Speedwell Is Developing An ESG Strategy To Advance Its Sustainability Practices

Speedwell is steadily increasing its portfolio in Romania, one project at a time. To go one step further towards greener building practices, the company is developing an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy that will contribute to the development of more sustainable projects.

A track record of sustainability

Speedwell is known for its consistent track record when it comes to sustainable buildings. The company’s focus on reducing its environmental footprint by using innovative techniques and technology is reflected in its expanding portfolio.

“To us, sustainability is more than a trend; it is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. One of Speedwell’s core values is the development of durable projects that people can enjoy for a long time. We see it as a duty to the residents of cities to build projects that are not only high-quality, but also sustainable. We do that by using modern technology and materials that enhance energy efficiency and protect natural resources. The company believes in being mindful of the environment because we want our legacy to be sustainable and we want it to last. As a step further in this direction, we are creating an ESG strategy to help us improve what we are already doing.” says Didier Balcaen, the CEO and Co-Founder of Speedwell.

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SPEEDWELL starts the construction of the second residential building of the PALTIM mixed-use project in Timisoara

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Transit Oriented Development and green certifications

The developer’s sustainability goals are already being reflected by developments that have secured internationally acknowledged certifications. The company implements concepts such as urban renewal, mixed-use projects, and Transit Oriented Development (TOD). For instance, RECORD PARK in Cluj-Napoca is a TOD-based urban regeneration mixed-use project, which also features a BREEAM Excellent certification, for both its residential and office component. THE IVY, Speedwell’s residential project in northern Bucharest, has been designed to receive the BREEAM Excellent certification as well. Furthermore, it has been certified as a Green Homes project. In proximity to THE IVY, Speedwell also developed MIRO, an office building which together with THE IVY creates a mixed-use project.

“All our projects are based on the TOD concept, which equals inserting day-to-day services into developments that combine multiple components, such as residential, office, and retail elements. This results in improved living standards, as well as less pressure on the already crowded urban areas and roads.” adds Jan Demeyere, Architect and Co-Founder for Speedwell.

Besides the TOD element, MIRO features the BREEAM Excellent and WELL certifications, emphasizing its focus on users’ health and respect for natural resources.

Urban rejuvenation

The developer strongly believes in rejuvenating and bringing new life to city areas that have been overlooked and are not being used by residents. For instance, PALTIM (main photo), a new mixed-use project in Timisoara, was built on the site of a former hat factory. The same recipe will be applied to the company’s newly-acquired land in Bucharest, on Calea Grivitei, a well-connected central area. This is a former industrial site where Speedwell is planning to build a project that will provide a mix of components: residential, office, retail, and leisure.

“We have taken plenty of sustainability measures, but we want to create a better framework to bring all these measures together, and we are sure we can do that with the help of an ESG strategy.” mentions Didier Balcaen.