{"errors":[{"message":"Cannot return null for non-nullable field PageInfo.currentIndex.","locations":[{"line":13,"column":13}],"path":["newsBetween","pageInfo","currentIndex"]}],"data":{"newsBetween":{"items":[{"title":"1","date":"2015-10-23 14:30:00","id":405,"author":"","blurb":"

BuildTech Asia 2015, a leading trade exhibition for the built environment, concluded after three days of showcasing smart construction technologies and building materials from across the Southeast Asia region and the world.

","blurb_image_uid":"2015/10/23/14/33/26/984/Bblu.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"

Organised by Sphere Exhibits and hosted by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), BuildTech Asia 2015 was held from 13-15 October 2015 at the Singapore Expo, in conjunction with Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW).

\r\n

At the opening ceremony of SCPW, BCA announced $2.6 million funding for research programmes to drive Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) across the sector and additional funding for Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). In line with this push towards technology adoption and Asia’s growing demand for building and construction technology, BuildTech Asia 2015 displayed a wide range of technologies and materials to help industry stakeholders from across the value chain maintain their competitive edge through higher productivity.

\r\n

Over 5,200 visitors from across the region had the opportunity to see advanced construction technologies and smart materials, some of which were accompanied by live product demonstrations and product workshops, by as many as 150 exhibiting brands.

\r\n

An international turnout of exhibitors, trade associations and business delegations from over 13 countries and regions including Austria, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam, visited BuildTech Asia 2015.

\r\n

Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “We are pleased that the fifth edition of BuildTech Asia continues to see strong interest and support from exhibitors and visitors from all over Asia and the world. This year, BuildTech Asia introduced key productivity-enhancing technologies and materials to the built environment sector, and we hope that the increasing uptake of these technologies will spur the construction industry towards greater productivity.”

\r\n

BuildTech Asia 2016 will be held in October 2016. For more information, visit www.buildtechasia.com. \r\n

Photo Above: From left to right: Dr John Keung, Chief Executive Officer, Building & Construction Authority; Mr Quek See Tiat, Chairman, Building & Construction Authority; Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits; and Ms Elaine Chia, Managing Director, Sphere Exhibits. Photo: © Singapore Construction Productivity Week\r\n

","article_image_uid":"2015/10/23/14/33/26/800/BSporeArt.jpg","article_expanded_image_uid":null,"article_image_caption":"L to R: Dr John Keung, Mr Quek See Tiat, Mr Chua Wee Phong and Ms Elaine Chia. Photo: (C) Singapore Construction Productivity Week","tags":null,"publications":"6","category":null},{"title":"1","date":"2015-10-23 14:21:00","id":404,"author":"","blurb":"

BUILDTECH, one Malaysia’s leading building exhibitions, is looking to play a bigger role in the Asian market.

","blurb_image_uid":"2015/10/23/14/29/31/547/IMGBlu.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"

The 2015 edition of BUILDTECH, one of Malaysia’s largest exhibitions for the building tools, materials and technology industries, came to a close on 10th October 2015 after having welcomed over 200 exhibitors from 10 countries around the world, with a record 63 percent of exhibitors coming from outside Malaysia.

\r\n

The exhibition, which was organised by Trade Link ITE Sdn. Bhd., was held from 7-10 October 2015 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Over the three days, BUILDTECH gave 7139 local and international visitors a chance to witness some of the world’s most advanced building technology in Malaysia for the first time.

\r\n

There was a comprehensive profile of technology available to visitors covering the entire spectrum of the building industry. In addition to a extensive range of traditional and modern building materials, manufacturers also featured wares developed for niche industries including a section focusing exclusively on eco-friendly building materials.

\r\n

This diversity was enhanced by the presence of four co-locating exhibitions, namely the International Construction Machinery, Equipment, Accessories, and Technology Exhibition (CONMAC), the Construction Materials Show (CONMAT), the Building Material, Architecture & Interior Exhibition (A&I) and the Malaysia International Hardware Show (MHS), which featured specialist technology catered to the construction machinery, construction materials, architecture and hardware fields respectively.

\r\n

Trade Link ITE’s Managing Director Dato’ Albert Lai said: “This year’s edition of BUILDTECH was a huge success for us as it showed just how big a role we have to play in connecting world-class suppliers and buyers from all across Asia”.

\r\n

“While BUILDTECH has always been an important event for Malaysian producers to find new technology and elevate standards, we also know that Malaysia possesses all the necessary attributes of a hub for the industry in the region, and we intend to continue playing a key role in helping Malaysia to assume this position,” added Dato’ Albert.

\r\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReflecting the importance of the exhibition to national branding, BUILDTECH once again received the endorsement of a range of influential government agencies including the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), from which the Second Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan officiated the opening ceremony, the Ministry of Works Malaysia (KKR), the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the Public Works Department Malaysia (JKR), the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

\r\n

For more information, visit www.tradelink.com.my/buildtech. \r\n

","article_image_uid":"2015/10/23/14/29/31/683/IMG_20151008art.jpg","article_expanded_image_uid":null,"article_image_caption":"On the second day of BUILDTECH 2015, the opening ceremony of the exhibition was graced by guest of honour YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Minister II of MITI.","tags":null,"publications":"6","category":null},{"title":"1","date":"2015-10-15 14:59:00","id":401,"author":"","blurb":"

Two urban parks – one in Foshan, China, the other in Oklahoma City – have been selected as winners of this year’s Urban Land Institute (ULI) Urban Open Space Award.

","blurb_image_uid":"2015/10/15/15/05/48/701/thousandb.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"

Hong Kong – Two urban parks – one in Foshan, China, the other in Oklahoma City – have been selected as winners of this year’s Urban Land Institute (ULI) Urban Open Space Award. Thousand Lantern Lake Park System in Foshan, Guangdong, China and Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City were honoured on 8th October 2015 at the ULI Fall Meeting in San Francisco.
\t

\r\n

The annual award recognises outstanding examples of successful large- and small-scale public spaces that have socially enriched and revitalized the economy of their surrounding communities. The competition includes a cash prize that goes to the organisations responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the winning park spaces.

\r\n

Thousand Lantern Lake Park System owned by the Nanhai District Government and designed by the SWA Group, is a park system that represents a defining infrastructural effort that is integral to Nanhai’s strategic approach of urban transformation within a successful, people-oriented urban development district. The park system provides a creative solution for attracting people to its newly constructed Guangdong Financial High-tech Industrial Zone.

\r\n

Myriad Botanical Gardens owned by the Myriad Gardens Foundation and designed by the Office of James Burnett, and Murase Associates, is a joint investment effort that takes a highly-underused yet prime 15-acre urban downtown garden and park site that had fallen into disrepair, and turns it into a state-of-the-art, highly active destination to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City and continue the renaissance of the entire downtown.

\r\n

“Our jury was impressed with the number of submissions that creatively transformed the urban landscape while remaining sensitive to the nuances of the real people who will populate it,” said jury chair Michael Covarrubias, chairman and chief executive officer of TMG Partners in San Francisco, California. “As this is the first year the competition was open to submissions from across the world, the finalists and winners all serve as international case studies demonstrating how cities can leverage open space to create value to cities and entice more useful, healthy downtown activity,” he added.

\r\n","article_image_uid":"2015/10/15/15/05/48/92/ThousandArt.jpg","article_expanded_image_uid":null,"article_image_caption":"Thousand Lantern Lake Park System in Foshan, Guangdong, China. Photo: © ULI","tags":null,"publications":"6","category":null},{"title":"1","date":"2015-10-14 11:47:00","id":400,"author":"","blurb":"

An interview with Dr Stefanos Fotiou, Head of “Cities and Lifestyles” Unit, United Nations Environment Programme

","blurb_image_uid":"2015/10/14/11/52/33/988/stefanosB.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"

Q: As the head of “Cities and Lifestyles” Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), what is your role and responsibilities?

\r\n

> I am planning, coordinating and managing UNEP's work on Sustainable Cities, Green Buildings, Responsible Consumption and Sustainable Lifestyles, Education for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Sustainable Procurement and also the Agri-food sector work. I am leading a team of 15 professionals who deliver a comprehensive set of outcomes centrally placed into UNEP's global work on Resource Efficiency, Sustainable Consumption and Production and Green Economy. Our vision is to inspire a global socio-economic evolution towards sustainable use of resources in cities with the participation of individuals and institutions. We are offering a comprehensive portfolio of tools to develop and deliver integrated solutions and pathways to:

\r\n

•\tManage cities and towns in a way that decouples economic growth from resource use while creating major financial savings;
•\tMake buildings the places we can experience resource efficiently and cost-effective life and work;
•\tBuy products and services that represent the best possible value and produce benefits for the environment and society;
•\tHelp to fulfill our nutrition needs through a food system approach, enhance environment, human health and economic outcomes; and
•\tCreate an understanding on what constitutes sustainable lifestyles, promote them and inspire global change of consumption patterns

\r\n

Q: What kinds of similarities or differences do you see in the green buildings movement between European and Asian cities?

\r\n

> We need to acknowledge first that since Europe and the developing Asia are on different development paths (the economic growth in Asia is faster than the one in Europe but the developing Asia is still behind Europe in terms of Human Development Index. It is not easy to compare the green building paradigms in these two regions. I believe that both Asian and European cities have demonstrated a lot of good cases of green buildings. Asian cities (in both industrialised and developing countries) have shown some bold cases of large scale green buildings developments. Cities in Europe on the other hand have showcased a more integrated approach and the green buildings movement is complemented by a broader agenda on sustainable development. The approach in Europe is a result of its development experience and that it has seen the impact of non-sustainable development during its development path. Asian cities are starting now to face the problems of non-sustainable development and I expect that the green buildings movement will gain momentum in developing Asian cities.

\r\n

Q: In your opinion, how do you define a sustainable city?

\r\n

> It is important to perceive sustainable cities as a broad concept which integrates social and economic development, environmental management and urban governance, which refers to the management and investment decisions made by municipal authorities in coordination with national authorities and institutions. The concept of sustainable cities and its links with sustainable development have been discussed since the early 1990s. According to a definition from a UN publication, sustainable cities should meet their “inhabitants’ development needs without imposing unsustainable demands on local or global natural resources and systems\". In this sense, consumption patterns of urban middle- and high-income groups are responsible for the use of a significant portion of the world’s finite resources and contribute significantly to the production of pollution and waste. Sustainable development in cities should focus on better living and working conditions for the poor, including affordable access to, and improvement of, housing, health care, water and sanitation, and electricity.

\r\n

Q: Is a sustainable city also considered smart and green?

\r\n

> To my understanding the term “sustainable” includes both the concepts of smart and green. Sustainability is the overall development objective for a city. The concept of green is mostly related to the environmental aspects of sustainability and to the need to have open green public spaces in cities as well as good resource management (including waste management). The concept of smart is mostly related to technological innovation at the city level that improves the life and work of its citizens. Another way to look at these different concepts is that “Sustainability” is a long term objective, a destination, while the \"green\" and \"smart\" approach is a complimentary pathway that can lead to this destination.

\r\n

Q: Has the United National Environment Programme set out any targets for cities to become more sustainable over the next five years?

\r\n

> The United Nations as a whole has set the most ambitious and inclusive targets for sustainable development for the next 15 years under the “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs). The SDGs includes 17 strategic goals that will shape global development agenda from 2016 to 2030. One of the SDGs, the Goal 11 is dedicated to urban development, with the goal to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable\". The SDG 11 includes further specific targets as follows:

\r\n

•\tBy 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums

\r\n

•\tBy 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

\r\n

•\tBy 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries

\r\n

•\tStrengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

\r\n

•\tBy 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations

\r\n

•\tBy 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, with special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

\r\n

•\tBy 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

\r\n

•\tSupport positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning

\r\n

•\tBy 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans for resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement holistic disaster risk management at all levels in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

\r\n

•\tSupport the least developed countries through financial and technical assistance, also assist them to build sustainable and resilient buildings utilising local materials

\r\n

These targets are the universal targets for the sustainable development of cities and UNEP will be advocating them to the cities and countries all over the world.

\r\n

Dr Stefanos Fotiou is a speaker at the upcoming Main Conference of the WorldGBC Congress 2015 Hong Kong (29-30 Oct). He will talk about Social Housing and the New Urban Agenda at the plenary session themed on Housing Design for Sustainable Community.

","article_image_uid":"2015/10/14/11/52/33/648/StefanosArt.jpg","article_expanded_image_uid":null,"article_image_caption":"Dr Stefanos Fotiou","tags":null,"publications":"6","category":null},{"title":"1","date":"2015-10-14 11:34:00","id":399,"author":"","blurb":"

An interview with Mr Sundaresan Raghupathy, Executive Director, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

","blurb_image_uid":"2015/10/14/11/47/02/810/raghuB.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"

Q: What is the present status of green buildings in India?
> The journey of green building movement in India has all through been exciting and inspiring. 21st century national green building movement was triggered off when CII-Godrej Green Building Centre building in Hyderabad-Indian Green Building Council’s (IGBC) headquarter became India’s first Platinum rated green building in 2003. Earlier in 2001, CII-Godrej GBC building was conceived, designed and constructed as a Platinum rated Green Building. Since then, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), with the support of all the stakeholders and by adopting a multi-pronged strategy, has ushered in a green building movement in India. With a modest beginning of 20,000 square feet of green built-up area of the IGBC headquarters in 2003, today, India with over three billion square feet is the second country in the world with largest green building footprint. IGBC is facilitating about 90 percent of the Indian market. This phenomenal growth has been made possible by involving all the key stakeholders including – the Government, architects, designers, builders & developers nodal agencies corporate, institutions, product manufacturers, suppliers, facility managers, since the inception of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in 2001.
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) within a short period of time has clearly demonstrated that constructing green buildings are technically feasible and economically viable. This important proposition is encouraging stakeholders to adopt the IGBC Green Building Rating System.
Today, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has fully indigenised all the following 10 green building rating systems and is well poised to develop world class green building standards & practices.

\r\n

1. IGBC Green Homes
2. IGBC Green New Buildings
3. IGBC Green Schools
4. IGBC Green Existing Buildings
5. IGBC Green Factory Buildings
6. IGBC Green Townships
7. IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System
8. IGBC Green Landscape
9. IGBC Green Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
10. IGBC Green Interiors

\r\n

\tIn days to come, IGBC will play a more important role in further accelerating the green building movement in the country. IGBC aspires to facilitate 10 billion square feet of green building floor space by 2022 (75th year of independent India).

\r\n

Q: What types of projects are leading the way in green building and construction in India?
> Today, every building type in India is going the green way. When CII-Godrej GBC building became India’s first Platinum rated green building in early 2000, it was the Corporate & IT sectors that initially adopted and promoted the green building path. As the green building movement progressed and with IGBC’s steady engagement with all the stakeholders, today various types of buildings – Airports, Banks, Commercial Buildings, Government Buildings, Homes, Hospitals, IT Parks, Metros, Malls and Schools are adopting IGBC Standards.
\tResidential projects with over 1,345 green building projects are leading the way, followed by other types of projects. Over 900,000 dwelling units amounting to 1.2 billion square feet are adopting IGBC Green Homes Rating System. Furthermore, infrastructure projects like Airports and Metro Rails are going green with IGBC. IGBC has launched ‘Green Mass Rapid Transit Rating System’ – world’s first comprehensive rating for rail based MRTS System, aiming to promote safer, cleaner and healthier transit for millions of commuters. Metro Rail projects in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad are adopting IGBC rating. Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) could facilitate stakeholders to incorporate innovative and futuristic technologies, as well as design structures which are ecologically superior and economically viable. Indian GBC aspires that the places we live, study, work, commute and play – all should go the green way and in the process to facilitate a greener and healthier India.

\r\n

Q: What are the major drivers and barriers to green building development in India?
> In the early stages of green building movement, challenges were many. However with the active participation and support of all the stakeholders, IGBC could showcase how challenges can be converted into new growth opportunities.

\r\n

Awareness and Capacity Building\r\n
With the educational and training programmes conducted by IGBC, now India has excellent professionals deeply involved in the design of green buildings. Thus far, IGBC has trained more than 25,000 professionals and this happens on a monthly basis, spread all over the country.

\r\n

Availability of Materials\r\n
The green building movement has enabled a wonderful market transformation in the country. Most of the materials are today available within the country. However, India needs more manufacturers involved in green building materials. It is estimated that by the year 2025, the market value for green building products and technologies will be about USD 300 billion dollars. There is a great opportunity for those involved in design and construction. A host of green technologies and materials like – waterless urinals, CO2 sensors, VOC paints and coatings, high performance glass, wall and roof insulation, High CoP chillers, etc., are today widely accepted and being manufactured locally.

\r\n

Cost of Green Buildings/Payback Period\r\n
At the initial stages of the green building movement (2003-2006), the incremental cost to incorporate green building features was 12 to 18 percent. Today, the incremental cost of a commercial green building has come down to 3 to 5 percent. The additional costs get paid back in about 2 to 3 years with substantial reduction in operational costs. This important proposition is encouraging stakeholders go the green way. This in the process has also opened new market opportunities for green building products and technologies.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs a result of concerted efforts, the majority of the stakeholders are convinced that green buildings make good business sense and are embracing green as a way of life. A clear testimony is the significant spread and growth of green buildings across the five climatic zones of the country.

\r\n

Q: In what ways is the local government promoting ‘green’ building construction in India?
> CII-Godrej GBC Building – India GBC’s headquarters is an excellent success story of Public-Private Partnership. It has received excellent support from the Government in conceiving, designing and constructing the headquarters as a Platinum-rated green building. India GBC adopts a multi-pronged strategy in working with authorities at different levels – central, state and local governments. IGBC works closely with the government to provide policy incentives to adopt green buildings and build capacity of government personnel. As a result of concerted efforts, the following incentives are also offered to IGBC green building projects:

\r\n

•\tMinistry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India provides faster environmental clearance to projects pre-certified by IGBC

\r\n

•\tAdditional FAR (Floor Area Ratio) are offered by the following Urban Local Bodies:

\r\n

•\tJaipur Development Authority (JDA)
•\tPunjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA)
•\tNew Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA),
•\tGreater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA)
•\tYamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA)\r\n

\r\n

•\tKolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is offering 10 percent of additional FAR to IGBC pre-certified projects

\r\n

•\tSmall Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is offering concessional interest rate for IGBC – rated green buildings in the MSME sector

\r\n

Policy incentives offered by the Government are encouraging stakeholders to raise the bar of performance and design structure which are more innovative, people-friendly and ecologically superior. Today, over 100 government projects are adopting green building rating systems. Government buildings including Indira Paryavaran Bhawan of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in New Delhi; New Paryavaran Bhawan of Gujarat Pollution Control Board; IGP Office in Gulbarga; and Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation (KSPHC) are going the green way.

\r\n

Q: What kind of future do you see for the green buildings in India over the next five years?
> In the days to come, India will witness exponential growth in the building sector. There will be growing needs for office space, housing, infrastructure, etc. Furthermore, IGBC foresees that the next 10 to 20 years will be the decade of integrated sustainable built environment. This presents an excellent opportunity for designing all urban habitats as green from day one and influence the way of life of people who live in such cities. We in IGBC foresee a tectonic shift in the way buildings are conceived, designed and constructed. Upcoming buildings will be a perfect blend of ancient architectural practices of India and modern technological innovations. India will successfully demonstrate buildings where tradition and modernity co-exist and in the process offer world-class green buildings. IGBC with the support of all the stakeholders will continue to play a more important role in accelerating the green building movement in the country. It aspires to facilitate 10 billion square feet of green building floor space by 2022.

\r\n

Some of the trends which India would witness include:

\r\n

'Green, Smart and Healthy Cities’\r\n

\r\n

'Green, Smart and Healthy Cities' would soon be a reality. It would be a perfect combination of modern technological innovations and sustainable practices. Green Smart City will facilitate the following:

\r\n

•\tEnhanced quality of life
•\tEfficient use of resources
•\tEfficient land use planning
•\tHabitat preservation & restoration
•\tEfficient mobility management

\r\n

Green Schools\r\n
IGBC’s Green School initiative will facilitate and promote green practices among young people and raise awareness about the planet earth. IGBC would be working closely with the corporate to adopt schools in their vicinity and support schools in implementing the Green School Process.

\r\n

Green Affordable Housing \r\n
IGBC aspires that every Indian should find his shelter in a green home, where there is better quality of life, enhanced ventilation, etc. As part of this initiative, the Council is working with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India in developing a rating system for affordable green housing. This in turn will facilitate designing building structures, which are not only affordable but also sustainable.

\r\n

Conclusion\r\n
As the famous quote goes: “The best way to predict the future is to design it”, in the coming decades, over 40 to 50 billion square feet of green building footprint would be added. In light of this, all the upcoming structures should be designed in the most environment-friendly way, which in turn will go a long way to ensure a greener and healthier planet earth.

\r\n

Mr Sundaresan Raghupathy is a speaker at the upcoming Main Conference of the WorldGBC Congress 2015 Hong Kong (29-30 Oct). He will talk about Green Affordable Houses – Indian Experience at the plenary session themed on Housing Design for Sustainable Community.

","article_image_uid":"2015/10/14/11/47/02/702/SundaresanART.jpg","article_expanded_image_uid":null,"article_image_caption":"Mr Raghupathy Sundaresan ","tags":null,"publications":"6","category":null}],"pageInfo":null}}}

SOUTHEAST ASIA BUILDING Archive Oct 2015