Urbanity Campus Tachov Achieves Prestigious BREEAM Communities Certification
Urbanity Campus Tachov, a suburban industrial area, has recently been awarded the prestigious international certification of BREEAM Communities. This comprehensive certification evaluates sustainability and quality of life in significant urban areas and their contributions to local communities. The campus has achieved two significant milestones: it is the first urban district in the Czech Republic to receive this accolade and the first certified project with a predominant manufacturing focus in the world.
The certification, at least at the „Excellent“ level, will not only recognize the project as a whole but also its exceptionally efficient buildings. The BREEAM Communities assessment manual is divided into three parts – from addressing sustainable development principles at the locality level, through the urbanism of the project itself, to a detailed design describing aspects such as energy management, landscaping, transportation solutions, and more.
„Our vision is the development and transformation of brownfields with traditional industrial production into modern campuses with a pleasant and attractive working environment at the highest level. At the same time, we intend to apply functional ecological solutions – including a focus on renewable resources, sustainable technologies, and blue-green infrastructure in line with our ESG strategy. This is how we plan to certify our upcoming projects as well,“ adds Roland Hofman, co-founder of the Urbanity group.
„Thanks to the Urbanity team’s successful acquisition of the BREEAM Communities certification, Urbanity Campus Tachov has become the first industrial area with this recognition in the Czech Republic and the only certified industrial campus with a predominant manufacturing function worldwide,“ emphasized Vendula Běťáková from the consulting firm Grinity, which handles certification for the Urbanity group.
Located in the suburban area of Tachov, Urbanity Campus Tachov spans approximately 22 hectares and houses production halls with administrative facilities and a central building with all the necessary amenities for employees and the community. The campus also includes a forest park and over 60,000 square meters designated for future development. The construction of a production hall for the French company Eurostyle Systems, specializing in robotic production of plastic moldings, has recently been completed, complementing the activities of existing companies in the campus. Tachov has a historical significance in the plastics industry, with a notable Czech company, Plastimat, commencing operations here as early as 1967.
The BREEAM Communities certification for sustainable urban areas and public spaces is primarily designed to assess larger territorial units containing a variety of structures. The certification confirms that the project creates a healthy and sustainable ecosystem with a clear beneficial impact on the community and surroundings. It positively and considerately contributes to the urban, economic, and social development of the entire area, expanding local amenities and transportation and technical infrastructure. To meet its needs, the project utilizes green energy and local resources, while offering local communities and municipalities opportunities to influence key decisions regarding their development.
The construction of next-generation industrial areas in the form of campuses is one of the main activities of the Urbanity group. The company’s vision is to create environments tailored to the needs and comfort of employees. Long-term tenants of these campuses can easily become preferred employers in entire regions.
„In our campuses, we aim to provide above-standard civic and technical amenities not only to clients and their employees but also to the local communities of which we are a part. Campuses place a strong emphasis on design and architecture and are always easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, and on foot,“ concludes Ondřej Šetka, project director of Urbanity Campus Tachov.
In conclusion, the achievement of the BREEAM Communities certification by Urbanity Campus Tachov underscores the commitment to sustainability, community well-being, and innovative industrial development, setting a benchmark for future projects in the region and globally.