UMICA JOYCE D’SOUZA elaborates on building a sustainable future by integrating energy efficiency, innovation, and inclusivity in India’s built environment
India’s building sector currently consumes almost 40% of primary energy. Energy consumption is expected to increase by 2050 along with India’s rising building stock. Sustainability expectations have evolved over the years in keeping with the global sustainable development targets to be met by 2050. According to market reports, the share of India’s green building stock (although being more expensive than conventional buildings) is projected to increase with a 20% compound annual growth rate between 2021 and 2026. Listed are the imperative ingredients that govern the way forward towards building sustainable built environments in India: Energy efficient infrastructure and buildings Developing energy-efficient infrastructure and buildings necessitates a proficient workforce to oversee greenhouse gas emissions and diminish carbon footprint. The incorporation of eco-friendly technologies like solar and biomass plays a crucial role in regulating energy consumption. Implementing passive cooling techniques, proper orientation, sustainable materials, and efficient design are essential for enhancing energy efficiency.
Climate friendly retrofits
Sustainable building retrofits help save energy, water, and reduce waste while enhancing air quality. The selection of fixtures, fittings, technologies, and materials plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall quality of life. The embodied energy involved in construction, demolition, transportation, and material selection significantly impacts the environmental performance of the building throughout its lifespan.
Low- embodied carbon materials
Utilising carbon sequestered materials produced within the local area helps to reduce embodied carbon emissions. It is crucial to choose manufacturers who prioritise sustainability and understand their environmental footprint. Sustainable designers are increasingly opting for manufacturers who offer products that disclose their global warming potential.
Recycle/ re-use wood
The reuse of materials and the creation of new job opportunities in the recycling industry leads to cost savings. Through a succession of different products, a single piece of wood can be reused and recycled, ultimately reducing the volume of virgin wood that requires harvesting from forests. Almost all types of solid wood can be reused, including salvaging wood from old buildings, for design and construction. Recycled wood also has less moisture content, adding to its value.
Vertical and horizontal urban farming
Vertical farming utilises vertical towers, columns, and shelves on roofs to grow crops, offering an innovative approach to food production. On the other hand, horizontal farming, a conventional method, is typically conducted outdoors, capitalising on natural growth conditions and requiring less space compared to vertical farming. Utilising green roofs design is a creative approach to urban farming.
Smart city IoT
Smart cities utilise Internet of Things (IoT) sensors within urban environments to gather data and automate various systems like traffic flow, energy consumption, and waste disposal. This integration of technology enhances the effectiveness of public services, cuts down on expenses, and elevates the quality of life for residents. By leveraging a network of sensors and interconnected devices, smart cities can access real-time data to optimize the delivery of services.
Building resilience
Enhancing resilience in the built environment requires a combination of strategies such as structural design, natural ventilation, water management, reliability, redundancy, spatial planning, green infrastructure rehabilitation, and disaster preparedness. Implementing these strategies collectively will ensure the longevity and success of our buildings and infrastructure.
Convenient walkable mix-use developments
Mixed-use developments are becoming increasingly popular as they combine different types of land use, such as residential, commercial, and recreational, within a single neighbourhood. Walkable mixed-use developments offer numerous advantages in creating lively, convenient, environmentally friendly, and healthy communities that are perfect for living, working, and playing. As the demand for more liveable and connected neighbourhoods continues to grow, mixed use developments are set to play a crucial role in prioritising wellness and shaping
future cities.
Nature based solutions
Safeguarding, preserving, rejuvenating, responsibly utilising, and overseeing ecosystems will contribute to the well being of the environment while addressing vital socio-environmental issues. Through the natural preservation of coastal areas, native species, plant-covered terrains, and the establishment of carbon-sequestering environments, both people and nature will flourish.
Inclusive design
Inclusive design encompasses a design approach that embraces and leverages the complete spectrum of human diversity, taking into account different cultures, economic backgrounds, educational levels, genders, ages, geographical locations, languages, races, and more. Moreover, inclusive design guarantees accessibility for individuals with physical and cognitive impairments. This involves creating designs that cater to wheelchair users and implementing Braille signage for individuals with visual impairments. Public health and wellbeing spaces Well-designed public spaces are critical in enhancing the overall well-being and public health of individuals. These spaces, including sidewalks, public squares, parks, and green areas, are integral to the health and happiness of city dwellers. They are strategically planned to promote better air quality and thermal comfort. By fostering social interactions and providing opportunities for recreational activities.
Conclusion
Designers have a pivotal role in shaping the built environment, influencing decisions ranging from overall planning of climate positive design for planet and public wellbeing to material choices. Collaboration among design experts from various fields like architecture, landscape architecture, planning, and engineering is essential for the success of multi-scale projects. Our combined endeavours will produce groundbreaking and imaginative solutions that pave the way for climate friendly results, elimination of operational emissions and creation of durable buildings and communities for a sustainable future.
