12 Sep : Today, almost half of the world’s population is living in cities and urbanity has become a predominant form of civilization. While the ecological footprints of cities as well as their reservoir of resources span the globe, the quality of urban life is threatened by such factors as pollution, rising temperatures, wasted land and natural resources, congestion, social equalities, crime and economic imbalances. Cities are therefore at the centre of environment sustainability research.
Green Cities is a concept to make all kinds of constructions in the city conforming to green building norms for meeting the national priorities of energy, water saving, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.
Environment-friendly and energy-efficient buildings are increasingly becoming popular and may grow over three times in the next five years. Thereby offering new opportunities to the construction industry.
According to a communiqué received from Swiss Embassy, “India and Switzerland are observing 2009 as the year of Swiss Science and Technology in India. To commemorate the occasion, the Swiss State Secretariat of Education and Science announces a conference in Chandigarh to discuss the significance of green buildings and the architectural approach towards building green cities.”
The Embassy of Switzerland in association with Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects(IIA) and Swiss federal Institute of Technology, Zurich is organising an International Conference on’ Building Green Cities’ on 15 th September, 2009 at Govt Museum and Art Gallery, sector 10, Chandigarh.
Hon’ble Swiss Ambassador to India Mr. Philippe Welti shall also be present. The key speakers shall be Prof. Daniel Spreng, Centre for Energy Policy and Economics, Zürich; Prof. Gerhard Schmitt, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich; and Prof. Dietmar Eberle, Swiss Technical College in Zurich who are very well known personalities in the field of green buildings, engineering and energy efficient architecture. Dr Matia Celio, Science and Technology Councellor, Embassy of Switzerland and Ar Surinder Bahga, Chairman of the Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of IIA shall be the other speakers.
Ar Jit Gupta, Director, College of Architecture, Bhaddal will chair the technical sessions which will be followed by a panel discussion. Eminent architects like SD Sharma and Manjeet Tangri will participate in the panel discussion.
Mr Surinder Bahga, Chairman of Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter of Indian Institute of Architects adds, “A green building uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people compared to a standard building. We should adopt various mechanisms for reducing power consumption substantially in a bid to combat climate change.”
The Conference is likely to be attended by 300 practicing architects, faculty and students of architecture colleges in the region.