Eco-trends in the construction of residential complexes discussed in Kazan

Participants suggested opening recycling collection points in underground parking lots

The round table on the environmental principles in residential construction took place in the Executive Committee of Kazan. About 30 people attended the meeting, including representatives of developers committed to green initiatives, employees of DOM.RF, as well as a Russian environmental operator. Valeria Marshalova, director of the Komanda Strategic Management Agency, became a moderator of the discussion.

The participants were reminded that a sustainable development strategy is currently being developed in Kazan under the instruction of Mayor Ilsur Metshin. All city administration departments are involved in creating this document, which will be used their future operations. The strategy is expected to be finalized by the end of the year with the assistance of the Komanda Agency, which is responsible for implementing projects promoting environmental principles in various economic sectors, including housing construction.

Today, there are 78 developers in Kazan building 175 residential buildings with a total area of 1,776,000 square meters. It is essential that companies follow the «green» agenda. Maria Bevzyk, head of the investor relations and sustainable development department at Etalon Group, presented several environmental solutions. She said that the company designs and builds residential complexes in Kazan using information modeling technology: using a program, they develop design solutions that involve optimal building designs and energy-efficient engineering systems. Etalon Group monitors the use of resources and assesses risks: during the work, the company does not produce hazardous waste and all recyclable materials are transported to recycling facilities.

The company has also developed its own standards for creating a pet-friendly environment. This document outlines the guidelines for designing dog walking areas and the basics of planning walking routes for pets.

It is essential for developers to provide conditions for separate collection of food waste. Valeria Korosteleva, the head of the Russian Environmental Operator department, stated that organic products contaminate recyclables. To address this issue, it is recommended to install containers for collecting food waste or to drain them directly into the sewage system rather than taking them to landfills. She believes that it would be beneficial to immediately install food shredders in kitchen sinks.

Valeria Korosteleva suggested that developers to open eco-points in the underground parking lots of residential complexes in order to increase the collection of recyclables.

Artyom Seleznyov, a representative of DOM.RF, presented a cluster program for subsidizing project financing. DOM.RF has become the first development company in Russia to support construction in compliance with environmental principles at its own expense. The speaker also shared information about the training course «Green standard for multi-apartment residential buildings» developed by the company.