As part of its efforts to be in tune with the global shift towards promoting environment-friendly techniques in building construction, the Public Works Department, Govt. of Kerala has recently come out with a policy named the ‘Green Building Policy’. The draft policy moots classification of buildings into suitable groups for the implementation of green building techniques.
The main focus of the policy is on large buildings in urban and semi-urban areas. And this policy, in general, leaves residential buildings untouched except a requirement for those above 500 sq m (5381.95 sq ft) to acquire a single star rating under SVAGRIHA or IGBC green home rating equivalent. The Green Building Policy suggests various requirements for green buildings, including effective waste management facilities, energy conservation by using solar power panels and other sources of non-conventional energy, etc.
The policy suggests the classification of non-commercial buildings into small, large, and campus categories according to the plinth area. Buildings below 2500 sq m (Small) are required to acquire a three-star rating under SVAGRIHA or Silver under LEED. A four-star rating under GRIHA or Gold under LEED is required for buildings of 2500 sq m area and above which are considered as large buildings. Large campus projects with more than 1,50,000 sq m are required to acquire a five star under GRIHA or Platinum under LEED.
According to the policy, the local bodies can enter into MoUs with the rating agencies for providing services to beneficiaries in the locality at affordable rates. The policy also suggests the formation of a Green Building Regulatory Committee to oversee its implementation. The committee with the PWD secretary as chairman can have chief engineer (buildings), chief architect and chief engineer, LSGD, as members. A separate Green Building Guidance Team with deputy architect of the PWD as chairman can be set up to give guidance in design and construction of buildings.
