Six Leadership Principles
GCA applies six 6 principles to its development work. In so doing we seek to take a leadership position in the sustainable urban development market.
1. We take an integrated, holistic approach to achieving sustainable outcomes
We recognize that a multi-disciplinary approach is fundamental to maximizing environmental outcomes in the planning, design and delivery of new, large scale city projects.
A high level of interdependence exists between the key environmental targets of energy management, waste management, water management and transport/traffic management in the task of achieving targeted reductions in GHG emissions.
Our holistic approach also applies to our understanding of sustainability as a quadripartite concept in which environmental, social, economic and cultural objectives must be achieved in a balanced way.
Sydney's Olympic Precinct - a sustainable
urban township in the making
2. We prioritize the planning and design process
Major projects having a life of 10 years or more require a strong founding idea which holds the project together over time.
A strong vision must be supported by a viable set of economic, environmental and social strategies. Together, these inputs help GCA develop a Place Strategy for the city/town/urban village.
GCA is also committed to achieving excellence in design – urban design, architecture design and landscape design – and realizing social and investment value from the design process.
Bath Western Riverside
Master Plan
3. We draw ‘best-in-class’ resources from around the world to achieve excellence in
our development activities
GCA’s “Green Team” represents a world class grouping of local and international organizations that have shown leadership in the planning, design, development and management of sustainable projects and the promotion of green growth outcomes.
Our partners also include not-for-profit organizations, academic institutions and investment bodies who ‘understand’ the responses/actions that cities must take to address the urban challenges before us.
4. We take a ‘greener than green’ approach to development
GCA is a green developer. It believes that all developers have a responsibility to act in a socially responsible manner and to minimize the environmental impact of their activities. Where feasible, GCA will seek to be “Climate +ve”1 for large-scale neighbourhood type development projects and achieve high Green Building Council (or equivalent) standards for individual building projects.
Our company works with leading climate architects, environmental solutions consultants together with local and international green building organizations to test the envelope of each development situation.
Clinton Foundation's
Climate + Initiative
5. We promote partnerships with government, business and the communities with
whom we operate
Whilst a partnership approach is now common in many areas of business, the property development industry has been slow to adopt this enlightened approach to business.
GCA is committed to developing partnerships built on trust and common goals. The achievement of high-level environmental performance standards requires all parties to rethink their normal modus operandi. Only in a true partnership can this level of co-operation take effect.
6. We specialize in the practice of place-making
GCA sees itself as a ‘place maker’ rather than a developer of buildings, as our goal is to create great places for people to live, work, and enjoy their leisure time.
Our focus in on optimizing the human experience – hence the planning and design of new development areas must start from the viewpoint of how people will experience the places and spaces under study. At the same time, this process must fall within a commercial framework that will facilitate development and satisfy the required risk:reward relationship.
Model developed by US not-for-
profit organization, Project for Public Spaces
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