6 minute read
The Green Initiative for Malls and Shopping Centres
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Introduction
The Saudi Arabian government’s Vision 2030 launched by His Royal Highness - Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has declared 450 million trees to be planted in KSA by 2030. Residents of all ages in KSA are very aware of the importance of achieving these initiatives transforming Saudi with the green initiative as part of Vision 2030. As shopping centre owners and managers, we can launch the Green Initiative for Creating Community in Shopping Centres throughout KSA. Together within each community we can take a lead role in delivering the green initiative by taking advantage of unused or vacant retail spaces. We will replace hoardings with vibrant footfall generating events. This will promote sustainability, community engagement, and education. We generate large footfall by engaging the broader community while fulfilling Vision 2030.
It is important to engage the broader local community utilizing shopping centres throughout KSA. Engaging students and young people, we target schools, teachers, students and parents.
The overarching goal is to increase footfall by 5X in each shopping centre for the calendar year 2023.
We achieve this increase in footfall goal at malls by engaging directly with every student, teacher and young person in each city and town within malls.
Within the shopping centre catchment and beyond, we create another reason to visit shopping centres.
Work with each local school, the teachers and administrators to create a course which becomes part of the school curriculum supporting Vision 2030. Ensure that the schools, teachers and administrators adopt this Green Initiative within their curriculum.
Understanding that when these young students come to our shopping centre they are accompanied by their parent, older brother/ sister or guardian. Over the course of two (2) months per student, while the plants are sprouting, we enjoy high footfall numbers. The students must revisit the mall to inspect and nurture their individual plants until these plants are at least 2 months old ready to be transplanted.
Our programming is organized such that each school and class is scheduled during the school day. Overlapping schedules will ensure we have high footfall throughout the day each day.
Evenings will be particularly busy while the students show the parents and families their success with growing plants.
Given the Green Initiative of HRH MBS, perhaps we will secure additional government support.
The Green Initiative (October 23, 2021) vision of HRH MBS is in line with planting 450 million trees in KSA by 2030. For full details, visit www. greeninitiatives.gov.sa
Learning about growing plants from seed is the base line knowledge which the young Saudi people need to understand to achieve the ambitious goal of planting 450 million trees by 2030.
MECS+R CORNER Implementation
Now that we know where to start, a suitable vacant unit in each shopping centre can be easily converted to a green wall.
Identify with the leasing team a suitable vacant unit in each shopping centre.
Size of the unit is best at 500 sqm. Any unit which is larger can be adjusted to size.
Best units are in the middle of the shopping centre. We want to have maximum footfall in the centre of the shopping centre to ensure footfall penetration into the shopping centre.
Layout to include area of seating as an informal classroom. Chairs for 30 students.
Six (6) tables which are 1.5 M X 3 M. These tables are where the potting of the seeds occurs.
Wall area for growing the plants.
Grow Lights which are suitable to provide the necessary light for the growth of the seeds and seedlings.
Area of storage of soil, small peat pots and seeds.
Area for potting of the seeds. Must be easily cleaned up
Water accessibility is available for daily watering the plants.
Three (3) shaded parking lot stalls outside. Create garden area for transplanting the young plants externally. Must have water available for daily watering the growing plants and young trees.
Social media, media, press, TV to be organized.
Restaurant - Interior with Green Plants Sustainable
The role of the shopping centres is essential in creating a greener planet and activating vacant spaces and converting them to useful wall areas for growing plants will not only increase footfall but will most importantly provide a sustainable environment to a greater community.
Why the shopping centre? Important to
provide internal and external areas for the students to have a SAFE and ENJOYABLE field trip to the mall.
In the mall is a professional greenhouse garden area with a large scale ‘grow light’ system. The mess of soil and water is controlled offsite from the schools.
Approach the schools immediately with a professional presentation on the ‘Why?’
Be clear to understand the details of www. greeninitiatives.gov.sa
Education Administration must be educated on the importance of the students having knowledge of seeds growing into small plants and young trees. 450 million trees planted by 2030.
Determine which seeds are available. Vegetables such as peppers, peas, watermelons, tomatoes, chili, lettuce, melons, zucchini. Vegetables grow quickly. Younger students see the results quickly.
Accessing seeds for trees, Deodora, Ghaf and other reasonably easily grown and regionally hardy trees will be important. Tree seeds can take longer to sprout but are important for the www. greeninitiatives.gov.sa
Render photo of a shopping centre with green plants
Nurturing the Future Leaders’ Mindset through SUSTAINABILITY
Green is the color of life, and it is associated with nature, freshness, and the environment. In interior design, green is a natural choice since it gives or takes up more space and gives a mall life and beauty.
The role of shopping centres is vitally important in protecting our planet. Developing and practicing environmental sustainability plans is not only good business practice but also good for your brand.
Shopping centres all over the world are taking action to create a healthier planet. Several malls now have seen a large reduction in their carbon footprint and are only furthering their eco-friendly initiatives. Shopping centres worldwide are doing their part to create a greener environment while also providing people with the goods they require.
For more info, contact David Macadam, CEO – MECS+R, at david@mecsc.org
