Property developer IJM Land is putting about 5 per cent of the construction costs of the Penang waterfront project into green-related technologies.
Property developer IJM Land Bhd's efforts in turning "The Light" waterfront project into Penang's first green development, will see the company putting about 5 per cent of its construction costs into green-related technologies.
Its managing director Datuk Soam Heng Choon said the company is fine-tuning basic design or passive design to cut its reliance on high-technology products for IJM Land's flagship waterfront development in Penang, which carries a development value of RM5.5 billion.
Among others, emphasis will be placed on tapping into natural lighting and cross-ventilation of buildings.
"Our first approach is to reduce materials usage for the project, rather than specifically source for recycled materials," he told Business Times.
Referring to the use of optic cables as an example, Soam said a single core of fibre optics would tremendously reduce a lot of copper cables and yet provide better quality of service to the occupants.
"However we are still sourcing for appropriate sustainable recycled materials for this project, where possible," he said.
Among the few green construction materials identified by IJM Land so far include recycled pavers and composite timber.
The Light, which serves as IJM Land's crown jewel, spans 60.8ha of reclaimed land along the eastern coastline of Penang island. The project stretches from the Penang Bridge to the city centre.
IJM Land is the property arm of IJM Corp Bhd, and is the result of a merger of IJM Properties Sdn Bhd and RB Land Holdings Bhd.
Phase one of The Light is a 16.8ha residential precinct which includes The Light Linear and The Light Point condominiums.
Both The Light Linear and Light Point will be built according to green standards.
Soam said IJM Land, which is working towards complying with Malaysia's Green Building Index (GBI) certification, said rainwater harvesting would be incorporated to reduce water consumption for landscape purposes.
"We also plan to provide a dedicated space for the recycling of household waste for all residents of The Light.
"Educational talks on recycling will be conducted regularly for residents and proceeds from the recycling programme can be donated to charitable organisations," he said.
Apart from using energy-saving lights and air-conditioners with built-in invertor technology in every unit in The Light, Soam said that a centralised vacumn system would be fitted in all units of The Light Point and The Light Collections to reduce the amount of airborne particles that might be reintroduced into the habitable space.
On the advantages of having these green-technology items installed in each unit, Soam said that the inverter air-conditioner, for instance, could help the user lower the power consumed by 60 per cent. - By Marina Emmanuel (Business Times)
4 comments
IJM is quick to make this announcement. I foresee many developers doing the same in view of the Green Building Index incentives as shown belwo. Buyers should check if they will benefit from this as well:
a) Owners of buildings awarded the Green Building Index (“GBI”) certificate be given tax exemption equivalent to 100% of the additional capital expenditure incurred to obtain the GBI certificate. The incentive is applicable for new buildings and upgrading of existing buildings. The incentive is given only for the first GBI certificate issued in respect of the building. The proposal is effective for buildings awarded with GBI certificates from 24 October 2009 until 31 December 2014.
b)Buyers of buildings and residential properties awarded GBI certificates bought from real property developers are eligible for stamp duty exemption on instruments on transfer of ownership of such buildings. The amount of stamp duty exemption is on the additional cost incurred to obtain the GBI certificate. The incentive is given only once to the first owner of the building. The proposal is effective for sale and purchase agreements executed from 24 October 2009 until 31 December 2014.
noble,
The article only mentioned about Green Technolog, but never mentioned about Green Building Index. Which means, the project may not be certified/recognised.
Anyone can learn and know how to ride a motorcycle, but not all of them have legal license.
Another article in Oct 2008 from IJM's own website originally said that the project was going for LEED (a US Green Building standard), and seems like the plan has been aborted.
Anyone knows why?
thanks Voice, I agree with u on the motorcycle analogy
This is what we call "Marketing" :)
These people are good in using the right word, to confuse the public :(