With Earth Day 2023 arriving on April 22nd, and as the world becomes more demanding and resources are increasingly stretched, attention will be focused on the continued global fight for a cleaner planet and the new actions that are needed to support sustainability targets.
One such solution could be meanwhile spaces, according to London-based social enterprise, The Utilize Project.
Meanwhile spaces make use of empty properties and can provide communities with products and services, without the need for new construction
Experts from The Utilize Project explain how meanwhile spaces can help cities become more sustainable and why policymakers should encourage their use by investors and communities alike.
For investors:
While the main appeal for investors to utilise meanwhile space is reduced running costs, sustainability factors can also be of huge value.
Utilising existing property
As meanwhile spaces make use of existing buildings, it eliminates the need for new construction which currently accounts for around 37% of energy and process-related CO2 emissions.
To support sustainability efforts, reducing the amount of embodied carbon, which is emitted during the construction and demolition of buildings is vital.
By recycling unused spaces, carbon emissions and urban blight are reduced, and processes align more closely with the idea of a circular economy – one that creates a sustainable cycle limiting the creation of waste and extraction of raw materials through regeneration and recycling.
Mahmud Shahnawaz, founder of The Utilize Project, says:
“By encouraging investment in meanwhile spaces, buildings are reused and recycled, reducing the level of embodied carbon and supporting the government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050.”
Working towards ESG strategies
When investing in and setting up businesses, Environmental Social Governance strategies are vital to ensure sustainable practices are prioritised and how they can benefit businesses financially.
According to earthday.org, “Companies who’ve developed strong Environment Social Governance standards are seeing better profitability, stronger financial performance, and happier employees.”
For investors, creating and meeting the requirements of ESG strategies is increasingly important. Using empty meanwhile spaces allows investors to reduce their environmental impact from the beginning of the project, which will help them to meet ESG priorities.
For the community:
It’s not just investors who can benefit from using meanwhile spaces, communities that are often under-served and lacking opportunities can also reap the rewards.
Multipurpose spaces
Meanwhile spaces tend to be multipurpose or multiuse, meaning that often a range of businesses occupy one space.
This is great news for the environment as it encourages a clever use of space, along with reducing the need for further construction.
New uses for existing buildings can include retail stores, co-working spaces, community centres and more – all providing services for locals to enjoy.
“Multifunctional buildings are brilliant for creating vibrant, self-sufficient communities, which can put life back into the local area.”, adds Shahnawaz.
Encouraging small, local businesses
Small and local businesses can support sustainability efforts in a variety of ways.
Working on a smaller scale generally means fewer carbon emissions are produced and fewer raw materials are used than their larger business counterparts.
Encouraging local businesses to utilise meanwhile spaces is also a great way to support sustainability efforts, as products often have a smaller carbon footprint, having travelled less distance to the shop floor.
Local businesses also help to reduce shoppers’ carbon footprint, as they can travel less distance to buy their products or pick up items in their local area that they would have otherwise purchased online, reducing air miles and delivery emissions.
For policymakers:
When it comes to policymaker priorities, meanwhile spaces are the answer to one of the biggest problems faced: the issue of empty spaces and urban blight, which causes major environmental damage and monetary costs for local government.
Reducing urban blight and empty space
A report by property experts, PIUA, revealed that in 2019 there were 172,217 empty commercial buildings across the UK, with a 2022 report by London’s Green Party predicting that close to 800 council-owned buildings were not in use in London alone.
Green London Assembly Member Sian Berry recently visited one of The Utilize Project’s properties and was able to see first-hand the benefits of using meanwhile space. Future Green policies are looking to include meanwhile space use to revitalise London boroughs.
Shahnawaz concludes: “The stark number of spaces going unused across the country is proof that meanwhile spaces are needed more than ever to support sustainability in cities.”
“Having so many empty spaces can lead to building neglect, causing hazardous conditions that consequently affect its surrounding environment. For policymakers, investors, and communities alike it is vital that we begin to highlight the importance of re-using unused space in our cities.”
“Meanwhile spaces are a fantastic opportunity to benefit all, whilst looking after the environment and meeting sustainability goals, and should be considered as the first option for any area, ahead of demolition and new construction.”
