Checklist

This checklist has been developed to help the construction industry improve in terms of its sustainability with regard to planning, design, the construction process and the finished product.

Sustainability has been divided in the traditional manner: Economic, Social and Environmental sustainability.

Economic sustainability

Planning

• For large-scale housing, mixed use and civils projects, report on relevant factors in regional or local economic strategy, and how development will promote viability.

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Design

• Use the DQIs, to develop appropriate levels of functionality and flexibility.
• Appraise options using whole life costing.
• Design for accessibility.

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Construction process

• Use the KPIs
• Maximise opportunities for local businesses, labour and training.

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Finished product

• See environment. Consider maintenance, operational (energy, water etc.) product and staff costs. Use feedback measure and tools (e.g. Post Occupancy Evaluation.)

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Social sustainability

Planning

• See economic. Respond to regeneration impacts required in regional or local economic strategies.
• Use data from public consultations and participation.
• For high density, mixed-use developments plan for high quality public space and safe public transport accessibility.
• Larger schemes require affordable housing, and a mix of housing types and tenures.

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Design

• Use the DQIs, to engage everyone in the design process.

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Construction Process

• Use the Respect for People toolkits
• Register sites with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and use Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

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Finished product

• See environment. Consider staff costs, e.g. maximising satisfaction and productivity through a healthy environment.
• Encourage community use of buildings, through the DQIs or as policy.

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Environmental sustainability

Holistic environmental assessment tools have been developed: SPeAR, BREEAM Offices, Retail and Industrial, EcoHomes, CEEQUAL (civil engineering), Bespoke BREEAM for one-off projects, and the 'Sustainability Checklist for Developments'. If a demonstration project is using such a scheme or an equivalent, it passes this section. However assessment is sometimes inappropriate, so the following checklist could be applied. The EPIs provide a set of benchmarks for site and building performance.

Planning

• Reuse land. Treat contaminated land on-site.
• Reuse buildings. Plan the footprint of the building with ecological features in mind.
• Consider how building users will travel to and access the site, and facilities and amenities nearby.

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Design

• Design for minimum waste of materials. Provide facilities for the minimisation and management of waste.
• Protect and enhance biodiversity using the biodiversity EPI. Ensure natural features can be easily managed and maintained.
• Specify local and low environmental impact materials (e.g. use A-rated specifications from the Green Guide or equivalent and timber from certified well-managed forests). Use the embodied energy EPI.
• Optimise passive energy use (e.g. solar gain). Minimise energy use (e.g. lighting, heating/cooling, ventilation, insulation). Consider CHP and renewable energy sources. Use the operational energy EPI. Fit submetering and intelligent building monitoring systems.
• Specify flexible information and communication services.
• Ensure high indoor air quality through effective ventilation, and specifying materials, finishes and cleaning products with minimal harmful effects.
• Specify zero ozone depletion and low NOxsystems and materials.
• Ensure fittings are low water volume. Consider rainwater and grey water recycling. Consider permeable design for hard landscaping. Use the water EPI. Fit sub-metering.
• Discourage single-occupant car use, through public transport and cycling provision, making the development safe and secure, providing showers and changing rooms.
• Consider ease of operation and maintenance through commissioning time and documentation.
• Consider daylighting, ventilation, humidification, personal control, and space for well-being and comfort. The DQIs consider a range of environmental criteria.
• Design for flexibility or deconstruction with minimum waste.

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Construction Process

• Manage for minimum waste, using the waste EPI. Reuse waste on-site. process Protect and enhance existing ecological features (trees, hedges, ponds etc.) using the biodiversity EPI.
• Minimise air pollution (dust and fumes) and noise pollution.
• Minimise water use during construction, and guard against pollution.
• Consider transport to and from site using the transport EPI.
• Consider energy use through plant and site services.

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Finished product

• Manage building systems, ecological features and waste for maximum product efficiency considering the design.
• Use post occupancy evaluation and feedback.
• Follow the design criteria for maintenance, repairs and refurbishment.

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