SLDI Guiding Principles
From SLDI Knowledge Project
While these nine principles have universal application, the specific practices and processes (and ultimately, the products and services) that provide the greatest leverage (ease of implementation) and value (ROI) depends on the specific context of each individual project. However, there exist a number of best practices which can construct a model for decision-making on any specific project. Not every best practice is practical or effective on every project, but working through the decision model can result in a project which delivers maximum sustainability.
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[edit] Profit (Economic Capital)
The two profit guiding principles are "create value" and "eliminate waste."
[edit] Create Value
Maximizing financial value for all stakeholders is vital to the success, and overall sustainability, of every project. Financial value can be added throughout the process in a number of finance specific areas, identified here.
[edit] Eliminate Waste
The budgeting and cost control practices throughout the project are vital to maximize the return on investment of the project. SLDI offers a three-part webinar educational series, called, “Developing for Profit,” which covers the proven best practices in budgeting, scheduling, bid and contract management, and land, real estate and parcel management. By being effective in these areas, returns can easily double. Minimizing unnecessary expenses associated with the project is definitely a “killer app” in terms of maximizing financial return.
[edit] Profit / Planet
[edit] Recognize Interdependence
By including all of the stakeholders with a variety of interests throughout the planning and design process, and by expanding the scope of interest beyond the confines of a specific project to include the neighborhood, the municipality, the local watershed, and beyond, development teams are well on the way toward achieving the optimal economic and environmental returns on investments. Over the longer-term, there can be no economic capital without preserving and maximizing environmental capital.
[edit] Planet (Environmental Capital)
[edit] Model Nature
The purest and most valuable form of environmental stewardship is to model our natural systems in our developments. All the sustainable technology and intellgence necessary can be found by understanding and modeling our natural systems in our developments. This can be best achieved through two related areas of study – Biomimicry and Biophilic Design.
[edit] Biomimicry
Biomimicry is an emerging discipline that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Biomimicry can be put into practice for sustainable land development in many ways, identified here.
[edit] Biophilic Design
Human beings have an innate and evolutionarily based affinity for nature. Biophilia is defined as, “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.” Connecting developments to nature equals success from an environmental, social and financial context. Biophilic design can be applied in many ways, identified here.
[edit] Energy Flows
Capturing and leveraging our natural energy systems through renewable energy sources and biological materials is the nature of this principle. Additionally, minimizing the amount of non-renewable energy and pollutants used throughout the product manufacturing, use, maintenance and reuse (cradle to cradle) is vital to achieving best practices with the Energy Flows guiding principle.
[edit] Planet / People
[edit] Humans and Nature Co-exist
By incorporating natural “no-impact” development techniques, identified here, land development can deliver a sustainable imprint that not only has no impact, but can restore the natural systems to greater health.
[edit] People (Social Capital)
[edit] Accept Responsibility
It is the every development professional'sAccept_Responsibility ethical responsibility to assume leadership over the vision and values for his/her project. Including all stakeholders throughout the development process, effectively communicating the vision and values, gaining buy-in, and ensuring optimal implementation and the achievement of the vision is without a doubt a “Best Practice.”
[edit] Quality of Life
By focusing on the innovative ways to meet and exceed the community’s quality-of-life needs, land development can provide unique value to communities within and beyond the immediate scope of the project in question.
[edit] People / Profit
[edit] Share Knowledge
Without sharing the knowledge gained through the project development process to other stakeholders in the project, projects can become unsustainable. It is vital to communicate effectivelyShare_Knowledge in order to sustain the original intent for all projects through a knowledge transfer mechanism, so future owners and stakeholders can maintain the sustainability of a project indefinitely. Further, sharing knowledge gained on a specific project to stakeholders throughout the industry will help improve the professional status of the industry in the public’s eyes, and will play an important role in ensuring our sustainable future for all time.
