GreenZone -
an educational example

The purpose of GreenZone is to increase knowledge of why we should build in an environmentally sound manner and how to go about it. "Is this the best we can do? This question has been asked many times during the course of the project and indicates the spirit and high level of ambition that has characterized the entire GreenZone project," remarks the technical project leader, Anders Nyquist.

The aim of GreenZone is to increase interest in environmentally sound technology and in doing so strengthen demand for, and supply of, such products. This normally leads to sustainable product development, higher volumes and lower prices. GreenZone has provided us with lessons for the future and feedback for the companies'environmental work. Project participants, the municipality, contractors, suppliers and visitors will hopefully all make good use of this new knowledge. As a learning project GreenZone also creates opportunities for new forms of co-operation, e.g. between the university and business community as well as between companies in different lines of business.

The goal has been to produce the best possible environmentally sound solutions which, in an international perspective, can increase knowledge and inspire others to launch projects in the right direction, large or small. "We want to be involved in kick-starting the market. We haven't created any magical solutions but instead we have used available technology in new contexts. If we can, you can," concludes project initiator Per Carstedt.

NEW EXPERIENCE FOR THE FUTURE
Leif Georgsson is the site manager for Peab, GreenZone's building contractor. He is satisfied with the work done but also confirms that new building processes demand more time and now, in retrospect, he would have liked to have more time. "The methods and materials we have used needed more time for installation. Certain working methods are yet to be fully developed, e.g. screwing the frame together. But we are very satisfied with the result and even though we have experience from other environmental building projects working on GreenZone was a real challenge. We have learned a great deal and it has been inspiring for all involved. In the future we will have good use of our new knowledge since we will actively spread our experience within the corporate group."

NEW REFERENCE
"The municipality views this co-operation and the planned follow-up of GreenZone as having great potential. The water and sewage operations will gain knowledge of how these types of solutions work in an urban area and it benefits our Agenda 21 work in general. We hope the project will also serve to inspire other building proprietors to launch projects that accelerate progress towards an ecologically sustainable society," says Stina Fahlgren at the municipality of Umeå.

KNOWLEDGE OF EACH ELEMENT
One example of the dissemination of information is the database developed by the project. Every component in the facility is environmentally declared and documented in a database available to project participants for the foreseeable future. This makes it possible to locate information on, e.g. manufacturer, supplier or what the component is made of.