Stories by BAVANI M
Photos by ART CHEN
TO become a world-class city, Kuala Lumpur must also be sustainable. To do that, the city must learn how to reduce its carbon footprint by using natural resources more efficiently, re-use resources and reduce waste. One way of doing this is by designing buildings with minimal negative impact on the environment. StarMetro reports.
IF Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail had super- powers, he would transform Kuala Lumpur into a green city with zero carbon footprint. But alas, the mayor is no superman, but he still harbours this vision of seeing KL being developed into a sustainable city whose residents would enjoy living in a zero carbon and waste-free environment.
A bone fide greenie, Fuad has shown that he is one leader who is willing to embrace the green movement by ensuring that developments in the city are environment- friendly.
Therefore when Malaysia introduced its very own Green Building Index (GBI) on May 21, no one was more delighted than Fuad.
Cooling: Shady trees amid the city’s streets and buildings provide much-needed relief from the heat. For the uninitiated, the GBI is a certification tool that will provide guidelines for sustainable development and environment-friendly construction.
Knowing full well that with this tool, new buildings in Kuala Lumpur can be guided and managed to lessen their impact on the environment the mayor is enthusiastic about getting started.
But there is a hitch. The GBI is developed by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) and the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) – two private bodies with no affiliation with the government.
Despite the government’s support, there is not much that Fuad can do to encourage and promote sustainability in the built environment since it concerns policy decision and requires the blessings of, among others, the Federal Territories Ministry, Housing and Local Government Ministry, Public Works Ministry and the new Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.
But the mayor is not about to let that stop him. He already speaks of offering incentives to be given out to developers and building owners in the city to design and construct green, sustainable buildings that can conserve energy and water, provide a healthier indoor environment, better connectivity to public transport and the adoption of recycling and green programmes for their projects.
Bringing the heat down: Building owners can reduce the heat-island effect by planting more trees and greens around their offices and rooftops. At a recent interview, Fuad told StarMetro that incentives such as increased plot ratio and reduction in assessment are just some of the perks that could be offered to developers and building owners who are willing to embrace the green mission.
But it is something that needed thought and planning before it could be implemented. Fuad, however, said any project, however, minor that incorporateed the green agenda such as planting more trees, recycling, and composting would indeed be rewarded.
PAM president Lee Chor Wah welcomed Fuad’s suggestion saying that it would be a good incentive for current building owners and developers to embrace the green mission now in order for them to reap its long-term benefits.
“By having our own rating system, we can start with simple tasks such as changing light bulbs to energy- efficient ones, or doing away with paint, or installing solar heaters for buildings and offices,’’ said Lee.
The idea, Lee said, was to provide opportunities for developers, and building owners to design and construct green, sustainable buildings that could provide a healthier indoor environment that would save on energy and water.
Future look: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall building in Jalan Raja Laut (right) looks bare as compared with an artist’s impression of the building by Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia on how it can incorporate green elements by planting plants on the rooftop, windows and balconies. Apart from the long-term benefits, green buildings send the right message about a company or organisation.
According to Lee, foreign and multi-national companies are looking at buying or leasing properties in Asia that are green. Even international brands look for shopping malls that are green before taking up lots in the mall.
“It shows that the particular organisation is committed and responsible about the future,’’ Lee said, adding that it was part of their social responsibility to preserve the environment.
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