Found in the heart of Israel’s second largest city, the Dizengof Center is home to more than 350 stores spread over 60,000 square meters of commercial space.

Dizengof’s environmental measures are organized around three main pillars: sustainable food, sustainable construction, and urban nature.

“Our mission is to implement urban sustainability ideology in the core business of Dizengof Center, in a way that serves our community and inspires our visitors,” says Sheana Shechterman, the head of the sustainability department at the shopping center.

Dizengof Center’s green farm:

The urban farm on the rooftop of the shopping center is called Green in the City, and is a collaboration between the center and LivinGreen, a pioneering hydroponics company in Israel. Hydroponics is the soilless cultivation of vegetables where soil is replaced by a sterile substrate that is low in water consumption and reduces surrounding temperatures. In just 100 square meters of space, the farm produces enough organic vegetables to be sold to restaurants in the shopping center and at a local farmer’s market.

The farm also has a bee apiary, birds’ nests, and a nursery that is home to more than 1,400 trees belonging to the Food Forest Israel association. This planting of trees took place during the “Trees New Year,” known as the Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat. For that event, children from nearby schools planted tree seedlings bearing their names. This project alone increased the shopping center’s carbon offset by 15%, all while providing educational and social activity for the children.

Other green and social measures:

The Dizengof Center’s environmental commitment is also reflected in its energy efficiency and water consumption policies, both of which account for 72% of energy usage and 34% of water consumption, respectively. To lessen its environmental load, the center invested in a new air conditioning system, which has reduced energy consumption by 8%. Bins to gather and recycle electronic waste have also been introduced.

In order to improve its social capital, the shopping center introduced a new management model to benefit its employees. All security and cleaning staff have permanent contracts, and the number of people employed by the center has climbed steadily.

The Dizengof Center has been recognized worldwide for its sustainable measures. In June 2015, it received the Green Globe Award, a prestigious award given by Life and Environment, a federation of environmental non-governmental organizations.

The next time you’re looking to make a purchase in Tel Aviv, support an environmentally-friendly initiative and head to the Dizengof Center.

Website: www.dizengof-center.co.il/en/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dizengofcenter.il
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dizengofcenter

Photos: Courtesy of the Dizengof Center and LivinGreen