Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/62026
SAN PELEGRINO SHOPPING MALL, BRAZIL´S FIRST LEED-CERTIFIED MALL, DEVELOPED BY GAZIT BRAZIL LATIN 'LEED-ERSHIP' LATIN AMERICA'S DEVELOPERS ARE EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE MALLS By María Bird Picó ATIN AMERICA'S LATEST WAVE OF RETAIL REAL ESTATE SEEMS TO HAVE A distinct "green" hue important to the region's eco-protection movement. Whether simple strip centers or mixed-use projects, many developments are qualifying for international cer- tifications such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard or the ecological guidelines of the International Organization for Standardization. "The shopping center industry is at a critical juncture of choosing between the old and new construction models," said Benjamín Bross, design director at Planigrupo, one of Mexico's major mall developers. "Thanks to rising awareness about the need to protect our natural resources, Latin America can take the lead and respond to consumers who are increasingly seeking 198 SCT / MAY 2012