The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
The term "Green roof" refers to a roof that is partially or wholly covered with vegetation and soil on top of a waterproofing membrane -Proloy Bagchi The State's Environmental Planning and Coordination (EPCO) have taken an admirable initiative for promoting "green construction". Quite obviously, the government is gradually becoming concerned …
If Dubai's Burj Al-Arab hotel with its billowing sail is changing world architecture, wait till the India Tower, currently under construction on Mumbai's marine row Queen's Necklace, gets into business in 2010. At 300 m, it may not match Burj in height (321 metres) but it will stand tall for …
Famous geologist Dr. M K Khanna said here that unsafe buildings in our country are more responsible for death than earthquake in our country. We cannot stop the earthquakes in future. But we can definitely limit the death and damage to buildings through earthquake resistant construction. Dr Khanna was addressing …
Environmentally friendly businesses are more likely to attract and retain employees, a sustainable development expert says. Romilly Madew, chief executive officer of the Green Building Council of Australia, says in a recent survey of property owners, developers and valuers, that almost half of all respondents said the pressure to build …
Modern facades on Victorian buildings in Chicago and other industrial cities of the American Midwest often hide a secret. Scattered through old drugstores and boarded-up banks from Madison to Fort Wayne, curiously shaped glass tiles known as Luxfer prisms lie just a few centimetres behind the paint and plaster. Luxfers …
AS THE green building movement in India gathers steam with growing numbers of real-estate developers adopting eco-friendly construction methods, it is trying to overcome a huge shortage in green-friendly industry professionals. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) - the nodal body for eco-friendly construction - has some 190 buildings registered …
ALREADY acknowledged as one of the leaders in environmentally-friendly construction, India could surpass the United States within four years to become the country with the most space covered by 'green buildings', according to the agency that sets standards and certifies eco-friendly realestate development. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), which …
Members of the public were shown how to make their homes greener as one of Channel 4's flagship programmes hosted a nine-day exhibition in London. An exhibition of eco-friendly homes was one of the core elements of this year's Grand Designs Live. Programme host Kevin McCloud got his hands dirty …
Many are not convinced about the certification or the manner in which it is promoted, writes K.S.Subramanian At home with nature:Essentially the concept is to be in harmony with nature with good use of cross ventilation, light and water. Chennai has the reputation of holding nearly 68 per cent of …
Move over swimming pools and health clubs - eco-friendly is the new must-have in the high-end residential sector. GurgaonOne is typical of the premium residential complexes coming up all over this IT boom town. Spread over 10 acres on the old Delhi-Jaipur highway next to a proposed world-class golf course, …
Rabi Rashmi Abasan (meaning a solar housing complex), India's first solar housing complex has been conceieved by WBREDA (West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency) and is located at New Town Kolkata and spread over an area of 1.76 acres. Each house owner within the complex will produce his own power …
Cities worldwide are promoting environmentally "green' roofs to mitigate several urban problems. Ground cover, shrubs and other flora planted across a building's roof can reduce storm water runoff, easing the burden on local sewers and water treatment systems. And the vegetation can keep the roof cooler in summer, lowering interior …
Buildings with certified energy ratings are not just more energy efficient than their counterparts, but are also earning more on rental and retail markets. Those are the findings of two US studies which looked at new buildings certified under the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED scheme and the Environment …
Patrick Getreide is an entrepreneur with a big ambition: to build the world's greenest office block. Energy Plus, his projected 70,000 square metre Paris block, will be carbon neutral and generate more electricity than it uses, saving tenants
Much has been made of the role of airlines and oil companies in the fight against climate change, but few think of the built environment. Yet property is thought to account for nearly half of all carbon emissions and about half of those come from commercial buildings. Last year's Intergovernmental …
Commercial buildings and new homes have become the latest buildings to fall under the Government's energy performance certificate scheme. The next stage in the roll out of the scheme - which aims to improve energy efficiency in UK buildings - came into effect on April 6. All commercial properties being …
SURVEYS show that air conditioning units, which emit greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming, consume over 50 per cent electricity in buildings in India. Brian Ford, professor of Bio-climatic architecture in University of Nottingham, says this percentage can be brought down by designing buildings that promote natural ventilation. Ford …
A shortlist of 15 locations that could house the Government's flagship eco-towns has been announced - and none of them will involve building on green belt. The shortlisted sites will go forward to the next stages of the application process, which includes public consultation and detailed sustainability appraisals, before the …
Low- and zero-energy buildings could have a huge impact on energy use and carbon emissions. We have the technologies, but if they are to mitigate climate change, green-building design must hit the mass market : a report.
Installing a green roof can dramatically reduce energy use and costs - as well as supporting biodiversity, reducing flooding and combating climate change. Roofs offer an opportunity for more green spaces in the heart of the city That was the message for delegates at an afternoon seminar organised by CIRIA, …
