent estimates show that such residential units represent approximately 8% of all residential dwellings in SA and that there is definite trend towards higher density living – indicating the importance of this new tool in SA!

“The Green Star SA rating tools provide an objective framework and standards for the measurement of green building. They establish a common language for the industry and importantly, recognise and reward environmental leadership. Rating tools have been instrumental in marking the mainstream take-up of green building practices in a number of markets worldwide, and South Africa is following this trend,” concludes Wilkinson.