Tun Razak Exchange set to bag international green development certification

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) is set to bag an acclaimed international certification for sustainable green development.

The TRX masterplan underwent a rigorous evaluation by the prestigious US-based Green Building Council (USGBC) on its overall impact beyond individual buildings.

The council examined the buildings' locations, the way they relate to each other and qualities of the public spaces that knit them together.

"Sustainability has been foremost in our plans every step of the way. We want to push the envelope in green development in Malaysia. This world-class recognition reflects our commitment to a green future," 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azmar Talib said in a statement.

The council has granted TRX a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Neighbourhood Development (LEED-ND) Plan Gold Level Conditional Approval.

This puts TRX on the penultimate stage of being pre-certified.

LEED is an internationally recognised green building certification programme with a rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings.

LEED-ND certification evaluates a whole township or district level not limited to individual buildings.

It is a global benchmark certifying a development as embracing world-class sustainability principles, smart growth and best practice urban planning.

LEED-ND development emphasises vibrant and healthy communities in a walkable mixed-use space.

It recognises buildings and infrastructures that reduced energy and water use while promoting other sustainable best practices.

The certification requires independent and third party verification that a development's location and design meet high standards of environmentally responsible and sustainable development.

1MDB is the master developer of the 70-acre international financial district, which was formerly known as KLIFD.

The strategic development is a national initiative to spur sustainable growth in new areas and lead the way for the federal capital to be a sustainable, smart and liveable city.

The masterplan provides for a 30 per cent of the TRX to be open spaces, including a 14-acre signature public park.

The TRX will apply cutting-edge technologies in energy, water and waste management, among others.

Smart systems, well-designed infrastructures and a centralised control and command centre will reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent, total water demand by 60 per cent and divert 70 per cent waste from landfill.

By Bernama