Eco-housing Criteria: Version II for 5 Climatic Zones

The Eco-Housing Mainstreaming Partnership was initiated by the International Institute of Energy Conservation (IIEC) with the support of USAID India (United States Agency for International Development) and the USAID Global Development Alliance.

The program is being implemented by IIEC with the support of its partners, who are mentioned below

Program Implementing Partners
Science and Technology Park, Pune
Centre for Environmental Education, Ahmedabad

Supporting Organizations
Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture, Pune
Rachna Sansad’s Institute for Environment Architecture, Mumbai
National Institute for Advanced Studies in Architecture, Pune

Supporting Municipal Corporations
Pune Municipal Corporation
Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

On 26th August, 2009 Eco- housing Assessment Criteria – Version II for 5 climatic zones of the country was launched at the Rachna Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, Prabhadevi, Mumbai.

Dr Nitin Pandit, IIEC President highlighted the need for Eco-housing in India’s growing urban and peri-urban communities. Dr. Archana Walia, Program Manager, Office of Environment, Energy and Enterprise at USAID spoke at the event, describing the evolution of Eco-housing and hoped that the adoption of the program would rapidly spread across India. Dr. Walia then released the Eco-housing Assessment Criteria Version – II. The document will soon be available on the Eco-Housing website.

Ms. Brinda Ayer from IIEC made a presentation on the Eco-housing assessment criteria Version II, as well as on the proposed website through which developers can self-assess the rating of their project.

Ms. Sonali Bhattacharya from the Science and Technology Park (STP) spoke on behalf of Dr. Jagdale, Director STP who could not attend the event due to illness. She described the status of 15 on-going Eco-housing projects in Pune that were in different stages of Eco-housing certification process. She also pointed out some of the hurdles in the certification process that need to be addressed as the program evolves. Ms.Jayashree Deshpande, director in charge, NIASA updated the audience on the status of the proposed Eco-housing auditors exam to be administered by NIASA. Dr. R. Gopichandran from the Centre for Environmental Education (CEE) made a dynamic presentation on the ongoing efforts of the CEE to take the adoption of Eco-housing criteria across India.

The audience at the event consisted of builders, developers, architects, urban planners and other stakeholders. They quizzed the panel on aspects of criteria selection, pointed out the need for awareness among home-buyers and made valuable suggestions on the design and implementation of the program.

It is hoped that the up-take among builders in Pune is replicated in Mumbai and other cities, to ensure that future buildings are sustainably constructed and form a healthy environment for their residents.