| Sustainable Tourism Resorts
The criteria orienting the concept and design of large tourism resorts are evolving, as regulatory constraints become tighter and demands from users increase in sophistication. Enhanced concerns about the Quality of the Built Environment impose a new multi-disciplinary approach from viability to design, construction and operations of the resorts.
The approach to sustainability, aiming for a net-neutral environmental impact, can be aligned along three main vectors, to be considered under a complete life-cycle perspective: the reduction of the global impacts resulting from the development, the minimisation of local impacts and the environmental valorisation of the internal and external spaces.
The solutions vary for each location and development type, as the local balances and available resources differ for each case. In the assessment of the most suitable strategies, the role of M+E engineering consultants is critical, from the very early stages of planning all the way to the long term operations.
Looking, for example, at energy use, the goal is not only to achieve an overall reduction in consumption but also to rationalise the balance between the locally available renewable resources and the external (fossil fuel based) energy sources. This must lead to favourable results throughout the life-cycle of the development, both from the environmental impact point of view and in terms costs. It requires advanced planning and tight integration with all parties involved over the whole life of the resort, from master planning to infrastructures, urban and building design, construction and operations.
The role of First Q is to help developers and designers finding the right solution for each case. With this in mind, First Q has developed special competence centres in Sustainable Design Services and in Building Simulation, two areas of particular relevance in the search for sustainable solutions and low carbon emissions.
Luis Burnay
First Q General Manager |
In this issue we talk to Juan Gallostra Isern, Managing Director of First Q´s Company in Spain, Grupo JG Consulting Engineers. He gives his views about the essential link between university research and the engineering industry.
