It is a fact that there is a growing awareness of the need to move towards sustainable urban development and this has led to the emergence of more and more projects of different types that want to conform to this model. These initiatives are remarkable for their vision and their results have probably set an example for others who also want to jump on the sustainability bandwagon. But what guarantees that the solutions being developed are truly sustainable? In the case of real estate or construction projects in general, one of the most common points to manage to achieve “sustainability” is energy efficiency. This variable is not only attractive because of the wide margin of improvement that can be obtained, but also because it is 100% measurable. This generates, especially in engineering teams, a need to “squeeze” the solution to the last possible discount. How? by being increasingly efficient. Thus, several sustainable projects have emerged that incorporate the best technologies on the market to achieve the highest standards in terms of energy consumption reduction and efficiency. These initiatives are recognized and applauded until something goes wrong and it becomes essential to resort to the backup system, which is usually polluting and inefficient by definition. When we talk about sustainable projects, probably the main variable -and one that is often left aside- is the stability over time of the solutions incorporated. In this field, nature provides several examples and probably one of the simplest is trees. If a tree wanted to be highly efficient, it would not waste its time and energy in cultivating and feeding all the seeds it naturally generates for the conservation of its species. It would only need to feed and care for a single “super seed”. This single element would be so powerful that it would be able to preserve the species, regardless of where it falls or how much water is available for its growth. But what happens when the unthinkable happens, something beyond its control? It could be, for example, a strong gust of wind that blew it out before its time. In this scenario, the tree lost all its capacity to conserve the species because it did not know how to adapt to extreme conditions or conditions beyond its control. This is why nature’s solution is different and there are several seeds that hang from trees. Obviously, these do not have the same capacity that a “super seed” would have, but if the wind blows them away, there will always be some left. This analogy thus provides a clear definition of the concept of resilience: the ability to adapt to extreme situations. With this example in mind, and returning to the issue of energy efficiency, it is worthwhile to reanalyze the solutions that are being incorporated into projects and evaluate them not only for their efficiency, but also for their residency. In conclusion, when seeking to incorporate solutions that contribute to achieving a sustainable project, it is not only necessary to make a comparative analysis of the alternatives in optimal operating conditions. It is essential to consider that, as in nature, there are a series of imponderables or variables that are beyond our control and that must be taken into account when making decisions.
Thus, the most efficient solutions are not necessarily the most resilient. It is necessary to make a balance between both variables and, in this way, make the best decisions towards sustainable development.
