The Navigator Business Center 2 is a recipient of the LEED GOLD certificate, which is yet another in the series of these certificates that MPC Properties already possesses in its portfolio. It was this latest certification that prompted us to speak with Jovana Cvetković, director of development, technical operations and innovation at MPC Properties
MPC’s strategy is building and development of modern business and retail assets in accordance with the highest world standards. In the development process, we pay special attention to the green building principles and the impact they have on users and the environment.. As a market leader, we at MPC think long-term, and we don’t make any compromises when it comes to the quality and sustainability of our assets, which we are also recognized for on the market.
Our job is not only to build and develop asset but also to manage it, so it is extremely important that the facilities we build are sustainable and functional and the ultimate goal is to build sustainable assets that achieve Building Resilience for Climate, People and Economies.
Over the course of the past 10 years, MPC has contributed to the promotion of green building, and thus we today have three buildings that have been designed and built in accordance with those principles: the Navigator Business Center 1 and 2 have been built according to the LEED Gold standard; UŠĆE Tower Two was constructed according to the BREEAM standard, while UŠĆE Shopping Center is one of the first and the largest certified shopping centers in the region and Europe, thanks to LEED-EBOM certification (LEED Certified Existing Building: Operations and Maintenance) covering the area of existing, operational facilities. MPC Properties also confirms its commitment to green building by being an active member of the Serbian Green Building Council.
The crucial green building strategy is that during the development of the project, its entire life cycle is considered, which starts from the idea, planning, design, through the execution of works, all the way to the operations. MPC Properties deals not only with the construction of assets but also with their management and maintenance, so it is very important for us to manage the entire development of the project, bearing in mind that after the investment in green building systems, significant savings will be achieved during operation.
Through the certification process, the quality of the facility is improved, and through adequate selection of equipment and proper mode of operation of technical systems, optimal space comfort is achieved, which further contributes to reducing energy consumption (electricity, heat, cooling) and water consumption, reducing waste… reduction of harmful impact on the environment (reduction of harmful gas emissions, increase of efficiency, reduction of waste and protection of watercourses).
Accordingly, it contributes to the preservation of collective health, but also gives an example to the professional and general public about the importance and benefits of applied green building.
When it comes to environmental protection, MPC Properties also integrated its vast experience of real estate development and management during the concept design process for the exceptional UŠĆE Tower Two business building. When devising the concept for this business facility, we wanted to shift the boundaries of the domestic market and keep pace with current global trends and properties now being developed in Europe’s major business hubs, primarily London, Vienna and Warsaw, which is why this building is the first in Serbia to apply new natural ventilation technology.
Thanks to this system, the excellent air quality of the space is secured with minimal energy consumption. Similarly, the area surrounding this business complex has been enriched with indigenous plant species, which serves to additionally create an environment that stimulates creativity and encourages healthy productivity. We’re additionally improving and shifting the boundaries of the market with each subsequent project, so our next step is to introduce WELL health and safety certification for the entire portfolio of MPC Properties – UŠĆE SC, BEO SC, Mercator, IOC, Ušće Towers 1 and 2 and the Navigator Business Complex.
This certificate is particularly important to us, considering the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, and is also a way to integrate the best world practices into our system and operations, thus contributing to the betterment of the entire community. We are currently in the development phase of a comprehensive social responsibility strategy that’s harmonized with ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors, at the level of the entire MPC system, which will be applied to our properties.
MPC Properties is one of Southeast Europe’s most experienced real estate development platforms, with deep market knowledge, broad deal experience and assets with the highest standards. MPC has developed over 30 retail and office projects, which have been established since the company’s 2002 foundation. The company is primarily dedicated to investing in and managing real estate, with the key objective of increasing value through active initiatives. When it comes to design and construction technologies, as well as compliance with green building standards, MPC delivers an efficient and sustainable portfolio. MPC possesses or manages different types of properties, including high shopping centers, street retail outlets, prime office space and mixed-use projects.