A major challenge in green building is figuring out how to maintain affordability. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has a four-part strategy to increasing investment in green building, including investment and advisory for banks and the building sector, green building codes and incentives, and EDGE certification. A successful example of this investment and certification strategy on the ground is Imperial Homes’ low-income solar powered homes in Iriga City, Philippines.
This development, known as Victoria Highlands, is Iriga City’s first solar powered development. It borrows Connovate technology, which was developed in Nordic countries, in order to construct these buildings in a fast but high-quality way. With the option of townhomes, duplexes, and single attached homes, this development and its variety of housing typologies have 24-access to solar solutions, which provide savings for residents, along with protect from brown-outs in the area. And through a simplified portfolio approach, utilizing similarities in the design of these units, Imperial Homes is using EDGE certification to ensure the sustainability of Victoria Highlands.
Sources:
Cairncross, L. and Naicker, E. (2020) Green innovation for long-term affordability, Housing Finance International. 34(3): 39-44.
Imperial Homes Corporation (n.d.) Victoria Highlands.
Link: https://www.imperialhomescorp.com/listings/tiarra-premiere-victoria-highlands/
Musić, R. (2021) Building the business case for green affordable housing. Enterprise Development & Microfinance. 32(3): 179–192. Link: https://doi.org/10.3362/1755-1986.21-00013