Developers urged: Study, apply env’t friendly practices
DESPITE the growing interest for green buildings, a green architecture expert is encouraging developers to be sincere in learning about how to engage in green principles in the development planning of a real estate.
Architect Marivic Kapuno said this as she noted a lot of “greenwashing” in a lot of previous building projects claiming to be green buildings.
Kapuno, a member of the United Architects of the Philippines-Sugbu Chapter, said that greenwashing would refer to the features that developers might take as already greening their buildings when they really are not.
“It doesn’t mean that you have installed a vertical garden, you’ve already subscribed to the concept. More things have to be considered,” said Kapuno, who is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-accredited professional and a recognized “green champion” by the Department of Trade and Industry.
These include efficiency of air conditioning, solar heat gain of building facades, user controls of electrical and lighting systems, use of responsively harvested materials, user connection to views, as well as natural lighting and ventilation.
Developers’ sincerity
Kapuno said there is a steep learning curve in engaging authentic green principles in the development planning of real estate.
She said developers must be sincere in their interest and that there are many avenue for learning.
“Advocates like me are taking global best practices to the local industry. It is important to tap knowledgeable professionals and make green not an elitist concept, but one that should be commonplace to dispel myths to its implementation,” said Kapuno.
Going green in real estate development has become imperative in many parts of the globe, and Capuno said she thinks Cebu should follow suit and that greening the environment must be a serious undertaking by both the public and private sectors.
Green growth
Architect Florentino Nimor, Cebu provincial planning and development officer, calls this the “green growth” type of development.
He said this is not just applicable to buildings, but to whole communities as well.
“On the macro side, Cebu is open to it in terms of local government initiatives. Some private establishments are already implementing it, but the challenge is how to cascade this principle as a personal commitment,” said Nimor.
Nimor said they are aiming to have this practiced at the purok level or at the level of the family./Reporter Victor Anthony V. Silva