How Will Green Property Services Change the Game? A Futures Studies View

Abstract

As the environmental impacts of buildings have become more and more eminent, so too has the demand and need for specialized green property services. Green property services refer to operative real estate management services, including both property and facility management, which promote environmental, or green, aspect of the services. This study sets out to identify the possible future development paths associated with the expected rise in the demand of green property services in the future facilities market. The research uniquely utilizes a futures studies method in the context of facilities management. The futures wheel is a qualitative method based on expert opinions, and resembles structural brainstorming. With the futures wheel, different future elements and their possible influences can be identified, clarified and organized. The study finds that several outcomes, both beneficial and unfavourable, are possible in a future where green property services have become more common. The outcomes are classified based on the power to impact, namely, whether they are reached though the actions of the property service provider, or the client organisation. The identified first tier influences include surprisingly complex issues such as lack of expertise in the client organization, or poor occupant comfort resulting from effective energy management. On the other hand, highly positive influences, including intelligent buildings and saved natural resources are also identified as potential influences. The study is the first to employ the futures wheel method to facility services research, and provides a good foundation for further testing of the methods. Furthermore, the findings are a welcomed reminder to both researchers and practitioners of the intertwined and complex nature of sustainability issues within the built environment