That’s being led in no small part by architect Josef Quraishi (36), whom Melrose Arch owner Amdec recently lured away from architectural firm Osmond Lange, the original master planners of the mixed-use precinct.

Amdec has asked Quraishi to oversee the precinct’s final development phase. With only 60% of the property developed to date, another 160000m² of retail, office, hotel and residential space will be added to Melrose Arch over the next five years. That will take its value from the current R4,5bn to R10bn.

With a master’s in architecture, two degrees and a thesis on urban sustainability from the LMU in London, Quraishi clearly has the credentials to position Melrose Arch as SA’s foremost example of new urbanism — the idea that neighbourhoods should have a mix of easily accessible places to work, play and live in. But he’s quick to debunk the notion that terms such as new urbanism, carbon footprints, green leases and the like are nothing more than intellectual buzz words.

Quraishi says now that everybody is jumping on the environmental bandwagon, there is a danger that sustainable development could become just another cliché.

“Sustainable development and new urbanism design principles have real, practical implications and address many of the critical issues of our time: rapidly rising electricity and fuel costs, urban decay, traffic congestion and crime.”

Quraishi says energy consumption will become increasingly important in the SA property development context. “What one can expect to pay for electricity and water will in future play a fundamental role in the buying and renting of residential and commercial property in SA .”

In the UK, for instance, no-one can sell their home without obtaining an energy performance certificate. This is influencing home buying decisions in Britain, as it is a useful tool to compare potential costs for electricity and gas usage.

So how do SA developers introduce new urbanism and sustainable development principles to built environments? Quraishi says in essence, it’s about connection and integration: creating an environment where people can live, work and play within safe walking distance, yet still have easy access to transport nodes. “It does away with over-reliance on motor vehicles. At the same time, it creates a sense of community, allowing people more time to engage with one another face to face.”

However, Quraishi says now that everybody is jumping on the environmental bandwagon, there is a danger that sustainable development could become just another cliché. He believes too many developers are flying the green flag for the wrong reasons. “Some feel obliged to tick all the green boxes to score reputational points. But it is a missed opportunity to design a green property but build it in the wrong place.”

He says there’s no point in developers producing remotely located “green” environments if in 20 years’ time no-one can afford the petrol to get there. Sandton is a prime example of what new urbanism should not be. Says Quraishi: “Sandton’s infrastructure wasn’t designed to accommodate a huge influx of cars. And it discourages a walkable, outdoor lifestyle where people connect outside the office, as no-one walks outdoors from their home to the shops or restaurants, even if they live in close proximity.”