LoureShopping, a shopping centre currently being developed by Sonae Sierra, is the first such centre in Portugal to gain environmental certification under ISO 14001 during its building phase, as a result of its management of construction procedures.
Awarded by Bureau Veritas (BVQI), this certification is awarded for implementing best environmental management practices on site, as set forth in Sonae Sierraâs Environmental Management System. The aim is to minimize environmental impact and to encourage ongoing improvements in this field.
The system which has been implemented deals with environmental issues that arise during day-to-day construction management on site and manages them in an eco-efficient way. The consumption of natural resources (water, energy, fuel and raw materials), noise, waste water discharge and waste management are some of the areas covered in the procedures, which guide and regulate how the project is carried out.
Sonae Sierraâs passion for innovation and its ongoing commitment to incorporating environmental management into all of its new projects have gained widespread recognition. Abroad, three Sonae Sierra developments in Spain have also received the same certification, the projects in question being Dos Mares in Murcia, Luz del Tajo in Toledo, and Plaza Eboli in Madrid.
For Sonae Sierra, environmental management during construction plays a major part in the development of its âgreen centreâ concept, which has been at the heart of the companyâs various developments over the years. Under this concept, measures to minimize the buildingâs impact are included right from the design and planning phase.
Opening planned for autumn 2005
LoureShopping leisure and shopping centre, which is owned and developed by Sonae Sierra, involves investment of â¬66 million and is set to open in autumn 2005.
Gross lettable area will be 40 000 m2. It will have 106 shops, of which nine will be anchor shops, including a Continente hypermarket, plus 25 restaurants and a 2 100-space car park.
LoureShopping will serve a population of over 640 000 people within a 30 minute radius. It is expecting 9.9 million visits per year and will directly create something in the region of 1 000 new direct jobs.
Source: Sonae Sierra
