Building culture is becoming a recognised priority in the real estate industry: with support from the real estate and housing industry, the Institute for Corporate Governance in the German Real Estate Industry (ICG) and the Federal Foundation for Building Culture initiated and developed the „Code of Conduct for Building Culture“ (Kodex für Baukultur).

In its role as project developer, planner, builder, owner, etc., the real estate industry bears particular responsibility for the design of living spaces. At the same time, building culture values and social acceptance form the basis for economic success. The Code of Conduct for Building Culture supports self-regulation in taking social responsibility for the consequences of real estate business activities and for the built results. „For over 25 years, COPRO has been developing projects with the aim of creating added value that benefits everyone through ecological, social and economical balance - which is why we are naturally committed to the Code of Conduct for Building Culture.“ says Marc F. Kimmich, Founder and Managing Partner of COPRO.

Building culture is always closely linked to process quality, which is why the initiators of the Code of Conduct for Building Culture were keen to involve the players in the real estate industry in the drafting process. As a face-to-face discussion of the contents was not possible due to the Corona pandemic, companies in the real estate and housing industry were able to submit feedback on the draft of the Code of Conduct for Building Culture by means of an online survey in summer 2020. Scientific support was provided by the IRE|BS of the University of Regensburg.

„Our mission is to make the real estate industry fit for the future,“ says Karin Barthelmes-Wehr, Managing Director of the ICG. „This includes encouraging the players in the industry to deal with all the requirements of ESG (Environment Social Governance) and to forge new alliances in this regard. The Code of Conduct for Building Culture provides a very good basis for this in the field of planning, development and construction.“

The full „Code of Conduct for Building Culture“ and documentation of the participation process is available on the ICG website. Goals and demands include:

 

Attitudes and values:

• Holistic building culture
• Prudent action in new construction and development of existing buildings
• Appreciation of already existing building culture

Visions and goals:

• Using existing buildings
• Conserving resources
• Promoting diversity and mix

Processes and means:

• Life cycle assessment
• Quality assurance
• Cooperative collaboration