Hong Kong leads the world for sustainable transport, according to the 2017 Sustainable Cities Mobility Index from Arcadis, a global design and consultancy for natural and built assets. The index was compiled for Arcadis by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) and explores mobility through three pillars of sustainability – social (People), environmental (Planet) and economic (Profit) – to develop an indicative ranking of 100 of the world’s cities.
Boosted by its innovative and well-connected metro network and a high share of trips taken by public transport, Hong Kong manages to achieve many of the aims of an effective urban transport system – enabling comprehensive mobility, creating economic opportunity and enriching the lives of citizens, business and tourists alike.
Cities benefiting from ‘money, mass or maturity’, namely high wealth, significant global cities, do not necessarily lead the ranking in sustainable urban mobility. Although these factors can help, we do see wealthy, large and/or older cities not automatically punching their ticket to sustainable urban mobility.
Aside from Hong Kong, two other Asian cities rank highly, taking two of the remaining top ten spots and matching the results of the 2016 Sustainable Cities Mobility Index. Modern metro systems, large airports and low usage of private vehicles help boost the rankings of developed Asian cities such as Seoul (4th) and Singapore (8th). It is however, a tale of two halves in Asia as other cities would score higher were it not for damaging levels of urban pollution and emissions while metropolises such as Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur are some of the world’s least sustainable for mobility.
European cities dominate the top of the overall Index, occupying seven of the leading ten spots. Zurich, Paris and Prague are the highest placed European cities, ranking second, third and fourth respectively, with strong scores in the Planet and Profit sub-indices due to established infrastructure, efficient metro systems and commitment to green technology.
North American cities are spread throughout the overall Index; while citizens of some American cities enjoy well-funded and comprehensive transport systems, many cities in the U.S. and Canada are undermined by a reliance on private vehicles and underdeveloped public transport options.
Pacific Star Development Limited (PSD), an ASEAN real estate developer, recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, PSD Singapore Pte Ltd (PSD Singapore), has partnered with DAMAC International, a property developer in the Middle East, to develop luxury properties in key cities across Southeast Asia over the next five years.
The partnership will see the two property leaders jointly develop high-end properties across ASEAN countries, with Malaysia and Thailand as primary markets, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. Both developers will collaborate on identifying prime locations in key gateway cities where they will jointly develop new residential, hospitality and retail projects.
“The partnership with DAMAC International is a perfect fit for PSD as both our goals for the Southeast Asian markets are aligned, and we are excited to find common grounds with such a well-established and respected player in the real estate industry,” said Glen Chan, CEO and Managing Director of PSD, who was recently named “2017 Malaysia Real Estate Personality of the Year” at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Malaysia) 2017.
“We are looking at a broad spectrum of development opportunities that capitalise on Southeast Asia’s rising urbanisation, favourable demographics and increasing tourism. DAMAC’s strengths are a clear advantage in these markets where it has demonstrated leadership in developing world-class projects, creating innovative sales and marketing strategies and optimising cost effective delivery approaches.”
Euro Auctions,worldwide auctioneers of industrial plant, construction equipment and agricultural machinery, has just announced its first ever ‘Timed Auction’ to be coordinated via its new Hong Kong operation, with the hammer day, to conclude all transactions, set for Thursday 07 December.
By late October over 200 consignments had already been assigned to this auction by loyal construction, rental and financial institutions in the region including significant consignments from Mitsubishi Bank and Wealth Mind, plus a number of smaller consignors. Significant early interest in this first Euro Auctions milestone timed auction has also been shown by bidders, not just in Asia, the Far East and Australasia, but from as far away as Central Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and North & South America.
“Our first physical Hong Kong sale last September was a resounding success, with approaching 500 bidders from over 40 countries registering for the event and over 70% of all winning bids being placed via the internet,” stated Jonnie Keys, Euro Auctions’ Commercial Manager. “Organising our first ever timed auction in the Asia and Pacific Rim region was therefore the logical next step in our development as it means equipment doesn’t have to be transported to a central location and busy buyers also have more flexibility in pre-placing bids plus they don’t have to attend on the day.”
Timed auctions differ from the established Euro Auctions sales concept as there is no live, physical auction to attend; instead bidders submit their maximum bid in advance and these are invisible to all other bidders. Bidding then starts at a reserve price at an allotted time with the automated auction system increasing bids in pre agreed increments on behalf of all registered interested bidders, up to their set maximum per lot. If someone’s maximum bid is outbid, the under-bidder is automatically sent an email inviting them to increase their maximum offer should they wish. Then when the ‘end time’ is reached, each lot goes to the highest bidder at the time, for their current bid, which may still be below the maximum they set.
This next step for Euro Auctions was driven by client feedback along with the general forecast for massive growth in the used construction equipment sector over the next few years in the Asia Pacific Rim, so demanding this type of auction. Establishing new auction facilities in Hong Kong and Dubai earlier this year were a key part of Euro Auctions’ global expansion plans and its robust, flexible and secure online sales platform, along with its ongoing global marketing campaign means it both reaches all prospective equipment buyers around the world plus enables consignors to provide detailed specifications for each individual lot in this sale.
Used construction equipment and machinery from major brands including Liebherr, Kato, Komatsu, CAT, Doosan, Hitachi and Volvo have already been consigned to this first Hong Kong Timed Auction. The inventory grows by the day and includes many low hours, quality used and almost new pieces of equipment, with key lots comprising: a growing selection of excavators ranging from 45 tonne down to 10 tonne, articulated dump trucks, 30 mobile cranes ranging from 220‑25 tonnes plus other associated equipment and smaller items such as generators and compressors .
Keys continued: “Traditional live auctions are still hugely popular with our loyal customers around the globe and will remain a key part of the Euro Auctions schedule; but we continually communicate with our customers and listen to their views and our first Hong Kong Timed Auction will further extend both our reach and appeal.”
Euro Auctions is providing full logistical support for this sale, including detailed machine specifications and making available upon request independent equipment reports. Advice on transportation and shipping costs for each piece of equipment to all the major shipping destinations around the World can also be provided.
Euro Auctions now hosts over 60 auctions a year including specialises off-site sales providing access to quality used equipment somewhere around the globe each week so buyers and sellers can now sell or acquire what they need with relative ease. Other upcoming Euro Auctions sales include one day sales in Brisbane, Australia on 16 November; in Zaragoza, Leeds on 22-24 November, Spain on 28 November; and in Dubai in the UAE on 11 December.
Further details and catalogues for all future auctions are available on the Euro Auctions website at www.euroauctions.com and separate Bidder Numbers are required to bid on any Lot at each event. In order to obtain a Bidder Number you must first register for whichever auction and bidders can then take part in one of three ways:
Established in 1998 Euro Auctions is the market leader in the UK, Ireland and Europe, conducting over 60 major auctions every year. It has permanent auction sites in the UK, Europe, Australia, the USA, and new facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong have just held their first auctions. Euro Auctions also specialises in off-site sales which included the largest ever one day auction of mobile cranes, where 127 units sold for €32m. Euro Auctions markets equipment globally to over 150,000 buyers in over 95 countries and also offer an online sales platform that is robust, secure and free to use.
For more information on this or any of the other auction sites operated by Euro Auctions, visit www.euroauctions.com, email info@euroauctions.com or contact Euro Auctions on 0044 (0) 2882 898262.
IDS GeoRadar, a leading provider of multi-frequency, multi-channel Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and interferometric technology solutions worldwide, today launched C-thrue, a radar-based technology solution specifically developed to support construction and service companies as well as civil and structural engineers to locate rebars, voids, post-tension cables, cavities, conduits and any other objects buried in the structure before cutting or drilling into the concrete.
The solution is suited for all construction sites and operations including building renovation, overpasses, bridges and tunnels surveys, as well as for detailed analysis of the original engineering project and comparison with the as-built structure.
The C-thrue software enables visualisation of 3D images to simplify data interpretation. Rebar/void automatic insight capabilities improve safety before cutting or drilling into the surveyed structure. The system also features augmented reality for data visualisation and sharing across operators – in real time or intervals after acquisition.
Data displayed on the C-thrue’s multi-touch display are not obscured by the handle and clearly displayed, highly increasing interaction with the product and overall user experience.
“C-thrue provides clearer, faster detection of both first and second levels of rebars. An automatic positioning and navigation system for assisted data acquisition supports users, eliminating the need for manual, error-prone paper grids, and further increasing data accuracy. As a result, their daily surveys become easier and more productive,” said Paolo Papeschi, manager of the IDS GeoRadar GEO business unit.
Kaer Pte Ltd, the Singapore-based Air Conditioning as a Service (ACaaS) provider, has released a paper documenting the fundamentals and benefits of the different business models that are available in the air conditioning sector.
With the current interest and move towards the ‘circular economy,’ and how it impacts the formerly conservative air conditioning sector, the paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the different air con provision models that are available, as well as the rise of the circular economy business model known as Air Conditioning as a Service (ACaaS).
Commenting on the impact of circular economy thinking on the air conditioning sector, Justin Taylor, CEO of Kaer, said: “ACaaS allows building owners, developers and users to outsource responsibility for their air con climate. Today we all subscribe to services like music, TV shows, entertainment and transport, and pay only for what we use. Why should air conditioning be any different? Our customers buy air conditioning from us by paying a fixed single rate for how much they have consumed. They do not have to pay for the capital cost of the plant, monitoring, repairs, maintenance, electricity and all other costs associated with the chiller plant system. We take the responsibility of buying and operating the plant, and reducing energy consumption from building owners. We take on all future costs related to operations and maintenance.”
ACaaS is becoming the norm with more than 10 such sites in Singapore. Under this model, developers and building owners outsource the ownership and operations of their air con system. Kaer designs, installs, finances, owns, monitors and operates the system within the building. Users only need to pay a single rate applied to the consumption of chilled water on a monthly basis. They do not have to pay for repairs, maintenance, electricity and all other costs associated with the system.
ACaaS was first seen in 2013 and is an example of the familiar concept of servitisation. Rolls Royce famously no longer supplies jet engines but provides airline operators with ‘power by the hour’ – a phrase it coined over 50 years ago. This is a win-win business model. Building owners can reduce their electricity costs and concentrate on their core business activities.
Besides helping building owners reduce capital expenditure and recurring maintenance costs, Kaer also undertake the responsibility of monitoring and controlling the indoor climate to maximise energy efficiency of the buildings, thus ensuring that the air con system is green and environmentally sustainable.
Singapore real estate company, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, has agreed to buy Asia Square Tower 2, part of a world-class commercial development in Singapore’s Marina Bay business and financial district. Real estate consultancy JLL advised on the transaction on behalf of the seller, BlackRock Asia Property Fund III. The sale represents the largest office transaction in both Singapore and the Asia Pacific region in 2017 and is the second largest office transaction globally this year.
“The sale of Asia Square Tower 2 continues the trend of buyers being attracted to mega deals in Asia. The sales process generated strong interest from major global investors and sends a clear message about the continued recovery of the Singapore office market,” says Stuart Crow, Head of Asia Pacific Capital Markets, JLL.
According to Greg Hyland, Head of Capital Markets, Singapore, JLL: “The Singapore office market is really starting to gain pace and this deal is likely to spur further interest, both domestically and internationally. Investors will be aware that we are at a point in the cycle where there is still the opportunity to get good value, but we expect prices to pick up in the coming quarters as supply starts to taper down between now and the end of 2019.”
The 46-storey Tower 2 has a net lettable area of 778,719 square feet. Asia Square Tower 1 was sold in June 2016 to sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority for S$3.4 billion (US$2.45 billion). The entire Asia Square asset, which comprises Tower 1, Tower 2 and the Westin Singapore, achieved a combined sale price of S$5.8 billion (US$4.3 billion). The three elements were sold in 2016, 2017 and 2014 respectively.
JLL has been the leasing agent and property manager of Asia Square since it opened in 2011. Tenants of Tower 2 include major financial institutions such as Allianz, Mizuho, Mitsui, National Australia Bank and Westpac.
The Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW) will return for its seventh year running, with the theme “Embracing Innovation, Building Our Future”. Organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) with strategic partner Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, the SCPW will be held at the Singapore Expo Max Atria and Hall 3 from 24 to 26 October, 2017.
This year’s theme reflects the critical role that technology plays in paving the future of construction in Singapore. There is huge potential for the built environment sector to improve its productivity and resource efficiency, streamline project management and processes, and enhance construction quality and safety through innovation.
SCPW 2017 will focus on two key areas – through the adoption of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD).
Mr Hugh Lim, Chief Executive Officer of the BCA, said: “We have seen technology disruption occurring across many sectors in recent times. Some might view it as a threat but for our sector, it presents opportunities for firms to build up their competitive edge and attract more Singaporeans to join their workforce.
SCPW brings together various stakeholders including technology solution providers, industry experts, as well as public sector agencies to help provide a platform for firms to learn more about the support and resources available for business growth and innovation. This will help firms to start embarking on their transformation journey.”
Highlights of this year’s SCPW include anchor events such as BuildTech Asia, the Build Smart Conference, an experiential workshop with site visits to projects adopting game- changing technologies as well as student competitions. There are also new line-ups this year, including:
ProTech Demonstration, where industry players can learn about the latest Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) technologies in the market and witness a live demonstration of construction building services with prefabricated MEP modules.
A showcase of productive and high quality architectural finishes as well as industry sharing on best practices and experiences in producing top quality construction work with the use of Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) at the inaugural Achieving High Quality PPVC Projects workshop.
The Regional Perspective to DfMA Construction workshop, which provides a platform for Singapore firms and international delegates to learn about the latest developments of DfMA technologies in the region. It also serves as a networking platform for firms to make new connections and explore overseas business opportunities.
Reinventing Smart Building and Construction through Technology According to BMI Research, Asia is expected to remain as the largest and one of the fastest growing construction markets in the world over the coming years due to Government-led infrastructure development initiatives in China, India and emerging markets in Southeast Asia. With a current pipeline of construction projects worth more than US$3.6 trillion in Asia, there is a significant market for construction technologies and solutions.
Echoing this, the 7th edition of BuildTech Asia is held in conjunction with the Singapore Construction Productivity Week, in Singapore Expo Hall 3. Organised by Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd and hosted by the BCA, the trade platform will feature smart building and construction solutions to help industry practitioners achieve greater efficiencies and contribute to the development of smarter cities.
BuildTech Asia 2017 will showcase the latest in SMART construction and productive technologies to address the challenges of building and construction across different vertical industries aside from the staple exhibits in construction machinery and equipment, building materials and architectural solutions, and quality finishes. The international building technology trade show is expected to attract the biggest gathering since its inception, with about 120 exhibiting companies and more than 8,000 trade visitors from over 30 countries across Asia Pacific and Europe.
Visit www.scpw.sg and www.buildtechasia.com for more information.
The Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) recently unveiled the masterplan for Jurong Lake District , the city’s future second Central Business District.
KCAP Architects&Planners leads a multi-disciplinary team consisting of SAA Architects, Arup, S333 and Lekker, and is responsible for many of the key ideas in the plan.
A Distinctive Identity The ambition is to develop the area into a new mixed-use business area built around the future Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail terminus. This will further anchor Jurong Lake District as Singapore’s second Central Business District. Qualities of the plan are its high- density mixed-use programme, which incorporates new waterways and a series of stacked horizontal landscape datum and connections that weave through the entire district. This helps create a distinctive identity for Singapore and its vision as a “City in the Garden”.
A Dialogue Between High-Density Urban Sustainability and Heritage The high-density urban typology maximises vertical urban greenery within a vertical city next to the beautiful Jurong Lake Gardens and creates a streetscape network for active mobility, walkability and interactive public spaces.
The integrated, sustainable urban systems maximise the streetscape by proposing to place all major transport and engineering below the city, which creates layers of optimised infrastructure and a car-lite district. Existing heritage buildings, landscapes and ecosystems are respected and repurposed in the new development.
With its strategic location, open environment and live-work-play programming, the area will become a new gateway to Singapore and can also be the new hub for a emerging science and innovation corridor in West Singapore.
A dedicated website for the project has been launched at www.jld.sg and a flythrough video of Singapore’s next CBD can be found here.
Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia, Southeast Asia’s leading trade exhibition for the green building market, kicked off with a bang at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Visitors from more than 50 countries are expected to attend the event to get a first-hand look into some of the latest innovations and insights in the Asian green building, HVAC-R, water, energy and heating industries. Taking place from 12-14 September 2017, BEX Asia is co-located with Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) Asia, the region’s leading trade exhibition for energy-efficient solutions that power industrial, commercial and residential buildings.
BEX and MCE Asia 2017, the key anchor trade exhibitions of Singapore Green Building Week (SGBW), are proud to be part of a larger movement contributing to the future well-being of our planet. The SGBW hosts a wide variety of events to galvanise the community to act on sustainability, reaching out to international green building experts, policymakers, academics, built environment practitioners, end-users, as well as members of the public and students.
Platform for the latest innovations in Asia
The BEX and MCE Asia exhibition floors brimmed with the latest green building and energy-efficient technologies, providing visitors with a broad view of the vast array of solutions driving meaningful change in Asia.
A key theme throughout the exhibition were smart devices that promise to power next-generation homes, offices and buildings. From smart lighting to data-driven energy management solutions, visitors were spoilt for choice by the latest innovations on display.
Companies debuting their latest solutions, ranging from smart-tinting glass to smart HVAC control valves, include AGC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, AL-SUS Technologies, Ariston, Belimo, KANSAI Paint Singapore, and Lumani.
Another unique feature is the Future Home, curated by Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd, which showcases the integration of building and sustainable innovation in the form of the most basic structure of living: a house. This feature aims to highlight that sustainable living starts from home, and with the right mix of solutions installed in a home environment, it provides a platform where one can easily work towards sustainable living. In these spaces, the visitor is educated on products that can specifically help them achieve cost savings on energy and water, thermal comfort, digital connectivity and environment wellbeing. Companies featured include AGC Asia Pacific, Cityneon, Ecosoftt, Greenology,Hubble, Hydrabath, Mobike, SoundEye , Waldmann Lighting and Whiteblack – Greenblue.
Some companies also launched products and solutions new to the Asian market, bringing global insights from countries like the Netherlands and Slovakia, to drive the development and adoption of smart, green technologies in Asia. Highlights include AET Flexible Space (an innovative underfloor air conditioning system), G3 Industry’s Finch Buildings (a portable and stackable building system), and TapHome (smart home energy management system).
Best and brightest industry minds come together
BEX Asia and MCE Asia’s seminar tracks, titled Green View and Mostra Xchange respectively, also commence today. Featuring a stellar line-up of industry experts, the seminars will kicked off with the Interior Design Confederation of Singapore (IDCS) Forum, which will feature experts discussing strategies for creating living spaces that are not only functional and aesthetic, but sustainable too.
“I am honoured to be able to participate in knowledge and information exchange with my industry peers in the coming days at MCE Asia’s Mostra Xchange,” said Mr Chan Chow Fong, Principal Engineer at ST Electronics (Satcom & Sensor Systems) Ptd Ltd. “Through our intensive R&D efforts over the years, ST Electronics has garnered deep insights into energy conservation that does not compromise user experience. I look forward to sharing these, as well as our experience in designing and deploying smart lighting systems. I’m excited at the prospect of hearing from other industry experts in various fields, as we strive to create more sustainable living environments in Asia and beyond.”
Over the next few days, attendees of the Green Viewseminars will be hearing from experts such as Mr Vincent Chow, CEO, En-trak Hong Kong Limited, on “How to Reduce Lighting Energy Wastage Using One Simple App”, as well as Mr Alex Lau, CEO, Anacle System Limited, on “A Bold Vision for Energy Management in the Age of IOT”. At MCE Asia’s Mostra Xchange, insights will be shared by industry leaders such as Mr Jayant Kaushal, Director – Product & Project Management Office, Camfil Singapore, on the topic “Air Filtration Types and its Correct Applications”, and Mr Stewart Tai, Manager (Sustainability & Innovation), Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, on “Air Quality & Water Sustainability in Healthcare”.
Other highlights include the ASHRAE Seminar on “Designing & Managing Energy Efficient Buildings”, conducted by Dr Yang Junjing, a Research Fellow at the Centre for Integrated Building Energy and Sustainability in Tropics, National University of Singapore, as well as Chair of Research Promotion Committee of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Singapore Chapter. Dr Benny Chow, Director of Sustainability at Aedas, will also be sharing the latest research on leveraging computational tools to design people-centric, sustainable urban neighbourhoods. Dr Chow, an award-winning sustainable design expert, is also Chairman of the Industry Standards Committee of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, as well as a Committee Member and Expert Panel Member of the China Green Building Council.
In all, professionals can look forward to gain up to 11 professional development units (PDUs) through these seminars over the next two days.
SolarPVExchange, a subsidiary of Sunseap group, Singapore’s leading clean energy provider, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Spring CJW Development Pte Ltd to build a solar photovoltaic (PV) system which will help power up its first eco-friendly residential development in Phnom Penh. Under the deal, SolarPVExchange will design and construct a 200 kilowatt-peak solar photovoltaic (PV) system across the rooftops of the condominium’s eight blocks of residential units.
The solar PV system will generate enough clean energy at its peak capacity to power Axis Residences’ communal facilities including its huge indoor gym, four swimming pools, multi-purpose rooms, games room and lounge. It will also help the condominium to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of planting 3,222 trees a year.
That amount of energy, for example, can power 14 air conditioning units to cool down Axis Residences’ gym, multi-purpose rooms, children’s playroom and facilities. Alternatively, it can power up to 111 water pumps for the developments’ swimming pools, and supply water into the homes of its residents.
Mr Rob Khoo, SolarPVExchange’s Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to partner Spring CJW in providing solar power for its first residential project in Cambodia. Spring CJW has joined a growing list of companies that are environmentally-friendly and prepared to adopt sustainable ways of doing business. As a developer that targets young and trendy homebuyers and entrepreneurs, its green approach will go down well with its target market.
“By tapping solar energy, Spring CJW will also enable residents of Axis Residences to benefit from reduced utility and maintenance bills.”
Mr Anthony Ong, Director of Spring CJW Development Pte Ltd, said: “Spring CJW is passionate about sustainable developments and we are delighted that Axis Residences has cleared the preliminary assessment and will be the first residential development in Cambodia to attain the internationally renowned and recognised Green Mark Gold Accreditation by Singapore’s Building & Construction Authority.”
Mr Ong added that the Singapore-based developer aims to lead the way for other property developers in Cambodia to embrace sustainable green solutions for their projects.
Axis Residences is the first Cambodian eco-friendly condo development project to receive the ‘Highly Commended Award’ at the inaugural Cambodia Property Award 2016 for the Best Condo Development and the first condominium project in Cambodia to be awarded Green Mark Gold Award by Singapore Building Construction Authority.
The condominium is located along Street Doung Ngeap number III in the upcoming western Phnom Penh district, five minutes away from Phnom Penh International Airport. The US$70 million development project comprises 566 units in eight buildings of 10 floors each and is scheduled for completion by next year.
SolarPVExchange is currently in discussion with various clients in Cambodia, including hospitals, banks and factories to bring sustainable renewable energy solutions into Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia.
The region enjoys abundance of sunshine all year round, making the harnessing of solar energy highly viable in this region. Currently, Thailand leads the way for solar power in Southeast Asia with more solar power capacity than the rest of Southeast Asia combined.
Cambodia made its first major investment in solar energy in 2016, with the announcement of a US$9.2 million solar power plant by SolarPVExchange’s sister firm Sunseap in Bavet City, Svay Rieng to provide a quarter of the energy needs of the city and cut the country’s emissions by 5,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.