Conference on sustainable buildings in Africa

Cape Town - A new conference in Nairobi will explore sustainability for Africa's buildings.

According to the organisers of the Sustainable Properties Africa Conference and Exhibition (Space), it brings together real estate decision-makers and the clean energy sector. Building with sustainable methods and materials is also the most cost-effective way to ensure a long-term profitable future, in their view.

The event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi from June 13 to 14.

Space is the brainchild of Matthew Weihs, managing director of Bench Events, who has realised the continent’s huge potential during seven years running the on-going Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF).

Space will cover the most efficient ways to build and operate hotels, commercial buildings, public sector and mixed use developments and residential projects. It brings together investors, major hotel groups, real estate owners and developers, as well as renewable energy experts, alongside architects, engineers and government officials.

The event is taking place during the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Inge Huijbrechts, global vice-president Responsible Business, The Rezidor Group, said: “It’s critical that the sustainable building conversation is had at investor level. In the growing Africa economies, sustainable buildings and infrastructure are possible. It allows countries and cities to leapfrog and create future-proof assets with important economic and ecological gains.”

Energy costs are one of the main barriers to profitability in Africa building projects. Sometimes they can leap by huge margins in the space of a year. Sustainable building can help insure against those unpredictable threats. There are already examples of best practice, particularly in South Africa and Morocco.

The conference aims to stimulate further success stories through workshops and panel sessions, covering leadership, the importance of government involvement, planning, regulation, materials, and how to accurately gauge return on investment.