Green Dream Drives Sustainability Guru
Property Report|April - May 2019

As the one-time regional head for the World Green Building Council, Singaporean ex-architect Joelle Chen is passionate about the requirement for greater ecomindfulness within the property sector

Jonathan Evans
Green Dream Drives Sustainability Guru

Joelle Chen has a way of winning you over with her enthusiasm. And it is this spark—on top of her obvious credentials—that’s driven her rise through the sustainability stratosphere over the last 15 years. Describing herself on Twitter as a “recovering architect” and “accidental economist interested in the art of persuasion”, it’s clear Chen takes her role as a thought leader in the green-building ecosystem seriously. But the effervescent way she presents her views makes the multi-layered world she inhabits far more digestible.

While architecture provided the perfect springboard for Chen’s later career, she displays a certain disenchantment with the profession. Having learned the importance of sustainability and regeneration—the concept of creating space for life to flourish and renew, embracing everything from living things and energy systems to communities and businesses—she became disillusioned with the “dissonance” between theory and practice. There’s a great deal of waste in the construction process, and the sector’s reluctance to change frustrated Chen.

Returning to business school for an MBA in marketing and strategy seemed to curtail the discontent. From there, Chen progressed to the Smart Sustainable Cities team at Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), where she secured investment from companies interested in the “smart city” concept and worked with development bodies on energy-efficient innovations to meet the city-state's sustainability targets.

In 2017, Chen became Asia-Pacific head for the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), Through her leadership, an additional 4 green building councils in the region committed to a net zero vision (New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Indonesia), and one of the largest companies in India, Godrej, became the first in Asia to join the project.

This story is from the April - May 2019 edition of Property Report.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April - May 2019 edition of Property Report.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PROPERTY REPORTView All
Singapore Starts To Swings
Property Report

Singapore Starts To Swings

Generous stimulus has saved the Lion City’s economy from disaster, and a percolating post-pandemic boom looks set to send the residential sector into overdrive

time-read
8 mins  |
August - September 2021
Natural Highs
Property Report

Natural Highs

With people seeking safe ways of re-engaging with the outside world, the pandemic has steered investment in key ski markets back on-piste

time-read
5 mins  |
August - September 2021
It's In Hua Hin
Property Report

It's In Hua Hin

A long-time favorite of Thai royalty and weekenders travelling from Bangkok, the famous beach town is adding some alluring new strings to its bow

time-read
3 mins  |
August - September 2021
Blues In The Blood
Property Report

Blues In The Blood

As China’s cities explode, its built heritage is often neglected. Hangzhou-based Bluetown Architects aims to redress that balance through its striking but functional work

time-read
6 mins  |
August - September 2021
Little Joy Soldiers
Property Report

Little Joy Soldiers

Real estate sales offices are reopening in Yangon, but banking problems, low confidence and oversupply mean a bleak outlook as the army seeks to entrench rule

time-read
4 mins  |
August - September 2021
Youth Movement
Property Report

Youth Movement

Young members of a storied family shift property development in Cebu forward with a smart, green commercial tower, rising tall above an heirloom estate

time-read
7 mins  |
August - September 2021
Gift From Above
Property Report

Gift From Above

Source Global is tapping into a renewable source— the sky—to supply drinking water to residential communities and commercial properties in Asia

time-read
6 mins  |
August - September 2021
Proptech Is Enhancing Efficiency And Human Experience
Property Report

Proptech Is Enhancing Efficiency And Human Experience

The pandemic has forced the real estate industry into a more meaningful embrace with technology after years of flirting with innovation

time-read
8 mins  |
August - September 2021
Legacy Of Handy, Individualistic Inventions
Property Report

Legacy Of Handy, Individualistic Inventions

The global crisis has caused unprecedented pain, but its extraordinary nature has seen it spawn a legacy of handy, individualistic inventions

time-read
1 min  |
August - September 2021
Wave Of Mutilation
Property Report

Wave Of Mutilation

Lockdown disruption, evolving working conditions and an exodus by offshore gaming operators have sent the vital office space sector in the Philippines into freefall

time-read
7 mins  |
August - September 2021