A delegation from Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Singapore visited Kochi to explore the possibilities of developing Green Eco Smart City project in Ernakulam district.
At a round table organised by the Indian Green Building Council, Kochi Chapter, here, the delegation exchanged views with those interested in the subject, including GCDA Chairman N Venugopal.
Indian Green Building Council Kochi Chapter chairman B R Ajit presided over the meeting. Zeng Han Jun, country manager, South Asia and Middle East Desk, BCA, said that India and Singapore could collaborate on projects on the line of Tianjin Eco City, a joint venture of Singapore and China governments.
The Tianjin Eco City’s vision is to be a “a thriving city which is socially harmonious, environmentally friendly and resource- efficient - a model for sustainable development.” The project started in 2007 and during the first phase, 15,000 green houses were constructed by 2011.
The Eco City’s basic infrastructure is complete and the first batch of residents moved in during early 2012. Tiajin Eco City has a total land area of 30 sq km and when fully completed in around 2020, it will have a population of 350,000. The site comprised mainly saltpans, barren land and polluted water bodies.
According to A C S Jayapaul, head, South Asia Desk, BCA, to date, the Eco City has attracted S$231.2 million worth of investments from Singapore-based companies. This makes up 46 per cent of the Eco City’s total commercial investments.
Green Building Council Kochi Chapter vice-chairman Ambadi Krishna Menon, architect S Gopakumar, Joseph Philip, Building Software Consultant, architect Mathew Joseph, architect Saira Mathew, Krishnakumar, Energy Management Consultant and Ammu Ajit also spoke.
