India’s capital is going the green way in construction. Vidur Bharadwaj looks at the steps being taken in this direction
Delhi is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population. The eighth-largest metropolis in the world by population, with residents in the National Capital Region (NCR) urban area (which also includes Noida, Gurgaon, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad), Delhi has better living standards as compared to many other Indian cities. With the ever-increasing population, and subsequently the increasing demand for land, there has been a huge demand for affordable housing in Delhi. In addition, high standards and a reasonable cost of living makes it one of the best cities in the world to live in.
The rise in population has had an adverse effect on the life of the common Delhite. Property costs are at an all-time high and space is shrinking. Every inch of area has been occupied and the green cover of Delhi is fast fading away, giving way to a concrete jungle. Due to this, the city has expanded its boundaries in order to accommodate the increasing population. After securing every bit of available space in Delhi, developers have moved towards Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, etc, where the rates vary according to the proximity to the main city.
Amidst all these factors, the pollution created by construction activities is being ignored. The country needs to opt for alternatives that help contain the harmful effects on environment in the long run. The latest trend in this direction is green constructions or ecofriendly buildings that save energy and provide a healthy environment to residents. Green technology is the future of the development industry, especially for the educated investor base.
Constructing Green Buildings
Living and working in a healthy environment is not a dream anymore when it comes to the Delhi region. A number of projects offering ecofriendly homes, with the health benefits of a natural environment, have been launched. The virtues of green developments are well known. Green developments provide better facilities as compared to conventional ones in terms of environment protection, water conservation, energy efficiency, use of recycled products and renewable energy. Green buildings make efficient use of materials, water, and energy. However, the concept has, over time, taken a different shape, in tune with the development and marketing needs of builders.
Over the past few years, real estate developers in Delhi/NCR have moved towards a natural and energy-efficient paradigm. With an educated investor and customer base, there is a shift towards green buildings in the commercial as well as residential sector. The green features provided at these projects are at par with the global standards, with regard to the design, structure, raw materials deployment and benefits in terms of future savings.
These green projects feature specifically designed, structurally ventilated apartments and the use of double-insulated glass, which optimally uses daylight to reduce energy consumption during the day. The design of the building typically ensures shade for the maximum possible area in the building complex, thus ensuring a normal temperature within the premises. The buildings feature sensor lighting and are equipped with energy-efficient mechanical and electric equipment. Green buildings are often built with Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks, which provide double insulation to the exterior walls and better thermal insulation as compared to an ordinary brick wall. This helps in cutting the inflow of heat by approximately 60 per cent.
The double-insulated glass used in the structure ensures the inflow of sunlight into the premises without allowing the inflow of heat, which is not possible in the case of an ordinary glass window. Additional air handling units control the flow of air through the walls to keep the environment cool in summers, further reducing energy costs. Green projects also resolve water and waste management problems through facilities such as solid waste and water management systems. The waste water is recycled and reused for gardening, flushing, cooling towers and washing cars, thus saving on the water costs too. Features like rain water harvesting add to the green effect. A green project can also be built using eco-friendly materials like bamboo flooring and composite panels made from agricultural waste. The final outlay for a green project includes the use of low- VOC adhesives, sealants, paints and polishes.
Green Designs
The initial cost of a green building can be as little as 4–5 per cent more than that of a conventional building but the long-term benefits are manifold. A green building, if designed well, ensures huge benefits in long run. For instance, the basic structure enables the end users to utilise natural resources like sunlight, air and water, leading to reductions in electricity and water bills. Similarly, a green building saves 40–50 per cent of operating costs and provides a healthier living environment. The extra cost can be perceived as an investment with long-term benefits. So, it is completely fair to say that investing in a green building or a green house is like sowing a plant and nurturing it to receive benefits in the long term, when it grows into a fruit-bearing tree. The effective use of green resources and energy ensures higher returns over the long term.
Another trend seen in the green sphere is that, apart from developing new buildings, existing buildings are being retrofitted. Retrofitting is a process of making a conventional building more eco-friendly through certain technical changes. In the urban concrete clutter, where there is not enough space to build new green buildings, retrofitting seems to be the right answer to rising environmental problems.
Today, almost every sector is committed to the cause of reducing its carbon footprint. Similarly the real estate sector in Delhi/NCR has understood this need, leading to the introduction of green building. Till date, 120 million square feet of developed area across India has been registered with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). It is expected that by 2012, there will be approximately 1billion square feet of green buildings as against 340 million today, largely in the residential sector. Considering the tremendous growth potential for green development in the country, India is the destination of choice for several green materials and product manufacturers. According to estimates, there will soon be over 50,000 accredited green professionals in the country, which will make India a leading player in green building business and technology. Green buildings surely hold the future to development in our country.
The author is Director, The 3C Company |
