On Friday, 31 October, Garden Cities NPC (RF) hosted its “Beyond the Green Guides” Workshop at the Northridge Coastal Estate Community Facility — a proudly 4-star Sustainable Precinct. The session, facilitated by Icologie, brought together key professionals from across the built environment value chain, including consultants, architects, contractors, and suppliers.
Collaborating for a Sustainable Future
Garden Cities is currently in the process of updating its Greening Our Supply Chain documentation, which outlines the organisation’s commitment to sustainable development. The framework focuses on water-sensitive design, sustainable energy use, responsible material selection and procurement, and waste minimisation. As part of this update, Garden Cities is eager to include the insights and experiences of its partners — showcasing the innovative work already being done to promote environmental sustainability from design through to implementation.
Inspiring Presentations and Practical Insights
Attendees were inspired by presentations from several industry leaders who shared their sustainability initiatives and included architects, innovators, suppliers and sub-developers. Following the presentations, participants took part in group discussions exploring key sustainability themes — waste, water, energy, and materials. These interactive sessions generated valuable ideas for driving sustainability further into the design and construction process.
Key Takeaways from the Workshop
Some of the ideas tabled during the discussions included:
- Introducing sustainability-focused briefs for architects and consultants.
- Promoting biophilic design to strengthen the link between people and nature.
- Setting realistic benchmarks and goals for 5- and 10-year sustainability horizons.
- Implementing lifecycle measurement tools and digital dashboards to track performance.
- Integrating smart home technology to enhance efficiency and resource management.
- Developing incentive and recognition programmes for suppliers, designers, and residents who champion sustainable design.
The Road Ahead
Insights gathered during the workshop will directly inform the update of Garden Cities’ Green Documents, establishing clear goals, benchmarks, and measurable outcomes for sustainable development, moving beyond the current Green Guides and into a new era of greener, smarter communities.
Garden Cities extends its sincere thanks to all participants for their contributions and enthusiasm. Together, we’re building not just homes but resilient, environmentally responsible communities for generations to come.
