Showcase of Sustainable Communities – BedZED, London of Britain   ( 2014/10/06 )

After our breathtaking tours in Germany, Sweden and Austria, we have arrived at the last stop on our journey – Wallington in South London. Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is Britain’s first urban carbon neutral development, compromising 82 homes which focus on sustainable living. Principles of renewable energy, green transport, eco-conscious construction, as well as water and waste recycling are massively implemented in the project. These measures are crucial in reducing the eco-footprint since 5% of energy generated globally is used to construct buildings and 45% is used during building occupancy. The scheme is not only environmentally friendly but also cost effective for its residents.
 
Bill Dunster, the architect, successfully brought this 1.6 hectare area to life. BedZED got public recognition and was shortlisted for Sirling Prize 2003 and received 2001 UK Solar Award. The outstanding project was completed and occupied in 2002, containing the follow green strategies: 
 
Energy
  • Utilize solar and biomass as the main alternative power sources
  • Electricity is generated from 777m2 of high-efficiency mono-crystalline photovoltaic panels in conjunction with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant
  • Waste heat from the engine jacket and exhaust is tapped by heat exchangers and is used to provide hot water
  • Energy efficient appliances are installed
 
Waste
  • A target was set to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill during construction to 5% of the total amount of the construction material used (by weight)
  • Waste generated during occupancy was targeted to be reduced by 60% through encouraging recycling and composting practices
  • Impressive 50% recycling rate
 
Materials
  • Embodied carbon of the materials was minimized as much as possible by sourcing most of their construction materials within a 35 mile radius of the site
  • 15% of the total amount of materials used were reclaimed or recycled
 
Transportation
  • The option of bulk home deliveries of groceries and organic food makes people easier to choose for green transport
  • No supermarkets provided nearby, which encourage residents to grow their own food
  • Decreased car ownership due to availability of car club, and other cheap and convenient green transportation options
  • A successful sustainable transport network is reliant on combining footpaths and cycle routes with public transport
 
Water
  • Combining water recycling and conservation strategies with specifying water efficient fittings and appliances
  • Green Water Treatment Plant was designed to clean all of the site’s wastewater so that the resulting ‘Green Water’ effluent could be reused to flush toilets and irrigate gardens
We hope you enjoy the ‘green’ journey with us throughout the months and gain a better understanding of sustainable communities around the globe. We will continue to update our blog with other interesting themes, stay tuned!

Photo Source: telex4 via flickr


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