ACE Update – July 2019

Mala Singh, Co-Chairperson,

Mumbai Chapter-IGBC

To achieve the goal of environment

conservation, the concept of green building

must be top objective by all decision

makers, architects, government bodies and

other construction stakeholders.

Manish Dikshit, Founding Principal,

AUM Architects

Incorporating green roofs is a useful

measure that is feasible to be

implemented, owing to the lack of space in

metropolitans to acquire garden areas.

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ACEARCHITECTURECONSTRUCTIONENGINEERINGUPDATE july 2019 11

Based on data provided by agencies, India is leading the
green building movement in the Asia Pacific region, with
maximum number of LEED projects in 2018. Apart from
the commercial buildings, LEED projects are also seen
in sectors like education, manufacturing, hospitality to
name a few. LEED-certified metros and LEED for cities
are also adding the momentum to the green building
movement in India. And, most importantly, now, this has
become an emerging trend for making of New India.
The policy makers, developers and other stakeholders
are consciously getting prepared to include this green
perception for making better future.

According to Mala Singh, Co-Chairperson, Mumbai
Chapter-IGBC, to achieve the goal of environment
conservation, the concept of green building must be top
objective by all decision makers, architects, government
bodies and other construction stakeholders. “Green
buildings have both tangible and intangible benefits.
Intangible benefits include environmental conservation
and reduction of carbon footprint. Tangible benefits
include water and energy savings, waste reduction and
efficient facility management and effective operations
and maintenance,” says Singh.

Besides this, green developments are designed to
prioritise occupant comfort and well-being. A green
building is planned to ensure optimum daylighting
and ventilation for its occupants. The government has
incorporated green building norms in environmental
approvals and its regulations framework throughout
India and encouraging it by providing incentives in the
form of FSI to developers and reduction development
charges to developers and property tax rebates.
“Government has made a policy framework to encourage
green and sustainable development to promote resource
efficiency and environmental conservation. These have

been implemented in various states and under process in

some others. However, there is a need for these policies

to be streamlined and mandated with good governance

mechanism,” Singh adds.

Sustainable approach

While considering and following the concept of green

building there are various factors need to be thought over

before implementation and execution of the projects.

Most importantly, reduction in the carbon footprint that

a structure inflicts the environment with, is the most

effective measure to reduce negative effects of the built

form on the natural world. “Incorporating green roofs is a

useful measure that is feasible to be implemented, owing

to the lack of space in metropolitans to acquire garden

areas. This provides a canopy of vitality over the structure,

imparting it with a quaint cover of green that is appealing

yet functionable. A green wall plays the role and may be

constructed as a part of the façade or even in the interiors