Finding a balance between urbanisation and nature

In the world we live in today, not excluding Bangladesh, sustainable architecture strategies are being implemented more and more with every passing day.

While metropolises are continuously expanding, the earth isn’t getting bigger. And in a densely populated country like Bangladesh, people need housing and infrastructure facilities, without destroying farmland and disturbing environment.

Modern-day economic growth, supported by industrialisation, leaves an intense impact on environment for the process of development for communities requires use and extraction of natural resources. That makes it more critical for designers, architects, builders and consumers to follow green building practices.

Then, what exactly is sustainable architecture, and also why is it essential for a modern lifestyle?

In fact, sustainable architecture or green building practices challenge architects to produce smart designs and use available technologies to ensure that buildings pose hardly any threat to the ecosystem and the communities.

An eco-friendly approach to modern-day building comprises every aspect of the planning and construction process – the choice of building materials; the design and implementation of heating, cooling, plumbing, waste, and ventilation systems; and the integration of the built environment into the natural landscape.

All need to be well-thought-out and planned, keeping utmost sustainability in mind. Buildings should not only look good, but also do good!

Gone are the days when height and looks alone could impress the aficionados of great architecture. As the world is in the middle of a climate change emergency and Bangladesh is located in the climate hotspot, now, every building needs to address possible challenges and create maximum opportunities taking into account the issue of environment and needs of urban people.

Also, more than ever, focus on energy-efficiency has become an imperative in any building.

The manifestation of such an edifice is Sanark Rise, a huge 13-storey under-construction commercial building in Dhaka city’s Tejgaon area that complies with all local and international standard rules. A project of Mir Real Estate Ltd., the building is designed to provide not only a healthy work environment with low water and energy consumption but also resistance against earthquake.

Bangladesh now houses numerous other sustainable buildings in several industries, marking the leap towards eco-friendly architecture. Practically, too, green building strategies can be implemented in plenty of ways. Buildings can be designed with environment-friendly materials to create a green space, like energy-producing lifts, efficient ventilation systems, adjustable lights, and so on. Creating more efficient windows, doors and skylights along with high-efficiency air conditioners and furnaces can contribute to efficient and better-insulated homes.

It’s also crucial to use high-quality windows that utilise low-E coatings and gas filling, and choose environmental-friendly glazing and window frame material. Buildings that rely more on solar energy and have high-performance systems and appliances will be able to expand the structure’s longevity while significantly contributing to the environment.

The best time to work on energy efficiency is when a building is being created for the first time. The first stage of construction offers opportunities to integrate new energy efficiency measures more simply than in a building that is already complete.

Recently some leading local real estate companies have taken the initiative of implementing green building practices and are doing so in a sustainable manner.

Therefore, the construction industry’s primary goal should be to keep making efficient buildings by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the structure’s life span and making spaces healthier. More focus on green architecture must be made in town areas.

In this context, the government can provide policy support, while financial institutions can give support for the proper implementation of sustainable architecture. Joint efforts of all stakeholders will be key to building the sustainable, resilient and low-carbon construction industry that Bangladesh needs more than many other countries.

The writer works in the real estate sector