Integrated Planning

Integrated planning is an all-encompassing approach to the planning of building works. It entails all the different specialist disciplines and stakeholder groups involved in the planning process working together right from the initial ideas phase. This is important because the direction of key aspects of the property’s lifecycle is determined at this very early stage in the process. And that is where sustainability comes in: Mobimo always considers demands in relation to the efficient use of resources, energy efficiency and certifications alongside traditional objectives such as user convenience, cost efficiency and aesthetics. Inevitably, some of these objectives will be incompatible. That makes it all the more important to listen to and prioritise all the different interests and viewpoints from the outset.

Operation of properties is one area of focus, as a long-term and therefore important phase of the lifecycle. One task for integrated planning is to incorporate operational needs and flag up impacts on operations at an early stage in the planning process. It is entirely possible that a measure that at first glance appears expensive may actually pay off through lower maintenance and operating costs. When we think about property operation, we do not confine ourselves to maintenance and caretaking: we also consider the lives that will be led

in and around the buildings. How will the public, semi-public and private spaces fit together? What needs on the part of residents and users must be placed at the forefront? We address these questions in conjunction with architects and public authorities, supported in some cases by sociologists, and also canvas the thoughts of the local population.

Technical questions are of course paramount. It is especially important that all the systems within a building or site work together. These days, it is often only possible to meet certification and reporting requirements by having integrated systems in place. Adopting a holistic approach also brings optimisations in terms of operation and the efficient use of resources: intelligent technology reports malfunctions automatically via a central building management system and enables fixes to be carried out remotely. A heating and cooling system that is linked to weather programmes reduces energy consumption. It can also make sense to reduce the high-tech element and move away from static design. At our residential development in Manegg, ventilation is achieved through openings in the façade rather than ventilation ducts embedded in the concrete. Options like this must also be discussed, coordinated and integrated at an early stage in planning.