Slowdown Is Good News For Green Buildings

General | By mahendra | 2009 Trackbacks (0) Add comment   

As real estate sector goes through one of its worst times, consumers are looking at value-for-money options and developers are looking at cutting overheads while trying not to compromise on quality. A section of property builders say the economic downturn iis beginning to prove a boon to the green realty sector because of established and proven technologies that reduce running costs of buildings.

Homebuyers and companies buying office spaces have also shown their preference for green buildings that will drive the market with greater focus in the year ahead. “We are seeing a growing interest even among existing buildings to retrofit certain technology elements that can save energy in either air-conditioning, or lighting, or the use of water. Many hotels and hospitals, even offices, are beginning to see the advantages of managing waste within their premises, for this eliminates the cost of transporting waste and the mess of waste that is not disposed off,” said Chandrashekar Hariharan, chief executive officer, of Bangalore-based Biodiversity Conservation (India) (BCIL). He added that “Green realty sector will benefit from the market downturn as investors and buyers today are more discerning and weary of parting with money without the assurance of greater benefits and features that can save on energy bills, water bills, and on managing the waste without the risks of health hazards and without reliance on inefficient municipal bodies.

If energy efficiency becomes the norm for buildings, it would be the start of a minor revolution to reduce demand for energy, as well as to bring efficiency in management of precious water resources and more effective waste management in our cities.” “One has to devise a business model that would benefit as well as adhere to the green norms,” said P Surya Prakash, managing partner of Hyderabad-based SatyaVani Green Homes.He said green buildings are not just environment-friendly but alsohelp cut costs such as maintenance costs for the building and cost of power for the customer. To involve his clients completely in green initiatives, SatyaVani Green Homes has decided to incentivise the customer by subsidising power for 25 years by Rs 18,000 per year. “We bring down connected power load. Normal buildings need 12 mw of connected power. We are making this a zero carbon power. We call this green power,” says Surya Prakash. The concept may not be new, but developers who are actively involved in the green initiative say that green builders should strengthen the movement by sharing their experiences and the advantages they have gained.

“The focus should deepen in learning more tools and techniques and design approaches for better management of energy, water, and waste with cost efficiency and ease of execution being the prime factors,” says Hariharan.BCIL is also offering information at no cost on several things that can be done to bring energy efficiency in many things we buy or use or do in our daily workday lives, he adds. In 2008, there were as many as 240 million sq ft of commercial buildings that requested green certification. The residential green rating system was launched in May 2008 and in less than four months the initiative received applications for a staggering 150 million sq ft of residential apartments, which aspired to green, from builders. The approach has been facilitated by technology and management processes for construction that are reasonably user-friendly and can therefore allow for scale and replicability.



A Realty Boost At Times Show In Hyderabad

General | By mahendra | 2009 Trackbacks (0) Comments (1)   

The real estate scene may be going through its worse stage in years, but that has not stopped buyers from evincing interest in new Real estate Projects or the offers that go along with them. This was in ample evidence at the Times Property Show that began on a positive note at Taj Krishna lawns on Saturday where 14 builders and developers displayed their new and ongoing projects in the city at 24 well designed stalls of the Times Property Home Affair show.

The fair has properties ranging from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 2.5 crore. Commissioner of I&PR, C Parthasarathi, who inaugurated the show, said that the fair gave both builders an opportunity to fight the slowdown. Putting up a fair is itself a brave move, he said. Developers hoped that being the first property fair in 2009, it would wake up the property market and provoke others to give some impetus to the industry. The crowds thronging the fair in the evening certainly made them smile. A visitor Srilekha Sundar said she was pleasantly surprised to find some really good bargains. "The media has been mentioning that rates are coming down and there is scope for negotiations, but I was skeptical. I can seriously consider buying something soon now." Developers were also encouraged by the response. "We expect to finalise some deals here because we found genuine buyers," said one developer who did not want to be named.

Surprisingly the government-owned Rajiv Swagruha Corporation is also here offering properties within a range of Rs 8-37 lakh alongside big names like the Aparna group, Aliens, Aditya Housing, PBEL, INDU, Janapriya, Modi, Saket and fairly new ones like Silpa Real Estate, Madhu Infra and SAP Constructions. There is clearly a wide range of choices, with something for everyone. This fair gives an opportunity both to builders and buyers to get the best deals and value additions. So if one is looking for a good property buy, Taj Krishna is the right venue where the Home Affair ends today.



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