Shaping Sustainable Places – Development and Construction of a Low-Carbon Built Environment – Details, episodes & analysis

Recent years have been challenging for property investors, with high interest rates and volatile property values. At the same time, increasing demands for sustainability are adding new pressures. How can an investor today ensure they get the returns they need from their sustainable property portfolio? 

We talk with two experts who share their insights into the challenges and opportunities facing real estate investors right now, both in Europe and the United States. 

This episode’s guests:      

Cecilia Fasth, CEO of Stena Property, a major property investor in the Nordic and Central European markets. 

Murphy McCullough, Business Unit President for Skanska USA Commercial Development.

There are some successful building projects that highlight the global trend towards urban sustainability and the impact of sustainable building design. To find out what it takes to design, construct and operate such a building, we take a closer look at Hyllie Terrass in Malmö, one of the most sustainable office buildings in Sweden. And what have been the major trends in the sustainable project development construction space over the past year? As we look back over our first two seasons of the podcast, we brought back a favorite guest, Lena Hök, Executive Vice President for Sustainability and Innovation with Skanska Group. Lena Hök tells us about two key trends that are really impacting the industry right now.

Guest: Åsa Johansson, Project Developer, Skanska in Sweden.Guest: Lena Hök, Executive Vice President for Sustainability and Innovation with Skanska Group

In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places we discuss what is best: to refurbish an old building and bring it up to modern standards, or knock it down and construct a new low-carbon building instead? 

Both sides have their pros and cons.  

This episode’s guests: 

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, architect and Founding Partner, Snøhetta, and Ståle Rød, Executive Vice President, Skanska Group. 

Learn more at Foresight. 

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

#ShapingSustainablePlaces 

Hurricanes, storms, heatwaves and heavy rain due to climate change are presenting new challenges for communities around the world. Farsighted cities are taking actions now to protect themselves from these sorts of hazards. 

This episode features Sean Szatkowski, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska USA Building, and Philip Thörn, Head of Sustainability with insurance company IF. 

Sean shares how Hurricane Sandy in 2012 was a wake-up call for New Yorkers, and what’s being done to reduce the impact of flooding. 

Philip describes the impact on insurers and how they are helping companies and homeowners adapt to emerging climate risks. 

Listen and subscribe to the podcast. 

Learn more at Foresight. 

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While

Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or

services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

#ShapingSustainablePlaces  

As more of us want to live more sustainably, we take a glimpse into the near-future, where homes generate more energy than they consume over their lifetimes.  

In this episode we visit the Norwegian city of Trondheim and meet Ivar Ørnes, Kim Bundgård and Ingrid Skirstad from Skanska, members of the crew behind the ongoing Powerhouse Lade – a series of almost-ready apartments that among other things will produce more renewable energy than they consume during their entire life span.  

And Dr Stephen Richardson, a leading expert in energy and carbon reduction at the World Green Building Council, shares his thoughts on the future of housing, and the importance of helping homebuyers make good choices.   

Listen and subscribe to the podcast. 

Learn more at  Foresight. 

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

#ShapingSustainablePlaces 

In this special episode of Shaping Sustainable Places, recorded during Climate Week NYC 2023, we delve into the collaborative spirit driving sustainability in the development and construction sectors. The emphasis is on collective action and shared innovation to accelerate climate-focused initiatives and decarbonize the built environment.

We welcome Justin Travlos, Global Head of Responsible Investments at AXA IM Alts, Lena Hök, Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation at Skanska Group, and Benoit Bazin, CEO of Saint-Gobain, as our guests. They share insights on the evolution from vision to action, detailing how their organizations embody sustainability commitments through cross-sector partnerships and knowledge sharing.

Listen and subscribe to the podcast.

Learn more at Foresight.

#ShapingSustainablePlaces #ClimateWeekNYC2023

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

The market economy is a powerful force in shaping the direction of future innovation. As our societies become more globally conscious we create economic shifts that motivate more climate-conscious business practices.

This episode features Magnus Persson, EVP and CFO at Skanska Group, and Thorsten Slytå, Managing Director and Head of Nordic Real Estate at BlackRock. Each is working at the forefront of the changing economic landscape relating to sustainability.

Thorsten discusses how good investment practice today takes into account the risks of climate change.

Magnus describes how investors are incorporating sustainability and climate into their decisions so they can avoid the trap of stranded assets. 

Listen and subscribe to the podcast.

Learn more at Foresight.

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

#ShapingSustainablePlaces #ESGInvestments  #SustainableInvestment #SustainableRealestate 

The construction and real estate industry has historically been slow to adopt new digital tools. Now, by embracing the latest available technology, we’re pushing the industry toward more sustainable construction practices that allow us to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.

This episode features Brendan Wallace, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fifth Wall, Henrik Ahnström, Director of Development at Skanska Commercial Development Nordic, and Stacy Smedley, Executive Director at Building Transparency. Each plays a unique role in merging the technology and real estate development sectors.

- Brendan outlines the economic and political drivers that are pushing the real estate industry toward better climate technology adoption.

- Stacy explains how tools like the EC3 are helping developers reduce their embodied carbon emissions.

- Henrik describes how new technologies like BIM and digital twins are leading to safer, more efficient and more sustainable building practices.

Listen and subscribe to the podcast.

Learn more at Foresight.

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

#ShapingSustainablePlaces #SustainableConstruction #SustainableTechnology #ClimateTechnology #Proptech 

The Covid-19 pandemic forced a radical shift in our understanding of what a healthy workplace is. Now, as we adapt to the new normal of flexible work, we have an opportunity to shape a more sustainable future for the work environment that prioritizes employee health and wellness.

This episode features Dr. Whitney Austin Gray, Senior Vice President at International WELL Building Institute, Ewelina Kałużna, Head of Strategic Workplace Solutions Advisory CEE at Skanska and Managing Director at Business Link, and Theres Söderlund Lakso, Head of Internal Communications, Business Area Cloud Software & Services at Ericsson. Together, they’re creating a work environment where people want to be, one that incorporates social, environmental and urban sustainability.

- Whitney describes the impact of poor working environments on mental and physical health, and some workplace best practices for mitigating those negative effects.

- Ewelina discusses the changing habits and expectations of employees in a post-pandemic world, and how employers can cater to those needs through smart design, for a workplace where employees want to be.

- Theres expands on specific initiatives her organization is taking to lean into the new future of sustainable workplaces.

Listen and subscribe to the podcast.

Learn more at Foresight.

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

#ShapingSustainablePlaces #RemoteWork #InclusiveDesign #HealthyWorkplaces #WorkLifeBalance #HybridWork

High Speed Two is a railway project currently under construction in the UK. This massive undertaking aims to strengthen connections between local communities, create economic sustainability, and provide a fast and clean form of transportation across the UK.

Tim Smart, Managing Director Phase 2 at HS2 Ltd, Louise Dailly, Head of Social Sustainability at the Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture, David Ode, TBM Tunnel Superintendent HS2 at Skanska, and Fiona O’Riordan, Assistant Civil Engineer at Skanska, joined this episode to share how they’re turning the HS2 vision into a reality.

- Tim offers a project overview and describes the benefits HS2 is bringing for local communities.

- David explains the complex logistics of constructing the tunnels necessary for HS2.

- Louise describes the social sustainability that’s built into the HS2 strategy.

- Fiona recounts her experience with HS2 as a student and civil engineer apprentice. 

Listen and subscribe to the podcast.

Learn more at Foresight.

Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Skanska. The views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Skanska employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Skanska or any of its officials. While Skanska endeavors to keep the information up to date and correct, Skanska makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the podcast or the information, products or services mentioned in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

#ShapingSustainablePlaces #HighSpeedTwo #SustainableTransportation #Connectivity #UKRailway