Sustainable Development & Management: Managing the built environment of the future
Strata Community Association’s (SCA) vision is to unite the industry and raise our influence to create liveable, green, efficient and smart strata communities.
Driven by the global megatrends of sustainable development, urban densification and connected technology, Australasia’s strata industry is facing a period of significant change and opportunity.
Booming real estate prices and urban sprawl have redefined the home ownership dream, as more of us swap traditional quarter acre blocks for apartment living to be near work, friends and amenities.
Uniquely positioned at the heart of growing urbanisation, strata industry will play an increasingly powerful and influential role in ensuring the built environment of the future is home to healthy, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous communities.
As the voice of Australasia's strata community sector, SCA is committed to educating, inspiring and supporting its members to lead the way and reap the economic, social and environmental benefits offered by sustainable development.
What is sustainable development?
While issues like climate change, waste and renewable energy often steal the headlines, SCA defines sustainable development as an approach to managing the built environment that balances economic, social and environmental benefits.
The only way to make significant and lasting change is to ensure sustainable development works for all stakeholders in the strata ecosystem from owners, residents, strata communities and developers to service providers, employees, strata managers, government and industry associations.
Underpinning our vision are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
Strata community goals
Liveable
Communities that are safe, inclusive, healthy and harmonious create desirable residences that are more valuable assets.
Smart
Intelligent technology solves strata issues like access control, security and resident communication, and streamlines strata management.
Green
Developments that reduce the environmental impacts of waste, water and energy are cheaper to maintain and in high demand.
Efficient
Well-designed buildings minimise resident complaints, last longer, have lower running costs, command premium rent and offer greater ROI.
Why does it matter to you?
The conclusion is that not only are residents demanding sustainable developments, they are also prepared to pay a premium for liveable, green, efficient and smart communities to call home.
Doing business for good is good for business
Developers & Investors
With buyers and investors focusing on ethical and sustainable investments, the results are higher asset prices and rental yields.
Building Designers
Embracing sustainable projects and business practices not only increases your appeal, it means happier clients, better buildings, enhanced reputation and a stronger business.
Owners & Residents
People demand action on social justice and climate change. Businesses that demonstrate progress will attract customer loyalty and Employers.
SCA & Members
Through education, advocacy, leadership and recognition, we will raise the profile of the Strata sector to help members profit and prosper.
Strata Managers
Common complaints like noise, maintenance, security, compliance and communication are dramatically reduced by sustainable design.
Employers
Attracting and retaining talent, especially younger staff , now requires alignment in values and a commitment to a sustainable future.
Supply Chain
Growing demand for sustainably developed materials, services and solutions is an opportunity to stand out and grow your business.
Government
Built form impacts almost every government responsibility from education to healthcare and needs to be planned, designed and regulated to meet community needs.
We’re all in this together
One thing is certain, the only way we can overcome these global challenges and all benefit from the economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable development is to work together across the strata supply chain.
As a central player in the built environment, strata managers can have influence at every stage from planning, development and council approvals to community management and maintenance.
This holistic view of all the pieces of the puzzle gives us the opportunity, and responsibility, to raise our profile and start to take a leading role in bringing the industry together on the journey.
Let’s rise to the challenges of today and tomorrow
Many of the most common and persistent problems with strata communities can be resolved by applying sustainable development and design principles throughout the built environment cycle, which makes life better for everyone.
Issues with noise, water leaks, odour drift, security and safety, access control, slow repairs, sense of community and communication, can largely be designed out of buildings where the focus is on creating liveable, green, efficient and smart developments.
That’s why, as part of our vision, SCA is working towards developing deeper involvement of the strata sector in the planning, design and construction phases to proactively resolve potential problems before they happen.
How can your business support sustainable development?
1. Understand
Read, learn, upskill and discuss sustainable development as much as you can. SCA will share education, advice, tools and resources.
2. Assess
Start by benchmarking your performance and gaps. Take our Ready Reckoner for a personalised balanced scorecard and practical tips.
3. Commit
Sign SCA’s public declaration of commitment to sustainable development and embrace action, accountability and transparent reporting.
4. Take measurable action
Actions speak loudest. Through measurement and transparent reporting, we’ll publish data-driven evidence of our progress, individually and as an industry.
5. Be recognised
SCA is developing a formal sustainable accreditation program that enables members to publicly prove their commitment and action.
6. Lead Change
Share successes and publicise outcomes to inspire others to join the movement to create a sustainable future for all.
Be the change you want to see
To begin or accelerate your journey towards sustainable development, we invite you to join us where you’ll find resources and tools.
Get started by completing our Sustainable Development Ready Reckoner to receive your personalised Sustainable Development Benchmark Report.
Declaration of Commitment to Sustainable Development
Strata Community Association
will support its members by committing to the following sustainable development principles and actions:
Global Goals
Embrace the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to consider social, economic and environmental outcomes in all policies and decisions.
Net Zero
Acknowledge the need to achieve a net-zero economy.
Triple Bottom Line
Acknowledge that transitioning to a sustainable future for everyone, requires a focus on parallel impacts for economy, society and environment.
Diversity
Value diversity, recognising that it is a strength that gives resilience to communities, systems and organisations.
Urgency
Commit to setting ambitious timelines that urge immediate action and supporting the sector’s already rapidly accelerating progress towards a sustainable future.
Leadership
Nurture leaders and upskill staff to be equipped to participate in a fair, inclusive, and equitable transition to a sustainable future.
Education
Commit to educating and supporting ourselves, staff, customers and suppliers to better understand and advance sustainable development.
Collaboration
Acknowledge that government, business and society all play a critical role working together to solve these problems, and commit to openly sharing knowledge and ideas.
Accountability
Be ethical and transparent in all actions through benchmarking performance, measuring results and publishing data driven evidence of progress
Alisha Fisher
Chief Executive Officer
Strata Community Association
David Morgan
Chief Executive Officer
SDG Align Pty Ltd