In recent years, there has been significant increase in people’s standards of living around the globe due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. However, these rapid developments have also resulted in exploitation and overuse of natural resources, which are now hitting us back in the form of global warming, natural calamities, etc. We are at such a critical phase that we are unable to rectify past mistakes, and are compelled to acknowledge that we need innovative ideas to help our environment. People are slowly realizing the need to protect the environment so that quality of life for our generation and future generations can be assured. Of late, construction industry is also going through a lot of changes, and eco-friendly materials are slowly replacing conventional construction material. This change in attitude is called Green Building concept. Developing countries need to embrace this technology for a revolution in construction and environmental protection. [break]
Many countries have begun promoting a green technology approach in construction. However, due to lack of awareness and misconception about green building, the concept has been limited to developed countries, and has not been widely received in the developing world. It is imperative that the concept is spread to developing countries, in view of the high volume of construction there. Governments in developing countries should take the lead in creating awareness programs, and create ground rules for people to start embracing the technology. It is important that government defines rules and protocols for certification/registration of buildings at a basic level. Some of these basic levels could be as simple as sustainable site development, water saving, energy efficiency, use of locally available material, indoor environmental quality and eco-friendly designs.
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A green building is a sustainable building which is eco-friendly and resource efficient. Green building helps to reduce the pollution from industries, automobiles, houses, pesticides, etc. However, lack of awareness on this technology, coupled with improper city planning, and government’s lack of support, has challenged implementation of green technology. Developed countries like the US and UK kick-started the effort to make people aware of this technology by providing aid for implementation through organizations like USGBC (United State Green Building Council), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) and NAHB (National Authority of High Rise Buildings). In India, the task has been taken up by IGBC (Indian Green Building Council). The aim of the Council is to reduce the pollution that emanates from houses and industries, and seek alternative renewable resources of energy for efficient use of building materials.
The point system for awarding IGBC credits has been studied in detail, and it has been observed that the system is too complex for low and middle income groups in developing countries. Thus there is the need to review and suggest a more appropriate system of categorizing Green Houses in developing countries. In the same way, Nepal should approach this technology by implementing a governing council which can perform research on green technology on the basis of factors like area, type of design, materials used, etc. Also, components like landscape, parking facilities, energy performance, grey-water management, management of irrigation systems, and credits, also need to be factored in so that certification as green building is made easy for houses of low and middle income groups. This would go a long way towards promoting sustainable development. The world is rushing towards green technology, and Nepal should not lag. Our government should collaborate with researchers and come up with a feasible plan to make green technology effective, and make it easy for people to embrace it.
The author is Civil Engineer at Basha Research Cooperation, Singapore
pragyan.bhattarai@gmail.com
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