The construction industry is a big driver of the economy. It is also a gobbler of resources. But oversight in India is inadequate and based on outdated concerns. Builders and architects aren’t encouraged to think about tomorrow and on their own they do pretty much the opposite. When it comes to production materials, water, space and energy the story across India is a mighty dismal one. It is worrisome because future generations will have to live with what gets constructed now.
There is no city in India we can truly be proud of. Our buildings typify waste and excess at a time when conservation and precision are needed – not in isolated examples but on a mega scale so that savings take place in ways that matter and become a way of life.
A ‘green building movement’ exists, but these buildings represent merely a tiny part of the bigger picture. They account for very little. Green ratings are invariably given on narrow and clinical considerations which don’t really link up with larger realities. What is the point of having a ‘green building’ in Gurgaon when Guragon itself is running out of water and is an environmental disaster. So we need to separate hype from reality and address the real issues.
Architects like Sharukh Mistry are important because they raise the bar for everyone in more ways than one. Their work and ideas need to be highlighted because they should be the basis for the broader movement in the construction business.
India’s urban areas need green thinking. The challenge is more complex than an office structure here or there. Systems and technologies which satisfy the aspirations of half a billion people are required. Many of the initiatives could actually be quite simple. The complexity lies in the sophistication of a new orientation defined by human values, a respect for nature and a commitment to equal access to services and resources.
Sharukh represents such thinking. The story we have done on him is to the highlight the values which we believe widely espoused. It isn’t a critique of his structures but a peek into his mind and soul. Our magazine believes that only when we fete professionals with higher values do we all go up a little.
The removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has for long been a demand of activists. AFSPA has been in the headlines recently because of Kashmir. We spoke to Wajahat Habibullah, the veteran civil servant and now Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, for a different view on the controversy.
