GREEN BUILDING GUIDE
ZoneSavvy, a web-based platform, is enabling
small businesses to make data-driven
decisions when selecting retail locations.
The platform classifies every neighbourhood
in the United States based on a range of
characteristics and demographics, such
as population density, median age and
average income. Start-ups can compare
neighbourhoods to determine which area
would best support their enterprise, while
building landlords can determine which types
of businesses would be most in-demand in
their location.
Data can support how we measure and
manage the long-term sustainability of
projects – from small buildings to large-scale
communities. And this is why data can help
governments achieve good design outcomes,
build business cases for projects, and
evidence return on investment.
The benefit of rating schemes like Green Star
is that they can create new value for data
by using it to measure and communicate
outcomes across a wide range of priorities.
Governments should be requiring data-
measured outcomes as part of procurement
processes to determine whether they are
delivering value for money for the taxpayer.
This is what Green Star provides.
generators” and the data will test the efficacy of
the “hypothesis” to optimise outcomes for people
and the environment.
Digital Globe, a technology firm applied artificial
intelligence, high-resolution satellite imagery and
big data sets to build a new tool called Geoscape.
This high-definition map and database of more
than 15 million buildings across Australia enables
people to analyse features from building size
and height to rooftop material and solar panel
coverage. Fast Company has promised that
Geoscape will “support evidence-based decision
making across a wide range of business scenarios,”
including planning, risk estimation, site selection,
transport analysis, and emergency response.
When building any piece of tax-payer funded
infrastructure – whether that’s a hospital, a
school, a sports stadium or an art gallery –
then it is logical that the outcomes should
be measured, that this should be freely
available, and that it should be widely
communicated as part of public engagement
to build support and understanding.
This approach is particularly important at the
community scale, which is why the Green Star –
Communities rating system is being embraced
around Australia. Developed in collaboration
with government, industry and academia, the
Green Star – Communities rating tool has set
evidence-based best practice benchmarks
across a range of criteria, from design and
governance through to environmental
sustainability and economic prosperity.
GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2017
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