May 7, 2013

Architects, developers, green solution providers, energy and water companies, RWAs and NGOs of Gurgaon came together to discuss and deliberate how Gurgaon could take the next steps to promote green buildings in an effort to become a Smart and Sustainable City. Green Buildings be it residences, offices, malls, hospital, commercial complexes or manufacturing units help conserve resources by incorporating common sense approach in design and employing concepts such as rainwater harvesting, using energy efficient appliances as well as through use of special eco-friendly products. Gurgaon already has a number of green buildings to its credit such as the ITC Green Centre, Fortis Hospital, IRRAD Building, Wipro Campus, Delta India Electronics Unit, Tatvam Vilas and the TERI Retreat. p>However, there is a need for greater promotional push from the government, a more collaborative approach amongst various stakeholders as well as better understanding about green concepts in the general public. The workshop was attended by architects, developers, energy efficiency companies, environmentalists, NGOs, green building owners, heads of citizens’ bodies of Gurgaon, RWAs and citizens of Gurgaon. It covered topics such as cost benefit analysis of green buildings vs conventional building, how and why to procure a green rating, materials, technologies and concepts that go into making a building green. It also showcased some success stories of green buildings and deliberated on how should Gurgaon take its next steps towards promoting green buildings. Top officials from BEE, TERI, Green Consulting Companies, Solution and Technology providing Companies as well as Green Building Owners and Architects were the speakers at the event. Speaking at the event, the chief guest Mr Praveen Kumar, Administrator, HUDA said , “ The planning for city of Gurgaon is not bad, but a lot more can be done in making it more sustainable. Water bodies in the city need to be preserved for future. We need to work more closely with all the stakeholders including developers to see that Gurgaon takes concerted steps towards developing green buildings”. Gurgaon First, a citizens’ initiative conceptualized and organised the event. ‘The workshop would hopefully build greater awareness about green buildings, bring the green community together to forge new partnerships and contribute towards making Gurgaon a smart and sustainable city”, said Shubhra Puri, Founder Director, Gurgaon First. Gurgaon First, a citizens’ initiative conceptualized and organised the event. ‘The workshop would hopefully build greater awareness about green buildings, bring the green community together to forge new partnerships and contribute towards making Gurgaon a smart and sustainable city”, said Shubhra Puri, Founder Director, Gurgaon First.