BREEAM Communities confirms the high level of sustainability principles at Nová Zbrojovka
BREEAM Communities assesses the quality of planning and management of the development of an entire new neighborhood or project. Only projects that demonstrate compliance with dozens of demanding criteria that significantly exceed common regulations and standards can obtain certification. An expert international commission has confirmed that the sustainability system at Nová Zbrojovka is effectively set up and above standard. You can read more about the methodology in our first article.
The commissioners analyze, for example, the level of public spaces, accessibility of services, the principles of a city of short distances, community involvement, safety, transport solutions, economic impacts, and resilience to climate challenges.
 |
| Nová Zbrojovka achieved the fourth highest rating in the world in BREEAM Communities – 90.8% |
Only 42 projects worldwide have FINAL certification. Nová Zbrojovka is in the top four
This is a truly exceptional result. There are thousands of certified buildings in the world, but only 42 projects have obtained the FINAL version of the BREEAM Communities certificate. And only seven of them achieved the highest possible rating of Outstanding (above 85%). Nová Zbrojovka is the first multifunctional urban area in the Czech Republic to obtain this certificate – and with a rating of 90.8%, it ranks fourth among the world's best.
Only three projects are ahead of us:
- Tivoli GreenCity – Brusel, Belgie
- 2020park IK/6 – Stavanger, Norsko
- Ebury Bridge Renewal – Londýn, Spojené království
- Nová Zbrojovka – Brno, Česká republika
The certification assessor for Nová Zbrojovka was Jakub Voleš from the consulting company CEVRE Consultants, who is one of the few experts in Europe authorized for BREEAM Communities. “Being included among these locations is a huge success. Norway and the United Kingdom are among the world leaders in sustainability and environmental standards. Belgium, on the other hand, is the heart of the European Union, where EU climate plans and modern principles of sustainable development are created,” says Voleš.
BREEAM assesses the sustainability of buildings, BREEAM Communities evaluates entire neighborhoods
The British BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) methodology evaluates the environmental impact of buildings and how well they comply with the principles of sustainable construction. It is one of the world's most recognized benchmarks for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient construction, and its uniform criteria allow for the comparison of projects across the globe. It was developed by the British organization BRE.
BREEAM Communities is a comprehensive variant that evaluates the sustainability of entire development areas. While other methodologies address individual topics such as the quality of green roofs or the energy efficiency of buildings, BREEAM Communities assesses the location as a whole, providing an overall view of what life will be like in a given neighborhood. From the sustainability of individual buildings, through the quality of public space and transport solutions, to the overall functioning of the area and community development. As a result, it evaluates not only the project itself, but also its positive impact on the entire neighborhood and surrounding areas.
 |  |
| Visualization of a private front garden on the ground floor of a residential building | Visualization of the future Fukátkova Street and Cyril Lacina Square |
Five years of work, 21 team members, 260 auditor comments on 42 studies comprising over 2,000 pages
Five years of intensive work resulted in thousands of pages of documentation and hundreds of consultations and detailed auditor comments. Three main teams worked on the certification: Nová Zbrojovka, CEVRE Consultants, and the British organization BRE. Plus five other expert bodies that analyzed the following areas:
Amentum Clean Energy – ecology and green infrastructure
Hydroprogress – water management
GaREP – sociology, demography, economics, participation, and community
Buildigo – adaptation to climate change, quality of public spaces
PK Ossendorf - sustainable transport
CEVRE Consultants – building sustainability, ecology, energy, civic amenities, architecture and urban planning, public transport
 |
"BREEAM Communities is a very complex, prestigious, and rare certification, but also a huge challenge. Without such a committed partner as Nová Zbrojovka, we would not have made it to the FINAL stage. For BREEAM, you need someone who has everything planned down to the smallest detail, provides you with hundreds of documents, and patiently devotes several years to you - and there are very few teams like that," says Jiří Cihlář, CEO and Managing Director of CEVRE Consultants.
What is the difference between INTERIM and FINAL BREEAM?
We obtained INTERIM certification in October 2023 - at this stage, we had to prove compliance with 11 mandatory studies. However, the FINAL version is much more detailed. For this, it was necessary to demonstrate the quality of another 30 studies that measure sustainability in detail across a wide range of areas. The British commission examined hundreds of sub-parameters across five main categories:
- Social and economic wellbeing
- Resource and energy
- Land use and ecology
- Transport and movement
- Governance assessment
"During the certification process, we confirmed that the Nová Zbrojovka project has been well designed from the outset with regard to sustainability principles, and that our goals and values are fully in line with the requirements of BREEAM Communities. Recognition from an independent, prestigious international authority has confirmed that we are on the right track," says Nela Kordulová, project manager at Nová Zbrojovka.
 |
What does fourth place in the world mean for the residents of Nová Zbrojovka?
The FINAL version of BREEAM Communities confirms that Nová Zbrojovka is a highly sustainable neighborhood – with energy-efficient buildings, smart technologies, diverse architecture, abundant greenery, and high-quality public spaces. It brings prestige to the city, certainty to investors, and a healthy, practical, and well-functioning environment to people.
For the residents of Nová Zbrojovka, the assessed sustainability principles mainly mean a comfortable and healthy everyday life. Thanks to the short distances in the neighborhood, they have everything they need literally at their fingertips and can take care of most things in a matter of minutes. Plenty of greenery, high-quality public spaces, and quiet areas create a pleasant environment for relaxation and socializing.
Modern transport solutions ensure safe movement, fewer cars, and cleaner air. Smart technologies help save energy and costs. And because the neighborhood is based on the principles of community life, it offers an environment where people can easily connect and where it is a joy to live - today and for many years to come.
 |
| The British commission analyzed hundreds of sub-parameters across five main categories |
However, the evaluators examine many other topics – and even the smallest details. For example, whether the greenery, which will cover 30% of the area in Nová Zbrojovka, will be evenly distributed across the entire area. They assess the quality of the Svitava River biocorridor, the protection of groundwater from pollution, insect habitats, birdhouses, and the prevention of bird strikes. They also evaluate the attractiveness of streets, the width and lighting of sidewalks, and alternative transportation options, including safe and comfortable cycling.
Demographic and inclusive analysis also plays an important role – i.e., whether the neighborhood is suitable for families, seniors, and people with disabilities. For example, the presence of guide elements for the blind or the surface of sidewalks is checked to ensure that they are not too slippery for wheelchair users. The assessment also takes into account seemingly minor details, such as accessible but unobtrusive parking, the elimination of light pollution, and the so-called "spirit of the place," i.e., the atmosphere and identity of the location.
And this is really just a small sample of the more than 2,000 pages of the assessment. Because it is impossible to fit everything into one article, we are preparing a whole series in which we will present the individual topics in detail and show how they specifically contribute to the quality of life in this neighborhood. Because they are so interesting, it would be a shame not to present everything to you in detail.
FINAL BREEAM Communities certification is a great success for Nová Zbrojovka, and we believe it will not be the last. Follow our series so you don't miss out on the details of what this global certification brings to the people who will live, work, or spend their free time here.
 |  |
| Visualization of the inner courtyard of a residential building | Visualization of public space in Nová Zbrojovka |
