A definition of development sustainability is "the continuation of benefits after major assistance from the donor has been completed" (Australian Agency for International Development 2000).
Ensuring that development projects are sustainable can reduce the likelihood of them collapsing after they have just been finished; it also reduces the financial cost of development projects and the subsequent social problems, such as dependence of the stakeholders on external donors and their resources. All development assistance, apart from temporary emergency and humanitarian relief efforts, should be designed and implemented with the aim of achieving sustainable benefits. There are ten key factors that influence development sustainability.
Encourage the stakeholders (men and women) to genuinely participate in design and implementation. Build on their initiatives and demands. Involve them in monitoring the project and periodically evaluating its results.
Training stakeholders to take over should begin from the start of any project and continue throughout. The right approach should both motivate and transfer skills to people.
Development projects should be aligned with local government policies.
In some countries and sectors, financial sustainability is difficult in the medium term. Training in local fundraising is a possibility, as is identifying links with the private sector, charging for use, and encouraging policy reforms.
Activities that integrate with or add to local structures may have better prospects for sustainability than those which establish new or parallel structures
The introduction of new ideas, technologies and skills requires an understanding of local decision-making systems, gender divisions and cultural preferences.
All outside equipment must be selected with careful consideration given to the local finance available for maintenance and replacement. Cultural acceptability and the local capacity to maintain equipment and buy spare parts are vital
Poor rural communities that depend on natural resources should be involved in identifying and managing environmental risks. Urban communities should identify and manage waste disposal and pollution risks
In a weak economy, projects should not be too complicated, ambitious or expensive.
A short-term project may be inadequate for solving entrenched problems in a sustainable way, particularly when behavioural and institutional changes are intended. A long-term project may, on the other hand, promote dependence.
Using the sun’s natural emissions to harvest energy for light power and water heating. Even in dull days where the sun doesn’t appear to be out, solar emissions can still be harvested.
Wind Turbines – in open areas these can harvest the natural phenomenon that is wind and convert the same into energy.
Thermal Mass – Using dense material will act as storage of the excess heat from solar gain during the day and allow this to dispel during the evening and overnight. In colder days the mass will absorb the cold air thus increasing the ambient temperature. Concrete and masonry are prime examples of this.
Our social responsibility does not end with the environment.
We consider all aspects when designing our developments and accessibility by those less able bodied is a criteria we adopt. As with the UK building market, the Disability Discrimination Act dictates that everyone should have access to services being provided and we at Crown Developments cherish this view and our schemes are designed to meet the needs of those who require a little bit of special consideration when navigating around developments and complexes.
That is why we employ British designers to add that extra value into our schemes to cater for everyone and to allow no one to be discriminated against when purchasing one of our prestige apartments or villas.
Global warming and climate change have been at the forefront of the news recently with damage to the environment and ways to reverse the effect of CO2 emissions being key areas of discussion from political standing to the protection of the next generations to come.
We at Crown Developments identify the need to play a significant role in the protection of the environment and incorporate environmentally friendly and sustainable practices into our developments from the outset.
Created within our scenic and historically located development schemes in Bulgaria we have identified the following key issues to help the effect of global warming and protect the environment;
