In order to enrich the content of the conference website, we are opening a new section that will include highlights of recent initiatives worldwide towards a more sustainable built environment, sent by a group of volunteer reporters from around the world and presented in the form of short reports on interesting events, research projects, case studies, achievements, etc. generated in their home countries.
The initiatives highlighted shall be linked with the topics of the conference and will allow to have a quick panorama of what is happening internationally, and therefore to what can be shared and discussed during SB11 Helsinki World Sustainable Building Conference.
If you are interested in becoming a reporter for your country, please contact us at SB11Secretariat@vtt.fi
Argentina
‘‘Small sustainable enterprises"
Since a few years now small productive enterprises with sustainability purposes have multiplied. Some of them are charity foundations made up of people who make productive businesses with local materials and provide them with an added value. In other cases they are small companies which pursue to generate their own market based on differentiating themselves by offering a totally sustainable production.
This kind of enterprises, besides following an environmental approach and claiming fair business, are mainly run by women. As one of its protagonists says: "It is not about taking the easiest road but the right one."
Textile Value Chain: an issue that involves hands and words
De manos y de palabras (Hands and Words) is a project that gathers a group of spinners and weavers from the Córdoba hills. They not only vindicate a job possibility but they also revive old traditions and millenary trades. It is an enterprise which currently gathers approximately 100 families organized in a handcraft textile value chain coordinated by technicians from the INTI [National` Institute of Industrial Technology] who coordinate producers, technicians and craftsmen.
Watch women entrepreneurs talking about their experience. (Source: http://www.arqsustentable.net/rse_emprendimientos.html)
Chunchino: eco-design and sustainable value chain
Chuchino is a small enterprise that offers a great agro-ecological solution to dress babies from 0 to 3 months. It has been running since December 2008 and they provide a 100% sustainable value chain, from the raw material up to the product’s delivery.
‘‘An innovative idea: SUME MATERIALES"
SUME MATERIALES (Add Materials) is a project run by the Fundación Sagrada Familia, an institution bound to the Diocese and Cáritas from San Isidro (Charity Organization) dedicated to helping those families in need providing materials for building or restoring their houses at a lower price.
Before and after of one of the family houses for which materials have been provided. (Source: http://www.arqsustentable.net/rse_sumemateriales.html)
These materials come from donations made by individuals who provide construction or restoration materials, or by manufacturers or wholesalers who provide sale goods, or discontinued or remaining stock materials. They are stocked in a railway warehouse where they are classified and repaired if necessary for its sale at differentiated prices to families that use them for the construction or restoration of their houses. Besides materials, furniture, kitchen and bathroom devices and fixtures, electric appliances and anything that would be useful for a house is received. A forge workshop has also been set up.
‘‘Participative planning as a tool for the sustainability of an old mountain town in Córdoba"
San Marcos Sierra is an old town located at the foot of the north part of the Sierras Grandes in the Province of Córdoba. It dates from the 18th century – as it is stated in its church built in 1734– although prior to that, in 1500, during the Spanish conquest these lands had been granted to subjects of the Spanish Crown until 1806, when an unusual event for the time took place, Viceroy Sobremonte gave the lands back to its native inhabitants.
It is a semiarid region covered by a closed and thorny mountain. It has a current population of about three thousand people, mostly creoles who in a great proportion claim to be descendents of the native Comechingones.
Although it was a rural quiet town that during a long time lacked the services which other mountain towns already had, its beautiful landscapes and charm attracted a special tourism since the beginnings of the last century. It appeals people fond of nature, with vegetarian and ecological habits that tune with the locals and their ancestral habits.
This scenario that could have remained intact underwent a sudden change at the beginning of 1980 when an important number of people (in relation to the town’s local population at that time) acquired lands and properties to settle there. They were mainly young urban people longing for a new lifestyle, to abandon the shrillness, the stress and the pollution of big cities for a more peaceful life in contact with nature.
This encounter between the old settlers and the new ones that brought totally different cultural habits was not exempt from tensions and frictions. However, after some time the image of the town widely changed. San Marcos Sierra is currently a place boasting differentiated features among the local mountain communities in Córdoba. Although it has been modernized, it maintains its "rural atmosphere". There are first class hotels and restaurants and it has turned to be a touristic town with high standard residences and a variety of bungalows, shops, etc.
Different views of San Marcos Sierra. (Source: http://www.arqsustentable.net/territorios_sanmarcos.htm)
Nevertheless, the urban development of this decade is threatening the sustainability of the place. The situation causes alarm and worries the locals who are willing to defend their values. In 2009 locals and members from the government met in a series of workshops where they all had the opportunity to listen to each other and exchange opinions towards a participative planning of the town.
As a result an ordinance was approved, setting territory and water emergency terms as well as parameters for residential, touristic, commercial and industrial areas, growth trends, guidelines for the executive power and citizen participation mechanisms.
‘‘Solar fridge"
A fridge that runs on solar energy was presented in the Department of Cruz del Eje, Province of Córdoba. It is ideal for areas with no electricity or gas, it produces up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of ice per day and it has no maintenance cost.
Participants from different Argentine universities and organizations presented two prototypes of fridges that cool by using sunrays. The exhibition took place in the district of Serrazuela, located in the Department of Cruz del Eje, 209 km (129.8 miles) northeast from the city of Córdoba.
Prototype of solar fridge. (Source: http://www.arqsustentable.net/nuevas_tec_heladeras.html)
The fridge works with no photovoltaic panel given that it absorbs the heat in a physical process that can be proved by the fresh sensation in our skin after applying alcohol on it.
More information at:
http://www.arqsustentable.net/rse_emprendimientos.html
http://www.arqsustentable.net/rse_sumemateriales.html
http://www.arqsustentable.net/territorios_sanmarcos.htm
http://www.arqsustentable.net/nuevas_tec_heladeras.html
Eduardo Yarke
Mexico
‘‘CEMEX- Tecnológico de Monterrey Centre for Sustainable Community Development"
Created in 2010 as a result of an alliance between CEMEX, one of the global leading companies in the building materials industry, and Tecnológico de Monterrey, a prestigious higher education institution, the centre has the mission to promote joint and interdisciplinary work among the public, private and academic sectors to produce innovative solutions to impulse sustainable community development for a better quality of life.
To accomplish its mission, and in the belief that sustainable development must be harmonious, viable and equitable, CDCS focuses on three axes of action (social, economic and environmental) where three main objectives are aimed at:
The three axes of action and associated concepts established by CDCS. (Source: http://www.cdcs.com.mx/node/28)
1. Promoting sustainable community development by means of integrated models and solutions.
2. Generating synergies among the public, private and academic sectors.
3. Disseminating knowledge on the models developed.
As part of its activities, the centre has launched the CEMEX-TEC Transforming Communities Award, an annual recognition of research and development of high impact sustainable development projects and initiatives that foster economic growth, technology transfer, social involvement of communities, and preservation of natural resources in Mexico. The award has national coverage and is line with the centre's abovementioned mission and objectives.
The winning team of this year's edition will be awarded with a trip to Finland to attend the SB11 Helsinki World Sustainable Building Conference. (Source: http://www.cdcs.com.mx/premiohome)
The 2011 edition focuses on sustainable urban/rural regeneration projects. In other words, it looks for projects that strengthen and reactivate existing urban/rural structures to promote the quality of life and economic competitiveness of communities and to achieve a holistic coexistence of human beings with rural and built environments.
More information at:
http://www.itesm.edu/wps/wcm/connect/ITESM/Tecnologico+de+Monterrey/English
‘‘The first integral programme in Latin America for Sustainable Public Schools"
The Government of Nuevo León has become a nationwide pioneer in the development of an innovative model for sustainable schools in 29 different municipalities. This initiative is part of the Investment Programme on Educational Spaces 2011, to which around 100 million pesos will be directed.
Governor Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz made the announcement of the project during the kickoff of the works of the first educational complex built according to this scheme, in Colonia Valle del Roble, Cadereyta. The complex includes a kindergarten, and a primary and secondary school.
View of the construction site of the new sustainable school in Cadereyta municipality, Jiménez, Nuevo León. (Source: http://www.nl.gob.mx)
According to this plan, the Government will address the construction of 45 educational complexes this year, all with a sustainable infrastructure. In addition, 184 extensions, 2.201 new spaces (including classrooms, laboratories, workshops and annexes) and furniture and fittings for 202 schools will benefit 53.410 primary education students.
More information at:
http://red-crucero.com/2011/03/construyen-en-la-entidad-escuelas-sustentables/
http://www.nl.gob.mx/?P=leerarticulo&ArtOrder=ReadArt&Article=69973
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s3tNWVHuw4
Denisse García Díaz
César Ulises Treviño
India
'ADaRSH in Association with MNRE and TERI organizes the National Conference on Green Design: Buildings and Habitats'
ADaRSH, a platform to facilitate a pan-India, ongoing interaction and networking between building professionals, developers and government officials in association with TERI and the MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) organized the two-day National Conference on Green Design: Buildings and Habitats’. Present on the occasion were Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister, MNRE; Mr. Deepak Gupta, Secretary, MNRE; Dr. R. K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI; along with government officials, architects, engineers and construction managements professionals from across the country. The two day conference also hosted an exhibition on the sidelines to showcase green building products, energy efficient solutions and new technologies & services available today to build a sustainable habitat.
More information at: Business Wire India, 7 January 2011
http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=25306
'Green buildings make sense'
GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is a tool developed by TERI for measuring and rating a building's environmental performance in the context of India's varied climate and building practices. This tool, adopted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, uses qualitative and quantitative assessment criteria to rate a building on the degree of its greenness. The ‘basic features' of GRIHA, as described in www.grihaindia.org, speak of a system to help ‘design and evaluate' new buildings, by assessing predicted performance over the entire lifecycle – inception through operation.
More information at: The Hindu, 25 December 2010
http://www.hindu.com/pp/2010/12/25/stories/2010122550220200.htm
'Chandigarh: UT administration may make green buildings compulsory'
The Chandigarh administration plans to make construction of green buildings mandatory in the city. The architecture department is already in the process of finalizing the building code. Besides, a proposal to make all city residents include features of energy conservation building code in upcoming commercial and residential structures for reducing power consumption is being finalized. The codes being followed by Haryana and Hyderabad have already been studied.
More information at: The Times of India, 21 December 2010
'Green Building of the Year award conferred to Synefra's One Earth project'
Pune’s leading Integrated Infrastructure Solutions’ provider Synefra Engineering & Construction Ltd – a Tanti Group Company, announced that their One Earth Project, Suzlon’s Global HQ, conceived and managed by them has been awarded the “Green Building of the Year” award at the Property Awards held in Mumbai on 15 December 2010. Developed in an area of 41,000 sq. mt (10.13 acres), One Earth is one of the largest green building projects in India with a built up of over 8,00,000 sq ft. Synefra has set benchmarks for energy and water efficiency by incorporating innovative aspects of engineering and construction. Suzlon One Earth has also won the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification by IGBC as well as the 5 Star by GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment).
Suzlon One Earth, Pune. (Source: Sustainable Habitats website, http://www.sustainable-buildings.org)
More information at: Business Standard, 17 December 2010
'PCMC proposes concessions to green buildings'
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) administration has proposed to grant incentives in premium charges to builders who will construct eco-friendly "green" buildings. It also plans to give property tax concessions to the residents of such buildings. According to the proposal, the PCMC's environment cell, with help from environmental organizations like TERI and GRIHA, will conduct the scrutiny of the building proposal received. Based on the environment-friendly schemes proposed by the developer, the buildings will be given a "green building certificate" and "star" rating. The star rating will be given as per the points scored for providing rainwater harvesting, solar power, drainage and sewage management facilities along with other amenities, the proposal says. The concession in premium charges ranging from 10 % to 50 %, will be given according to this star rating.
More information at: The Times of India, 7 November 2010
'Change trend in building infrastructure: Pachauri'
Considering the current infrastructure boom in Bengaluru, the state government must frame by-laws to change the trend in building infrastructure, feels Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director-General, TERI. The government must encourage architects and builders to go for Green Buildings which are the need of the hour to fight the energy crisis and climate change, Dr Pachauri said while speaking on the sidelines of a day-long session on ‘Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Karnataka: Key Achievements and Way Forward’. According to Dr Pachauri, the new buildings coming up in Bengaluru and elsewhere are fast becoming ‘energy guzzling structures’ instead of being energy efficient ones.
More information at: Deccan Chronicle, 23 October 2010
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/change-trend-building-infrastructure-pachauri-791
'Calling: More architects to Bengal with green building knowhow'
Joining the world in fighting back global warming, the West Bengal state government is emphasizing on churning out more architects with proper knowledge and skills to build green buildings in Bengal. In September 2010, ADARSH (Association for Development and Research on Sustainable Habitats) in association with TERI and West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation conducted a three-day training workshop in which 35 city architects had participated.
More information at: The Times of India, 11 October 2010
'Soon, green buildings by MHADA'
MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority), the pioneer of low-cost housing, will for the first time build eco-friendly homes. The authority has started work to ensure that majority of the next batch of 4941 low-cost homes, which will be sold at their lottery next year, are environment friendly and consume minimal natural resources. The MHADA will call these constructions 'Green Buildings'. The buildings will have solar panels, water and sewage recycling plants and several energy saving devices.
More information at: Hindustan Times, 2 October 2010
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Soon-green-buildings-by-Mhada/Article1-607107.aspx
'Guidelines, ratings for green campuses on the cards: Interview with Secretary, MNRE, Mr. Deepak Gupta'
In an interview with the newspaper, Secretary, MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), Mr Deepak Gupta said that so far 30 lakh sqm floor area has got registered under the GRIHA National Rating System for 45 projects for which constructions and evaluation are in progress. The Centre has taken a decision that all new central government buildings will henceforth be at least 3-star GRIHA rated and 4-star where site conditions permit.
More information at: The Financial Express, 20 September 2010
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/guidelines-ratings-for-green-campuses-on-the-cards/684006/0
'Green building lessons for Kolkata city architects in the offing'
In Kolkata, though architects are said to be working towards eco-friendly, energy-efficient structures, they find themselves in a bind over the lack of formal training in this particular field. With the aim of helping them tide over this problem, a three-day workshop by Association for Development and Research on Sustainable Habitats (Adarsh) in association with TERI and WBGEDC (West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation) has been planned. Hoping to make architects aware of what goes into the making of a green building, WBGEDC managing director Dr. S. P. Gon Chaudhuri said that about 22 city architects will be attending the workshop, beginning September 15, to gain thorough knowledge about what it takes to construct a green building.
More information at: The Times of India, 12 September 2010
'PCMC to introduce green rating for new buildings'
The PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) in Maharashtra took a step further towards energy and environment conservation with its plans to give green rating to new buildings. PCMC has decided to adopt the guidelines laid by TERI for rating green buildings. The buildings will be given ratings on the scale of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, depending upon the number of eco-friendly measures taken. The developers will get concessions in premium charges paid to the PCMC while residents of green buildings will be given rebate in property tax.
More information at: The Times of India, 8 September 2010
'Work begins on making Capital's building green'
The Delhi Environment Department has started short-listing consultants for its ambitious plan to make 100 government buildings in the Capital energy-efficient without making major changes to the primary structure. The State Environment Department had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with TERI to initiate retrofitting of 100 government buildings. Delhi Secretariat, Vikas Minar and Soochna Bhavan will be part of the first lot that will be converted and made energy-efficient.
More information at: The Hindu, 12 August 2010
http://hindu.com/2010/08/12/stories/2010081261690400.htm
'National Mission on Sustainable Habitat'
The Government has approved "National Mission on Sustainable Habitat" that seeks to promote sustainability of habitats through improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, urban planning, improved management of solid and liquid waste, modal shift towards public transport and conservation through appropriate changes in legal and regulatory framework. It also seeks to improve ability of habitats to adapt to climate change by improving resilience of infrastructure, community based disaster management and measures for improving advance warning systems for extreme weather events. The Mission is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan for Climate Change and addresses sustainability concerns related to habitats, primarily urban areas.
More information at: Press Information Bureau, 6 August 2010
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=64287
'Residential apartments may soon get rated for energy efficiency'
Residential flats may soon be rated for energy efficiency, much like refrigerators and air conditioners. The BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency), a statutory body under the power ministry that looks at energy conservation measures, is planning to extend its so-called star labelling system--currently used to grade consumer appliances--to apartments. Currently, the labelling system rates appliances on a scale of one to five--one star indicating the least energy conservation. Participation was initially voluntary for appliance manufacturers, but it has been made mandatory since 1 January in a bid to curtail India's gross energy consumption. India, the world's second fastest growing major economy, is among the highest consumers of energy and contributes significantly to the emission of gases that cause global warming and large-scale climate change. As ecological awareness grows, experts and builders say an energy efficiency rating for houses can help market them too.
More information at: Mint, 3 August 2010
'Plotting a green footprint for commercial buildings'
Five years from now, most new buildings will consume much less energy. This is because in three years, they will be mandated to comply with India’s new mission on building sustainable habitats in cities and urban centres, especially the large commercial buildings. All the ratings and certification schemes, whether Griha (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) from TERI, ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) or IGBC (Indian Green Building Council), are voluntary. This business-as-usual approach is set to change with the introduction of the Mission on Sustainable Habitat. Within three years, ECBC will be made mandatory for commercial buildings.
More information at: Mint, 27 July 2010
http://www.livemint.com/2010/07/26194539/Plotting-a-green-footprint-for.html?h=B
'TERI meet to promote green buildings'
With an annual increase in the built-up area of residential and commercial buildings by 10 per cent, the projected annual increase in the energy demand is 5.4 billion kWh. The need of the hour is to design and construct ‘high performance buildings’ so that the use of electricity can be controlled. Aiming at this target, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India and TERI will host a training programme and industry meet on ‘High performance commercial buildings in India’ on 9 July 2010. The workshop is a result of the partnership of the two organisations under the Asia Pacific Partnership of Clean Development and Climate.
More information at: The Times of India, 5 July 2010
'Gurgaon's green, their envy'
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's terminal Metro station in Gurgaon in Sector 29 will be its first eco-friendly green building with GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) certification. Projected to be ready by October, the six-floor metro station is being constructed in consultation with TERI with clay tiles to keep the building thermal-insulated from weather. The use of water and waste management strategies, optimization of climatic factors such as wind loads, use of solar energy and air movement patterns, balanced combination of water, material and energy and recycling of waste water and rain water harvesting are the key to making the building green.
More information at: The Hindustan Times, 21 June 2010
'Commercial buildings must go green in three years' time'
The PM's council on climate change has cleared the Urban Habitat Mission under the NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change) which will make the energy-saving building codes mandatory in three years for new commercial buildings. The Urban Habitat Mission, one of the eight under the NAPCC, is the penultimate one to be cleared by the PM's council and is intended to set in several changes in the way cities are planned and mobility planned. While the energy-saving building codes are already in place, they have not been implemented as they remain voluntary in character. The mission will set up demonstration projects across the country and provide the funds to push states to alter building byelaws and other regulations in order to move towards greener habitats.
More information at: The Times of India, 19 June 2010
'Competing rating systems put realty developers in a quandary'
India has two competing systems to rate how green a building really is. There is the energy compliance certificate issued by the Indian Green Building Council (LEED India) and the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment). The former is benchmarked with global standards while the latter is home-grown. GRIHA is an easy, yet comprehensive rating system designed for India. The LEED India rating is primarily based on per capita energy consumption in developed nations like the US. India’s per capita consumption of energy is still very low, according to Mr. Siva Kishan, chief executive at the GRIHA secretariat in New Delhi. “International codes usually take a hypothetical case. GRIHA takes an absolute number, which is easily understood,” said Ms. Mili Majumdar, associate director for sustainable building sciences at TERI, which built the GRIHA ratings in 2005 with funding from the ministry of new and renewable energy. The ministry has made it mandatory for government buildings to obtain a GRIHA rating as a precondition for departments to get subsidies and other financial assistance for green development
More information at: Mint, 2 June 2010
http://www.livemint.com/2010/06/02220306/Competing-rating-systems-put-r.html?h=B
'Green habitat rules in a month'
The government plans to introduce environment rating of habitats, a logical extension of its GRIHA (green rating for integrated habitat assessment) system for new buildings. Under the proposal, integrated townships, new urban complexes and special economic zones may have to get green rating certification. Large projects involving the development of industrial, commercial and housing clusters will come under government scrutiny. The MNRE has constituted a committee of experts to get a comprehensive set of suggestions from builders, town planners, architects, government officials, developers, environment experts and officials. The exercise is also being supported by the Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitat, jointly supported by the MNRE and TERI.
More information at: The Economic Times, 15 May 2010
'A green estimate: rating system'
GRIHA is a useful tool that assesses the resources and energy used by a project, under 34 criteria including site selection. GRIHA – Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment – is a rating system that assesses the resources and energy utilized by a project in comparison with national benchmarks. The aim is to ensure that the building addresses environmental issues in an integrated and scientific manner.
More information at: Deccan Herald, 27 May 2010
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71863/a-green-estimate.html
'Hyderabad unveils eco-friendly norms'
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has come out with environmental building guidelines that seek to address environmental concerns in urban development. These environmental guidelines have been prepared after a two-year study initiated by the HMDA with the help of TERI and Terra Virdis, UK. This has resulted in 41 simple building guidelines which, when implemented, could prepare the ground for change. Based on the study and inputs from stakeholders, the HMDA has brought out a manual for the rapidly growing Hyderabad metropolitan area. The Environmental Building Regulation Guideline is focused on creating awareness on environmental issues and outlines model parameters to minimize the negative impact of construction on the ecosystem. This would also limit the pressure on infrastructure such as electricity, water, sewage disposal, both in the main city and suburban regions now under various stages of development. The guidelines also deal with different aspects including improved heating and cooling systems, and outline the way a house should be constructed to enable use of natural lighting and ventilation.
More information at: The Hindu Business Line, 28 March 2010
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2010/03/28/stories/2010032850621500.htm
'Government steps up drive to make office buildings green'
In two years, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, which comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and being constructed over a 9000 sq mt plot at Aliganj in Delhi, will be showcased as the government's drive to setup green buildings. It will have all the features of a green building: Enough sunlight, instead of artificial fluorescent lights; natural cooling, instead of air-conditioners; solar power, instead of artificial power generation, and much more. Though late in the day, government offices are fast trying to catch up with the private sector in eco-friendly construction. The ministry aims for Paryavaran Bhawanto be credited with the prestigious platinum rating under Leed-India(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green building rating system of the Indian Green Building Council). Meanwhile, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in collaboration with TERI, has set up GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), a rating agency which will approve a building as green under certain parameters.
More information at: Business Standard, 18 February 2010
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/govt-stepsdrive-to-make-office-buildings-green/386065/
'Power-saving drive may earn stars for buildings'
In line with the developed world that has strict norms for energy-efficiency, India will soon implement star-rating schemes under ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) for all buildings that have high-energy consumption. BEE (The Bureau of Energy Efficiency) - the nodal regulatory agency for energy conservation under the ministry of power - will issue specific ECBC star-rating norms for all existing, new residential and commercial buildings, including hotels, hospitals, malls, shopping complexes, educational institutions and IT parks with average electricity consumption of 500 kw or more. The government has already mandated ECBC norms for state-owned buildings, and is also likely to make it mandatory for private commercial buildings and luxury residential by 2011, according to government officials. ECBC, mandated by the Energy Conservation Act of 2001 and issued in 2007, is a document that specifies energy performance requirements for all commercial buildings in India, with an electrical connected load of 500 kw or more. Under this code, BEE had launched star-rating schemes for office buildings and IT sector's business process outsourcing, operating round the clock with high-energy consumption. Further, it is in the process of introducing similar provisions for other high-end energy consumers such as luxury hotels, malls and IT parks.
More information at: The Economic Times, 4 February 2010
'Green rating must for government buildings'
In a landmark decision, the Union government has made it mandatory for all new buildings of the public sector undertakings and the government to seek new green rating norms in an effort to ensure energy efficiency and tackle climate change threats. Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah said at the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) function that buildings would have to comply with the requirement of at least 3-star rating under the GRIHA scheme. Efforts would be, however, made for higher rating by such buildings subject to the site condition, as western rating systems were not suited for Indian climate. Under the GRIHA scheme, buildings would be rated by technical expertise from TERI, which is headed by Dr R K Pachauri. The aim of a green building design was to minimize the demand for non-renewable sources and maximize its utilization.
More information at: The Hindu, 5 January 2010
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/05/stories/2010010561502000.htm
'GRIHA organizes its first national conference and exhibition on green building'
The sustainability of the building industry is crucial to the economic, social, and human development of India. The annual growth rate of our construction industry is far higher than the global average. Further, it contributes significantly to our GDP (5%–10%). Direct employment generated is second only to agriculture; with indirect employment generation in ancillary industries, as high as 5%–10%. Recognizing its relevance, the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) Secretariat, with the help of TERI and MNRE organized the first GRIHA National Conference. More than 70% of the infrastructure needed for a developed India is yet to be built and that gives great opportunity to build green. The scale and pace of construction in India is unparalleled and at this scale, cost of green building materials, renewable energy systems, and design services can all be brought down for everyone's benefit. Green rating systems for buildings emerged in various countries to strike a balance between development and environment preservation. India has maintained this balance for centuries and can fallback on its architectural heritage and traditional wisdom to maintain this balance. Green ratings can help sustain it by combining time-tested wisdom with scientifically rigorous validation procedures.
More information at: Express India, 4 January 2010
N Deepa
Lebanon
‘Stepping up: towards Green Architecture in Lebanon’
Nowadays there is remarkable awareness about green architecture in a country that has witnessed long years of wars and conflicts. The outcome is briefly presented here through a set of private initiatives aspiring towards a better built environment that is in harmony within its natural setting. The willingness to contribute to the global efforts on sustainable development appears through a bottom-up approach dedicated to promoting green architecture in various forms. These include private houses, and individual green projects both by local and international architects, for example the design of a city centre residential building by Herzog & de Meuron. Among local architects designing green buildings, Prime Design and Atef Tabet Architects should be mentioned.
Beirut Terraces by Herzog & de Meuron. (Source: http://www.livegreenblog.com/sustainable-architecture/beirut-terraces-a-new-sustainable-residential-high-rise--6304/)
In particular, educational institutions are implementing green building projects in their premises, some constructed in accordance with the LEED certification. Examples include Charles Hostler Centre at the American University of Beirut (AUB), which is probably one of the remarkable green buildings in Lebanon. At AUB there is also the Iran Oxy Engineering Complex designed by Lebanese architect Nabil Gholam and seeking LEED certification.
The Charles Hostler Student Centre. (Source: http://www.carboun.com/sustainable-development/sustainable-design/the-american-university-in-beirut-combines-innovation-and-traditional-design/#more-293)
Similarly, the International College Elementary School addition, which is designed by American Flansburgh Architects and K&A local consultants, has been conceived as a green project, with an emphasis on shading systems, green roofs, good insulation and natural ventilation. It also has low energy consumption and promotes green mobility by the supply of bicycle storage for staff and pupils.
College Elementary School. (Source: courtesy of K&A Consultants)
The Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) in the area of Zouk Mosbeh has also committed itself to sustainable development through the premises for the ongoing construction of the Faculty of Architecture Art and Design (FAAD). Passive and active energy strategies are included in the FAAD building: these include insulation, natural ventilation, heating and cooling through an active mechanical system and the use of solar captors for water heating, which also act as a sun shading device.
The NDU FAAD Building. Source: NDU Spirit, December 2010, Issue N°50
Other initiatives by educational institutions include the work of Majal, an academic urban observatory that is concerned with sustainability in Lebanon and is part of the Urban Planning Institute, at ALBA, Balamand University.
There are also exhibitions promoting green construction and conferences raising awareness on green architecture. Finally, there is the non-governmental initiative to set green building standards developed by the Green Building Council.
This overview clearly suggests that Lebanon is stepping up towards meeting its goal of achieving a better living environment.
More information at:
http://primedesignpea.com/Architecture.aspx
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=13302
http://www.eecosolutions.com/events.html
http://www.lebanon-gbc.org/Component/Static/FAQlgbc.asp
Christine Mady
Jean Pierre El Asmar
Colombia
‘‘Social Housing Programme: VIP Project, Viviendas para la Prosperidad"
The deficit of VIS (Social Interest Housing - Vivienda de Interés Social in Spanish) in Colombia is over 1 million units. Some of the reasons behind this deficit are low levels of family income, the dispersion of rural population, rapid growth of cities and, sadly more and more important, natural disasters. During the past rainy season, the worst in 60 years, left 1.2 million victims, increasing the quantitative and qualitative deficit of housing. Among the factors that hinder the implementation of effective solutions (technological/social/environmental) in Colombia, are the complexity of the situation and its internal consequences (no. 1 on IDPs), climatic and cultural diversity that make it difficult to apply universal solutions, and the disconnection between state agencies responsible for formulating solutions and action plans. Another reason to propose the development of this programme is the fact that construction methods used in currently ongoing and projected VIS projects are based mostly on conventional bricks and mortar, with consequent problems of scale inefficiency, high environmental pollution and deforestation levels, low and slow social ownership compared to the rapidly growing demand. The SHP aims to contribute in an effective, sustainable way to reduce social housing deficit through a strategy involving the various factors described above.
VIP Project, Viviendas para la Prosperidad. Conceptual map. (Source: UNO+UNO, professional office focused on the Design of Strategies for Social Impact).
The SHP is a system of collaborative action, where housing becomes an excuse and opportunity to provide communities with tools to build projects of habitability and sustainable living, from a participatory framework in which institutions (government and NGOs), corporations and allied specialized companies that normally would work in a disjointed manner, are linked to the project.
More information at: www.unomasuno.com
‘‘The activities of Corona Foundation to promote social equity and poverty reduction"
Fundación Corona is a private non profit organization that supports and funds initiatives oriented towards strengthening the institutional capacity of the country in four strategic social sectors: education, health, entrepreneurial development and local and community development. To reach these goals, Fundación Corona works in alliance with different strategic partners like NGO's, enterprises and the media.
One of the most interesting initiatives promoted by the Foundation is the How are we doing? programme involving a growing number of cities in Colombia (Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla...) and that it's starting to be replicated in other cities in Brazil. The project aims at the promotion of more accountable, democratic, effective local governments that respond better to the needs of their citizens. One of the key issues addressed by the project is urban quality of life.
Medellín cómo vamos. (Source: www.medellincomovamos.org/)
It is also worth mentioning the Corona Prize Pro Habitat, launched in 2006 to reduce the deficit of social housing in Colombia while improving its quality. The 2011 edition of the prize is currently open.
The Corona Prize Pro Habitat is intended for Colombian architects, industrial designers and engineers and awards realized housing projects, furniture, objects and new construction materials in which recycling principles are applied and structures, systems, grids and products are reutilized.
(Source: www.corona.com.co/PremioCorona/ViewContent.aspx?Content=337)
More information at:
www.fundacioncorona.org.co/Default_en.htm
http://reddeciudadescomovamos.org/
http://reddeciudadescomovamos.org/
Juana Mariño Drews
Libya
‘‘The enormous potential for development of renewable energies in Libya"
Libya is an oil exporting country located on the North African coast, with 6 million inhabitants distributed over an area of 1,750,000 Km2. It is also a country with an average of more than 3.500 hours of sunlight per year. However, there are still many villages and remote areas located far away from electricity networks. Economically, these areas cannot be connected to the grid, due to their small population and the small amount of energy required. In the past, these facts dictated the use of diesel generators as a power supply. Diesel generators need continuous maintenance and continuous supply of fuel. Therefore Libya is pushed to look into some other sources like renewable energy. Moreover, renewable energy provides clean and reliable energy sources which can be used in many applications in remote areas (electricity, water pumping, etc.).
At present, the Centre for Solar Energy Studies (CSES) carries an important research to develop some experimental projects involving solar powered water heating and pumping to be implemented in the country's remote areas, although not yet on a large scale.
Electricity consumption in Libya and supply resources.
(Source: Prospects of renewable energy in Libya. Ibrahim M. Saleh, 2006. Faculty of Engineering, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli)
More information at:
www.irsol.ch/spse/spse-download.php?pid=20
http://www.irsol.ch/spse/spse-download.php?pid=20
Laila Hamed Ali Abidi
Turkey
‘‘ITU Application Research Centre Building in Istanbul generates the energy it needs’’
The sustainable research centre in Istanbul Technical University Ayazaga Campus, designed by HAS Architecture, has the mission of leadership to new buildings to reduce the energy consumption and to be adapted to nature while increasing the quality of life in the built environment. There are two laboratories, a multi-purpose hall, a library and a lot of offices. Photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors, heat pumps, earth‐tube, wind generator, energy efficient wall and roof systems with wooden structures, and wooden window and door systems are used in the building, which massively considers life cycle assessment.
ITU Application Research Center, exterior view.
(Source: www.yapı.com.tr)
More information at: http://www.yapi.com.tr/HaberDosyalari/Detay_eko‐yapi‐hasmimarlik_776.html?HaberID=60048
‘‘Unilever Office Building in Istanbul gets the first LEED Certification in Turkey’’
Unilever Central Office Building located in Istanbul, is the first building that has LEED Certification in Turkey. Unilever which was designed by Sistema Technologic Construction Group, has a total area of 10.000 m². During the design and construction process, materials that consist of chemicals harmless to human health are chosen to apply.
In the building 41% of water need is supplied by the usage of rain water collector systems and the energy required is also reduced by 35% with the help of advanced HVAC technologies. The light and heat gains and losses of the built environment are controlled by sensors at specific time periods in the office which utilizes daylight at an important level.
Unilever Office Building, exterior view.
(Source: www.yapi.com.tr)
More information at: http://www.yapi.com.tr/Sektorden/unilever‐cevre‐duyarliligini‐sertifika‐iletaclandirdi_73199.html
‘‘A sustainable shopping centre in Erzurum gets the BREEAM Certification’’
BREEAM, the most used international green building standard, gave a certification with "very good" grade to Erzurum Shopping Centre, opened in the third quarter of 2009. The centre also appeals to get "BREEAM in Use Certification" to guarantee improving its environmental performance as one of the principles of environmental friendly approaches.
It is assumed that Erzurum Shopping Centre generates the least amount of carbon dioxide emission per square meter among shopping centres in Turkey by using central heating and cooling systems, and also generating electricity using cooling units with cogeneration and absorption.
Erzurum Shopping Centre, exterior perspective.
(Source: www.yapı.com.tr)
More information at:
http://www.yapi.com.tr/Sektorden/redevco‐turkiyenin‐erzurum‐avmsinebreeam‐sertifikasi_70607.html
‘‘Gordion Shopping Mall in Ankara gets the BREEAM Certification with ‘very good’ degree’’
A sustainable shopping mall in Ankara, Gordion, designed by Chapman Tylor and RedevConcepts, has a certification of BREEAM, the most used international green building standard. In order to keep improving its environmental performance, the shopping mall appeals to get "BREEAM in Use Certification".
Gordion generates an important ratio of the electricity it needs by using waste products from cogeneration electricity generation system. The carbon dioxide emission per square meter of the shopping mall is also minimized because the building is located on a subway station.
Gordion Shopping Mall, exterior perspective.
(Source: www.yapı.com.tr)
More information at:
http://www.yapi.com.tr/Sektorden/gordion‐alisveris‐merkezi‐debreeamlendi_72202.html
Ikbal Çetiner
Ayşe Selin Örkmez
Spain
"The 10th National Congress of the Environment, CONAMA"
The 10th National Congress of the Environment, CONAMA (Congreso Nacional del Medio Ambiente in Spanish) took place in Madrid from 22nd to 26th November 2010 with the motto "Now, more than ever". For the first time in its history, the CONAMA has invited a guest country, namely Brazil, to be present in this edition.
CONAMA's Spanish-Brazilian Forum on Sustainable Development.
(Source: http://www.conama10.es/web/es/brasil.html)
The Congress ended with an act during which a document including the most important conclusions reached was given to the representative of Brazil, Mr. Vicente Andreu, Director-President of Brazil's National Water Agency, ANA, who has forwarded it to Brazil's Minister of the Environment, Mrs. Izabella Teixeira to be included as part of the agenda in Río+20.
One of the main concerns of the participants reflected in the conclusions was the loss of biodiversity, whereas the main challenge to be faced in order to achieve a more sustainable development is environmental education. Without well informed responsible citizens, the changes needed will impossible.
The most important questions to be discussed during Río+20 should be universal access to water and food. Fighting poverty is also highlighted as a key issue to be dealt with and, in general, it can be said that there is a growing concern regarding the inherent inequality of our development model. Moreover, changing our consumption patterns is seen as one of the main emerging challenges, as well developing a green economy through innovation and clean technologies.
More information at:
http://www.conama10.es/web/index.php?lang=es
Carmen Antuña
Russia
“Autonomous urban complexes"
The study of small isolated urban settlements for Siberia and other far away regions of Russia is carried on by URBANISTICA center of Moscow Architectural Institute (MARHI). Urban development programme for such micro-towns includes four parts: social, economic, environmental and technical. Spatial organization of "Autonomous urban complexes" is based on: localization of production and consumption (of heat, energy, food, water); interaction of public and private elements (of the build environment, social and technical infrastructure); integration of life-support systems and nature, social life and culture; development of local para-economy and self-governance in the context of globalization.
The new city starts as a cluster and then grow by spiral. This pattern has many ecological, social and economic advantages. It was invented by the “New Element of Settlement” (NER group, formed by architects Alexej Gutnov, Ilya Lezhava and others, (1969). This drawing is a modern interpretation of this urban pattern by student A. Kravchenko - Prof. I. Lezhava (MARHI, 2010).
Autonomous urban cluster can grow in a spiral from the dense core to the low-rise periphery. Fragment of diploma project of A. Kravchenko - Prof. I. Lezhava (MARHI, 2010).
Source: Russian language magazine “Architecture and Construction in Russia” [Архитектура и Cтроительство России], No. 7, 2010, Amit - International Electronic Scientific - Educational Journal on Scientific-Technological and Educational-Methodical aspects of modern architectural education and design with the usage of video and computer technologies. More information at
http://www.marhi.ru/eng/AMIT/author.php
Alexey Krasheninnikov
Qatar
"Plans to form Middle East Green Building Network"
Green building concepts will get a major boost in the region with plans underway to establish a joint platform for Green Building Councils in the Middle East, with the participation of Qatar.
The Qatar Green Building Council has tied up with Emirates Green Building Council and Jordan Green Building Council to set up a new group that will be named the Middle East Green Building Councils Network. The Network will be led by the Emirates Green Building Council, the only GB Council in the Middle East that has the status of "Established Council" as defined by the World Green Building Council.
The coordination between GBCs in the region will focus on exchange of policies and information, joint training sessions and conferences, collaboration on research and technical issues, and joint awareness campaigns.
Ahmad Jassim Al-Jolo
Nigeria
"Two largest 2010 Nigerian architects’ gatherings focused on sustainability"
The 3rd Architects Colloquium 2010 organized by the Nigerian Institute of Architects in April 2010 and the Archibuilt 2010 Workshop hosted by Architects Registration Council of Nigeria in September 2010 are the two largest yearly events of Nigerian architects organized in the capital city Abuja, which tackled sustainability issues.
More than half of the sub-themes in the Colloquium where dedicated to maintenance and materials policy for sustainable infra-structural development, global warming and green architecture. The Archibuilt Workshop offered sessions related to sustainable development of mega cities in emerging economies while the exhibition promoted participants with renewable and alternative energy sources.
Opening Ceremony of Architects Colloquium (Source: Author’s Archives)
More information at http://www.archibuilt.org/
Bogda Prucnal-Ogunsote
Australia
"International Network for Tropical Architecture (iNTA)"
iNTA invites collaborations with various researchers and architects understanding more about holistic approaches to sustainable urban design and architecture, with both the social and environmental dimensions.
The iNTA Conference 2009 was held in Bangkok in conjunction with SEGA to discuss the topic, Bridging Innovation, Technology and Tradition: Holistic approaches to (rapid) sustainable architecture and environment. Papers from past iNTA conferences have been developed towards book and journal publications, with Elsevier Science, Journal of Green Building, Ventilation, etc.
iNTA will have the next international conference in Malaysia/Singapore in 2011, and information will be posted soon. More information about the conference and about iNTA organization can be found at
http://www.inta2009.arch.ku.ac.th/?page_id=11
Joo Hwa (Philip) Bay