Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has been awarded BREEAM In-Use v.6 for its Westfield Arkadia, Galeria Mokotów and Galeria Wileńska shopping centres in Warsaw, all of which were rated as ‘Excellent’ for asset performance.
All of the centres reduced their electricity usage through the installation of LEDs and water usage was also reduced through such measures as installing water aerators in the taps. Veturilo bicycle hire points were placed in front of Westfield Arkadia and Galeria Wileńska and a special area was set aside for bicycles. All three of the centres also have electric vehicle charging stations. Galeria Mokotów was first awarded BREEAM In-Use in 2012, and Galeria Wileńska was granted the award two years later.
Between 2012 and 2019, energy usage was reduced by around 21 pct in Galeria Mokotów. Also planned is the replacement of HVAC systems in the centres so that they are more environmentally-friendly. Despite the expansion of Westfield Arkadia, energy usage was reduced by 23 pct from 2014 to 2019. The centre also has beehives on the roof.
"Every year we try to bring new solutions into our centres and improve their operations. In Westfield Arkadia, Galeria Mokotów and Galeria Wileńska we source our electricity 100 pct from renewable sources. Improving the biodiversity in our local communities is important to us. So, for example, we have sown a 2 ha meadow near Galeria Wileńska, we’ve arranged for ivy to be planted next to the walls of a local elementary school and we have set up nesting boxes for birds. We have completed a total renovation of the green roof of Westfield Arkadia thus reducing the water required for the plants", commented Grzegorz Grajkowski, the director of operations of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield in Poland.
