To delve into the sustainable ethos of Atterbury Europe’s proposed Mall of Limassol in Cyprus, we engage with Head of Developments, Roux Gerber, and local Development Manager, Polys Tsiartziazis to explore how this grand vision aligns with a greener future.
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for Atterbury Europe; it’s the lifeblood of its development strategy for the proposed Mall of Limassol. “It’s about securing a future for upcoming generations,” states Gerber, emphasising the importance of a development being sustainably certified rather than merely ticking a box. “It shows the real intent of being sensitive and responsible within practical boundaries of a successful project,” he explains. As Cyprus is tethered to the European Union’s stringent sustainability statutes, the project is not only a reflection of Atterbury Europe’s principles but also aligned with broader European Union directives on energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Tsiartziazis underscores the importance for sustainable practices, acknowledging the environmental toll exacted by technological advancements. “Turning to sustainability is no longer an option; it’s an imperative in all aspects of life, in an attempt to control further negative impact of our actions and the successive consequences for the generations to follow.”
“Furthermore, sustainability practices are a key consideration from inception to execution for any future project in Cyprus as it is in many other jurisdictions in the world. There are for instance incentives in the development rights process to encourage the applicant to apply sustainability principles in the design and operations of the intended development,” he says. From the project’s inception, Atterbury Europe and its local professional team members have meticulously woven sustainable measures and practices into the fabric of the design to achieve the best possible outcome in providing a sustainable solution and ensuring that the proposed Mall of Limassol stands as a paragon of responsible development.
Tsiartziazis points out that a responsible approach does not necessarily have to mean a more expensive solution. “When all the parties in the process are aligned and dedicated to support a sustainable approach wonders can be done within the same normal design effort ” he continues.
Gerber adds that it is important to ensure that sustainability practices are being implemented in the full lifecycle of a development, which means from the design to the construction to the operation of the completed development.
The team is therefore exploring several key sustainability elements within the development lifecycle, including energy-efficient building designs that minimise energy heat loss and incorporates high-performance building material solutions. “We aim to keep the development’s carbon footprint to the minimum by reducing building energy loss (heat), specifically heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the building, utilising a high-performance building envelope, which relates to the exterior “shell’ of the building (walls, roof, windows and doors). Additionally, we have made provision for shading fixtures and identified equipment and material with specific certified energy efficient performance criteria,” Tsiartziazis explains.
In addition to creating an effective building envelope to prevent energy loss (heat) or transfer, Atterbury Europe plans to harness the abundant Cypriot sunshine with photovoltaic (PV) systems to generate renewable energy to supplement power usage in the mall. Moreover, the project will promote green energy transportation options, such as bicycle lanes, ample bike storage and electric vehicle charging stations. Various public bus stops are also available in close proximity to the development to facilitate additional public transport options.
Integrating green landscaping into the proposed new development is not only a requirement of the permitting process, but it will also be a major attraction for customers and our neigbours, fostering a friendly and natural community-enhancing environment. “Sustainable landscapes are not only responsive to re-generation of the environment, but actively contribute to the development of healthy communities by providing open green spaces for sequestering carbon, providing clean air and water, increasing energy efficiency, restoring habitats, and creating social value to the community in a calm open environment,” Tsiartziazis emphasises.
Water conservation is another critical focus for Atterbury Europe, with plans to deploy water-saving fixtures and explore alternative water sources to safeguard Cyprus’s precious water reserves. Tsiartziazis elaborates, “Protecting diminishing natural resources such as clear potable water is of paramount importance, especially in Cyprus where it is already a scarce resource. To conserve potable water through the operational phase of the proposed development we plan to meter all water flows to mitigate the risk of having unaccounted water losses. We also plan to install low flow and automated water fixtures to reduce water consumption during use and will explore other water sources (grey water and rainwater) for re-use in the development. Additionally, we intend to select green landscape plant species with high drought tolerance to minimise irrigation requirement whilst maintaining a beautiful green space.
In the operational phase, the proposed mall will adopt a robust waste management policy. “An effective waste management system will be in place to reduce landfill waste and contribute to a circular economy through the reuse and recycling of materials back into the industry, confirms Tsiartziazis.
Atterbury Europe’s commitment to sustainability in the proposed Mall of Limassol is a testament to their dedication to not only meet current needs but also preserve the environmental integrity for the future. It’s a bold step towards creating a legacy of sustainability in the heart of Cyprus.
