The residential market in Chennai has already begun to see a revival, after going through a pandemic-induced slump in 2020. The realty sector in Chennai has been witnessing steady growth since the third quarter ending September 2020, says a report from The Hindu. But how many among the new projects, with multi-storeyed apartments and offices, will actually go green?
According to the Indian Green building Council, “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.”
It has been 18 years since a building in Hyderabad (CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre) was awarded the first platinum rated green building in India. The green building movement in Chennai still remains at a nascent stage due to the absence of policies and involvement from all stakeholders.
What stops us as individuals from taking measures to ensure more environmentally sustainable homes and workspaces?
Read more: Solar rooftop for your home in Chennai: Challenges and solutions
There are many myths surrounding the concept of a green building. That these buildings are costly and consume a lot of space are just two among these. “The construction cost of a green building is just 5 per cent higher than an ordinary building, as we would be investing in technological aspects such as water meters, solar infrastructure etc. It is an investment for a lifetime, from which returns could be expected in less than five years,” says Anupama Mohanram, co-Founder and head of Green Evolution, an architecture firm that designs energy-efficient homes.
Citizen Matters spoke to Anupama Mohanram to clear some fundamental doubts about green buildings and seek cost-effective tips to create cleaner, greener indoor spaces.
Watch the interview here:
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