There needs to be more direction and vision in the construction of distribution centres. A large number of premises being built now are not future-proof.
These are the words of Michael Hesp, senior associate at the world's largest real estate investor CBRE. At the beginning of this year, there were 28 million square metres of distribution centres, up 20 per cent from five years ago. In principle, this increase is not such a problem, Hesp argues to BNR, as there is an economic reason for it.
The crux lies in the lack of direction when building distribution centres. "Growth is so enormous that construction is now taking place everywhere. People are building in places where you might question whether it is future-proof." Hesp also believes that existing, outdated business parks are not being used optimally.
"You may wonder what will happen to logistics in the future. Many innovations will follow. I wonder if in the current allocation of land, that has been fully taken into account. I would like to see places being developed from that future vision that hold lasting value and have minimal space impact."
