Construction and property development

Wereldhave Belgium's principle with regard to new developments is to achieve at least a BREEAM 'Good' rating, but preferably a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating. Energy and water reducing measures, attention for a healthy indoor environment and excellent accessibility by public transport make this score possible. The Nivelles shopping centre was awarded the 'Very Good' BREEAM design certificate in 2011. Examples of certain components of this certificate are: sustainable construction site management, solar panels and energy reducing measures, a healthy indoor lighting plan and water reducing measures. In order to achieve the BREEAM certificate in retail, cooperation with tenants is essential. Retailers set their own requirements when it comes to finishing and furnishing their shop (also called the 'fitting out'). To provide a broader base for sustainability in the shopping centres, (light) greenleases were concluded with new tenants. More about green leases can be found in the paragraph 'property management'.
The BLRW (Belgian- Luxembourgian Council of Shopping Centres) awarded Shopping Nivelles with the prizes for both the best and the most sustainable shopping centre. These prizes are awarded every two years.
The construction works regarding the projects in Gent Overpoort, Genk Shopping 1 and Tournai 'Les Bastions' are also subject to BREEAM assessments.

Although Wereldhave Belgium already applies a material checklist since the end of the nineties, this item can still be seen as one of its biggest challenges for the future. Shortage of raw materials for building materials will increase the coming decades. Careful consideration of materials and (construction) waste management are items in the internal materials checklist, the requirements for new projects and sustainability contracts with construction companies. In addition, during the previous year Wereldhave Belgium has taken measures for the safety of people who work in, for or at Wereldhave Belgium properties. Examples are roof safety and the installing of cameras in shopping centres and office buildings.