Early planning keeps sustainable industrial park costs down

On September 29 at the VIPF 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, Gaylord stressed the importance of designing industrial parks with future generations in mind. He highlighted the need for adaptability and long-term planning to accommodate various industries, including data centers and battery technology companies. Gaylord argued that designers should aim for eco-friendly infrastructure that can support multiple generations of businesses for 10, 50, or even 100 years, rather than focusing solely on short-term certifications like Gold or Platinum.

He pointed to the lessons learned during the 2008 US financial crisis, where developers found that adhering to LEED standards did not significantly increase costs. Gaylord emphasized that the real barrier to eco-design is a lack of sustainable thinking from the outset, rather than financial constraints. For the logistics sector, he stressed the importance of shifting from manual data collection to leveraging data and AI to identify waste and improve decision-making.

He urged companies to rely on sustainability experts to solve operational challenges rather than just producing reports. Gaylord proposed extending industrial symbiosis beyond the factory fence, integrating with the natural ecosystem and surrounding communities. He recommended that industrial parks respect natural water cycles, preserve local ecosystems, and maintain access to pedestrian routes and traditional livelihoods in nearby communities.

Additionally, he suggested that businesses create sustainability roadmaps that anticipate customer expectations, allowing them to proactively offer green solutions and gain a competitive edge in the market.