Hyderabad: Sustainability, eco-friendly and green are becoming the demand of the times. From sustainable clothing to eco-friendly food to green vehicles, the changing climate has inspired generations new and old to think more than ever about our life choices. And in this whole area of things, there is a need for sustainable houses or green-houses (…)
Updated – July 9, 2022, 12:29 am
Hyderabad: Sustainability, eco-friendly and green are becoming the demand of the time. From sustainable clothing to eco-friendly food to green vehicles, the changing climate has inspired generations new and old to think more than ever about our life choices. And in this whole series of things, the need for sustainable homes or green-houses is also increasing among home buyers – especially among the new age buyers.
While home buyers are looking for homes that have solar panels, recycling units and other features that contribute to saving planet Earth, many developers are also focusing on providing homes that are good for the environment. The construction industry has a high carbon footprint accounting for approximately 39 percent of global Co2 emissions. Also, the industry generates 30 percent solid waste and 20 percent water waste, according to the report.
With this in mind, many developers and buyers are taking a fresh look at green homes.
“There are many ways we can make residential properties green. The most common of these is the use of a building’s interior materials to lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. This ensures that there is a continuous supply of fresh air in the building. On the other hand, traditional buildings require fresh air purification to maintain a healthy environment. Not only do green buildings reduce energy and water consumption, ample access to daylight and fresh air also has multiple health benefits,” says Naveen Maypala, MD, Urban Living.
India has the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) which actively promotes the concept of green building in the country. Maypala also said that developers are using sustainability techniques such as installing solar panels, recycling units and other design and construction strategies to preserve natural resources and improve the overall quality of life of residents.
The pandemic has also increased the need for sustainable homes as people are keen to live in homes that can make their lives healthy.
“The concept of self-reliant homes gained momentum during COVID-19. These self-sustainable housing societies provide companionship and a safe environment while providing amenities that reduce the need to venture outside. Developers are offering options like setting up EV stations and green protocols. We are also seeing features such as open green spaces and designated walking routes gaining traction. Many projects are focusing on landscaped gardens, jogging tracks and dedicated play areas to enhance the overall liveability. “Most larger communities also tend to have improved waste management and rainwater harvesting,” says Santosh Kumar, vice-president, Anarock Group.
Kumar also says that the concept of ESG (acronym for environmental, social and governance) is playing an important role and recently the concept is gaining prominence due to the increasing awareness about climate change and environmental damage.
“PE players/managers have more focus on projects/portfolios that focus on ESG parameters, in which the environment plays the most important component,” he said.
Mypala also said developers around the world are coming up with creative ways to build green and sustainable buildings, such as Washington’s Bullitt Center by Miller Hull Partnership and the Vertical Forest in Italy by Boeri Studio.
“In India, we have Space Station Township in Hyderabad with an S-shaped structure, which provides excellent ventilation and sunlight for all homeowners. Kennan, an architecture firm that is developing skyscrapers with solar skin to achieve net-zero energy in Australia, is another example,” he said.