Interview of Ms. Nalini Thakur, Professor Architectural Conservation, School of Planning and Architecture
Heritage buildings teach energy efficiency
Ms. Nalini Thakur, Professor Architectural Conservation at School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, in an interview with Built Expressions stresses on that a careful planning of cities, design of new development and regions can mitigate. Planning should plan for high densities for in areas well outside old cities and regions with cultural and sacred values.
What are the several issues identified for sustainable urban built environment? How do we proactively address them?
The issues and problems that limit sustainability are very “deep”. Proactive action from one group or one sector is inadequate. The complexity of larger community with its own dynamics of aspirations and conflicts has to be guided in order to be contained within a framework that enables for sustainable built environments. Because of the paradigm shift and the problem because of shortsighted we are not able to harness the human potential, beyond disciplines
What are the effects of Urbanisation on environment? How do we mitigate this challenge in urban environment?
I would like to talk from the perspective of architectural heritage of cities and countryside as a category of irreplaceable resource. This is a man -made irreplaceable resource and living documents of traditional/ historical knowledge systems. By losing heritage we lose our cultural memory and knowledge systems that has been acquired by the community in the past which have relevance. By keeping heritage we are enabling the present society to rediscover for today. Careful planning of cities, design of new development and regions can mitigate. Planning should plan for high densities for in areas well outside old cities and regions with cultural and sacred values.
As an architect, how do you visualize a future eco friendly city? What important parameters of built environment this city shall address?
What are the energy efficiency options that should be made mandatory in a building at the time of plan approval? Are there any steps initiated by the concerned authorities in this direction?
All I know is that many of the old buildings use energy in innovative and efficient ways. There is a lot to learn from its study.
What is the impact of embodied energy of construction materials in the construction of High Performance buildings for sustainable future?
New methods are required to be worked out for evaluating performance of historic structures and presented in a comparative manner to judge.
Eco Friendly Cities in the World
Barcelona is one of the most eco-friendly cities in the world but also one of the most elegant because of its rehabilitated buildings, solar power generation, and hydrogen bus pilot program. The city’s exceptional style of arts and aesthetics was depicted by the 113,000 square-foot solar panel situated in the Forum Esplanade. The solar panels were not only designed for decoration, instead it supplies sufficient electricity to the public utility system. The engineered solar panels help reduce carbon emissions by 440 tons per year, thus contributing to the preservation of the environment.
Sweden is a country that leads in green electricity solutions. Most of the country’s electricity comes from nuclear and hydropower. A city such as Malmo is contributing to the green project of Sweden with plans to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent between 2008 and 2012. To achieve the city’s target, citizens across Malmo are transforming into sustainable, eco-friendly cooperatives particularly the areas of Western Harbour, Sege Park and Augustenborg. Western Harbour, a former shipyard that runs on 100-percent renewable energy from sun, wind and water, as well as bio-fuels generated from organic waste. Malmo is also known for its wide green fields and parks. New constructions and renovations utilize innovations and utilize green solutions for maximum positive eco-impact.
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Reykjavik is the smallest amazing green city on the list, with only about 115,000 people residing in the city and roughly 300,000 people in the entire country of Iceland. Its impact on the environment has been amazing. By the year 2050, Iceland plans to free itself from dependence on fossil fuels and become a hydrogen economy. Already, Reykjavik is harnessing energy and produces electricity entirely from hydropower and geothermal resources. The city is known for the use of renewable energy to power hydrogen-fueled buses for transportation and free of greenhouse gas emissions. Iceland has developed an environmental policy. The goal of their policy is to minimize Iceland’s total environmental impact and to establish sustainable practices by optimizing the use of the resources.
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