Day 19: Sustainable Infrastructure
Originally published: 19th April, 2020 on Facebook and Instagram
SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
This is a very interesting topic and, I feel, might be the technology to look out for within the next ten years. Some places have already began implementing it but many others will soon be on board too, I am sure of it.
Simply put, sustainable infrastructure is the concept involving construction of buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures with elements of sustainable living in them… such as energy conservation, reduced water usage, use of sustainable building material and with low overall carbon footprint.
Buildings and other infrastructure is intended to last for decades… so, if they are constructed with sustainability in mind from the beginning, then there is potential to reduce enormous wastage on a large scale from the get go.
Moreover, some of these strategies may seem costly at the beginning but they actually reduce building maintenance costs over long term, thereby leading to a better return on investment. It is also my personal belief that some of these aspects that are voluntary now, may become mandatory in future as a part of building code regulations. So, by getting ahead of the game, there is potential to save a lot of money for renovation and reconstruction later.
Some examples of sustainable infrastructure are as follows,
(1) Installation of temperature and humidity sensors to regulate heating/AC in buildings better
(2) Use of LED lights instead of incandescent lights
(3) Installation of solar panels on rooftops
(4) Usage of sustainable building materials/recycled materials instead of fresh wood or concrete for construction
(5) Choosing a site that does not impact the ecosystem around it
(6) Use of grey water (from hand washing or kitchen) to flush toilets
(7) Installation of insulated window panes to avoid heating/cooling from escaping and thereby reducing overall energy usage
(8) Using a higher percent (or 100%) renewable energy for lighting and ventilation
(9) Rainwater harvesting and usage for building water needs
(10) Motion sensors that turn lights on and off
…. and many more
Some of these processes have already been initiated in many parts of the world. Some organizations, such as US Green Building Council’s LEED certification, and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) provide certification for sustainable infrastructure. There are some very cool “green buildings” all over the world… Google it!
Do you guys have examples of such infrastructure around you? We would love to hear about them!
