Going Green, Brick by Brick

India is witnessing tremendous growth in infrastructure development. Hence, the need to minimise use of natural resources for the buildings construction and their associated impact on environment. A green building is one “which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.”

The green measures adopted by the recently constructed green buildings include preservation and reuse of fertile top soil, reduced building footprints, central courtyards, day lighting, ventilation, roof gardens to reduce heat-island impact, use of treated grey water for irrigation and air conditioning cooling water makeup, root-zone treatment for wastewater, efficient envelope, use of energy efficient air-conditioning systems, on-site renewable energy, wind towers, monitoring procedures, post-occupancy, careful handling of construction waste, use of materials with recycled content, resource reuse, use of paints, sealants and adhesives with low VOC and resource reuse.

The Green Building movement in India is pioneered by the CII- Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The vision of the council is to usher in a green building movement in India and to become one of the global leaders in green buildings by 2012. With a modest beginning of 20,000 ft2 green built-up area in the country in 2003, today 436 green buildings with a built-up area 312 mn ft2 are being constructed all over India, of which 54 are certified green buildings. Prominent ones include the CII-GBC, Hyderabad, ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon, Grundfos Building in Chennai and Wipro in Gurgaon among others.

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Source: The Financial Express, 2009-12-06, Link