The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) will announce a new policy to promote the concept of green buildings in the city.
The policy will be announced on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5.
According to SMC officials, builders promoting green buildings, which maximize the use of natural resources, will get some waivers in certain fees and deposits. They will also get more floor space index (FSI) along with subsidies on plants for the green spaces planning in the new schemes.
Surat, which is the fourth fastest growing city in the world, has at least 10 such innovative projects of environment-friendly buildings lined up. The design of these buildings includes creation of water bodies and green canopy along with roof-top solar energy panels along with water recycling facilities.
“The number of green buildings planned in the city is enough. We need every new project coming up over 4,000 sq metres of plot are to be a green building project to thwart the impact climate change,” said a high ranking official from SMC.
“We are going to take steps to encourage more and more green buildings in the city. We would come up with some thing special that encourages developers to go for green buildings,” said Manoj Das, municipal commissioner.
At present, Surat has more than 10 lakh dwellings including nearly 5,000 multi-storied structures that are above five floors.
Experts have always rued the lack of enough green space in the city at a time when climate change impact has started becoming visible.
“The creation of concrete jungle in the city without enough green space is worrisome,” said Professor Mahesh Desai of SVNIT.
“With river flowing through the city, we have the best location to create a green mass within and around the city to stem the effects of climate change,” he said.
The present building laws of the state do not encourage green building concepts. “Our building by-laws have nothing that encourage builder and architects to come up with green building plans. Some do it themselves for designing purpose,” said Sanjay Joshi, a city-based architect.
“Builders must take the initiative to develop water bodies, solar panels and green space in their projects,” said Joshi.
Velji Shota, president of Surat Builders Association (SBA) said, ” We will openly welcome any steps taken by authorities to promote green buildings.”
Model eco-friendly house
Recently, the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai conferred Best Innovation award to Ahmedabad-based Vishwakarma Engineering College’s students for their model of eco-friendly house.
The students’ team led by Advait Gaur prepared a model house which not only saves energy but saves 40 per cent water as it has a provision of reuse of water. The model is based on optimum use of natural atmosphere and so has bedrooms in north as the sun rays are obstructed while reaching in that direction and so the room remains cooler than others. Drawing rooms, gallery and moving space is in the south. A step power is placed near the house and fitted with PVC glass which circulates cool and hot air in proper proportions, which minimizes the use of fans and air-conditioners.
