Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law END TERM EXAM COURSE 4

Name : A.G.Padmanaban

Enrolment Number : 03/UEML/MAY18

Phone : +919629334185

Mail : agpadmanaban@gmail.com

Answers :

1. The Vision of Triangle City

A Vision for the Triangle Imagine the Triangle City as a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood of homes,
shops, restaurants, offices and public plazas. There is a mixture of housing ranging from single family
homes along tree-lined streets, to brownstones and townhomes along local streets, to apartments and
condominiums above offices and storefronts on the primary commercial corridors.. As a lively triangle-
shaped place it is a metaphor for the City as a whole, lined with shops, residences, and sidewalk dining.
The Triangle City is a walkable neighborhood. It features wide, tree lined sidewalks along comfortable
streets that are safe for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as automobiles. Roadways are designed so
traffic flows calmly through the City. Narrow streets are lined with pedestrian oriented buildings that
reveal plazas filled with gathering spaces, greenery and public art.

Instead of acting a barrier, the Avenue is a grand, tree-lined boulevard, lined with distinctive buildings
and a streetscape that welcomes both vehicles and pedestrians.

The Triangle City is a stage for bold and distinctive architecture that creates a unique identity for the
neighborhood and City. Building masses are the primary features, replacing the bleak parking lots that
currently dominate the landscape. To accommodate the increase in activity, inefficient surface parking
will be replaced by well-organized parking structures integrated into the streetscape.

This vision for the Triangle City creates a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood filled with interesting
destinations that attract people from across the region and provide Birmingham residents with an
integrated neighborhood in which to live, work, shop and recreate

2. Water front development

In recent years, waterfronts have once again become the focus of redevelopment for many cities, this
time as priceless public spaces, and there have been both successes and failures. Although some cities
have managed to avoid common pitfalls and have created great destinations on their waterfronts, many
more have not. The pitfalls range from privatizing the waterfront with high rise residential or fortress
type convention centers to planting swaths of green space that provide few opportunities for people to
use them.
The best waterfronts are developed primarily as public destinations and are strong economic engines
that support local businesses. They have succeeded by creating highly accessible, multi-use destinations
that include green spaces but are not exclusively defined by them. They use the tried and true approach
of focusing on creating a place that attracts residents first, knowing that tourists want to be where they
can experience how a real community lives.

Waterfronts, Placemaking, and Sustainability

Projects like this demonstrate how both "sustainability" and "placemaking" are both important
considerations in waterfront developments today. Placemaking is both a process and a philosophy that
takes root when a community is able to express their needs and desires about the places in their lives. It
enables people to realize just how inspiring their collective vision can be, allows them to look with fresh
eyes at the potential of the public spaces in their cities and sparks an exciting re-examination of
everyday settings and experiences in our lives. Sustainable places and cities emerge naturally through
this process by creating destination spaces that are used and loved by the community.

The Project has many natural assets and it is a great plan as per my thoughts. However its better to have
an financial plan that gets back some economical sustainable activities by implementation of such plans.

3. Policy Interventions and support measures for Urban Green development places

Government bodies in urban India tend to focus more on preservation of existing greenery than on
afforestation. New Delhi has initiated exceptional efforts for the preservation, maintenance, and growth
of trees. Government backed initiatives like the Green Leap Delhi and Tree Ambulance inculcate care for
trees, and encourage public participation. While tree planting programs have been recently initiated in
Chennai, care and maintenance of saplings to ensure their survival and health are required. Although
NGO’s have initiated afforestation programs in Pune, its green space of 1.4 m2 per capita necessitates
stronger actions. Visakhapatnam recently suffered huge loss of green cover due to the cyclonic storm of
Hudhud in 2014, and is in an acute need of afforestation.

Some recommendations

- Lack of afforestation programs is a major drawback of Indian cities. Urbanisation should be

complemented with afforestation targeting specific increment in tree count.
- Performance-based incentive programs encourage competition and result in better output.
- Since low-income residents tend to live in dense neighbourhoods, special care should be taken
to ensure provision of green walls and green/cool roofs. Such measures will prove crucial in the
cooling of microclimate and compensating for dearth of material resources.
- Road traffic is a major source of pollution in India. Impetus should be given to greening of
transport corridors to reduce atmospheric pollution.
- The high density of Indian roadways can be utilised as green corridors for attenuating
atmospheric pollution, and inducing uniform cooling.
- Evergreens should be selected for roadways to minimise accidents due to leaf shedding from
deciduous varieties. This should be backed with guidelines for choice of tree species and tree
spacing as observed in Singapore.
- Special care should be taken to ensure complete visibility at traffic intersections and rotaries.
- In keeping with the National Forest Policy, trees should be planted and maintained along railway
lines, canals, and streams. Green belts should be raised in derelict lands.
- Incorporation of permeable pavements such as grassed footpaths and greening of parking lots
will help to decrease the proportion of paved areas, aid in storm water retention, and reduce
surface heating.
- Significant reduction in atmospheric pollutant levels in Hyderabad during a truck strike period
highlights the need for lesser polluting modes of transport. Public transport and use of CNG-
based vehicles should be promoted to reduce mobile emissions from private vehicles.
- Car pooling and use of public transport like metro rail should be encouraged.
- Weekly days can be designated as no-personal-vehicle-day, whereby only public transport
would remain functional.
- Implementation of stringent rules aimed at regulating vehicular life, such as the banning of
commercial vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi, will help to overcome the lack of public
support.
- The observed trend of shrinking residential gardens needs to be checked.
- Strict enforcement of bye-laws regulating the size of home gardens, and imposition of penalty
for disregard to public laws will help to instill discipline among locals.
- The high percentage of flat-roofed buildings in India provides ample scope for development of
roof gardens. The added benefit of rain water harvesting and storm water runoff collection
could be amalgamated to solve acute water shortage in cities.
- Since people remain more amenable to monetary benefits, tax abatements can be provided for
maintenance of roof gardens, box plantations, and green terraces.
- Public participation is a prerequisite for the success of any urban development program and is
significantly missing in India.
- Emulating New York’s afforestation program, the youth should be educated and engaged in
voluntary activities of plantation, care, and maintenance of tree saplings.
- Tree giveaways will help to instill a sense of responsibility towards protection of the natural
environment.
- Minimum threshold values for green cover per plot ratio should be designated in residential
areas.
- Large-scale industrial projects can make use of carbon-credit projects.
- Transport corridors and industrial belts are major contributors to air pollution. Extensive green
cover in Gandhinagar helps to maintain pollutant concentrations within permissible limits. The
recent Smart City initiative by the Indian Government promoting development of urban green
spaces can be coupled with strategic landscaping to optimise benefits of greening programs.
- Presence of greenbelts around islands of pollution such as industrial zones reduces spread of
pollutants.
 - Government database should provide information about choice of tree species as per climatic
requirements to ensure maximum efficiency at minimum cost.
- The policy of “right place, right tree” as observed in London provides technical support towards
intelligent greening of cities.
- The greening strategy should be climate driven, and responsive to site demands.
- Lack of tree databank providing detailed assessment of the physical, economical, and ecological
value of city flora undermines probable afforestation of Indian cities.

impact of climate change is a major threat to Indian economic growth. Imbalance between built and
natural spaces is deteriorating the thermal environment of Indian cities. Lack of technical data and
scientific awareness amongst city dwellers has resulted in devaluation of green cover.

Although efforts have been taken at the national level to protect tree cover, urban afforestation is
prominently lacking. Savings of more than 3000 kWh of domestic energy consumption are estimated
with implementation of energy friendly practices primarily aimed at passive cooling of residential
constructions. Information should be made available to people guiding them about planting choices.
Since India exhibits a mix of climatic characteristics ranging from hot and dry to cold and cloudy, the
greening strategy should be reflective of the local climatic conditions.

People remain more amenable to monetary gains, therefore, tax reductions and incentives for
maintenance of green spaces would help to ensure adequate contribution to urban green cover from
residential and commercial neighbourhoods. The greening efforts need to be complemented with
minimised use of private vehicles for amelioration of air pollution.

4. Green Building

Green building - also known as sustainable or high performance building - is the practice of: Increasing
the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water, and materials; and
Protecting and restoring human health and the environment, throughout the building life-cycle: sitting,
design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.

- The `Green Building' concept is gaining importance in various countries, including India. These
are buildings that ensure that waste is minimized at every stage during the construction and
operation of the building, resulting in low costs, according to experts in the technology.
- The techniques associated with the `Green Building' include measures to prevent erosion of soil,
rainwater harvesting, preparation of landscapes to reduce heat, reduction in usage of potable
water, recycling of waste water and use of world class energy efficient practices.

'Better living for all and future generations' is an universal dream. With increasing urbanization, natural
resources are being utilized rapidly and erratically without any planning and equivalent replenishment.
This is not sustainable development. If such a situation continues for long, the disparity in living
conditions will create social upheaval and revolt. Also, future generations will not have any natural
resources. Thus, the dreams of our future will shatter if proper steps are not taken in time. Hence,
nature’s basic rule is to be adopted, 'Reduce, reuse and recycle', i.e., reduce the requirement, reuse the
waste and recycle to use. Eco-friendly practices include:

- Adequate land use and better site planning so as to not disturb the natural resources like trees,
lakes, rivers etc.
- Conservation of electricity and efficient practices.
- Renewable and non-conventional energy generation, alternative fuels, etc.
- Water management including drainage, waste water disposal, rainwater harvesting, recycling
grey water, etc.
- Maintaining good air quality.
- Human safety and comfort

Example of Green Building in India

The CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-Godrej GBC) is a unique and successful model of
public-private partnership between the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Pirojsha Godrej Foundation and
the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with the technical support of USAID. The 858m2 building
consists of an office building, a seminar hall and a Green Technology Centre, displaying the latest and
emerging green building materials and technologies in India.

The building was the first LEED Platinum-rated building for New Construction (NC) outside of the US and
a large number of visitors tour the building to view its green features annually.

According to the Indian Green Building Council, the CII-Godrej GBC building “marked the beginning of
the Green Building movement in India.”

PROJECT COST:

As the first well-publicized green commercial building in India, the incremental cost was 18% higher than
a conventional building. However, the Indian Green Building Council asserts that green buildings are
now being delivered at an incremental cost of 6-8% in India and this initial incremental cost usually gets
paid back in 3 to 4 years.

BUSINESS CASE:

a) Benefits achieved so far include:

 31000 kWh of renewable energy generated per year.

 Over 120000 kWh energy savings per year as compared to ASHRAE 90.1 base case.
 A reduction in CO2 emissions of 100 tons per year since 2004.
 Potable water savings of 40% compared to a conventional building.
 Excellent indoor air quality.
 100% day lighting (Artificial lights are switched on just before dusk).
 Higher productivity of occupants.
GREEN INITIATIVES:

a) Energy Efficiency: Installed a state-of-the-art Building Management System (BMS) for real-time
monitoring of energy consumption.

Use of aerated concrete blocks for facades reduces 15-20% load on air-conditioning.

Double-glazed units with argon gas filling between the glass panes, have enhanced the thermal
properties.

Water-cooled scroll chiller.

Installed two 25TR chillers.

Secondary chilled water pumps installed with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).

Energy efficient lighting design through Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

Roof garden covering 60% of area.

b) Renewable Energy:

20% of the building energy requirements are catered by Solar Photovoltaics (PVs).

The Solar PVs have an installed capacity of 23.5kW.

c) Water Efficiency:

Zero water discharge building.

The entire waste water, grey and black water generated in the building is treated biologically through a
process called the ‘Root Zone Treatment System’. The treated water is reused for landscaping.

Waterless urinals used in men’s restrooms.

Rain water harvesting system to reuse storm water.

Water-efficient fixtures include low-flow/flush fixtures.

d) Indoor Environmental Quality:

Indoor Air Quality is continuously monitored and minimum fresh air is pumped into the conditioned
spaces at all times.

Fresh air is also drawn into the building through wind towers.

Use of low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints and coatings, adhesives, sealants and carpets.

Maximum day-lighting.
Operable windows and lighting controls for better day-lighting and views.

Fenestration maximized on the north orientation.

e) Materials and Resources:

80% of the materials used in the building were sourced within 500 miles from the project site. Most of
the construction material contains post-consumer and industrial waste as a raw material during the
manufacturing process.

Fly-ash based bricks, glass, aluminium and ceramic tiles, which have post-consumer and industrial waste
were used in constructing the building to encourage usage of recycled content.

-Office furniture is made of bagasse-based composite wood.

- More than 50% of the construction waste was recycled within the building or sent to other sites and
diverted from landfill.

f) Sustainable Site:

-The building design was conceived to have minimum disturbance to the surrounding ecological
environment.

-The disturbance to the site was limited within 40 feet from the building footprint during the
construction phase.

- The majority of the existing flora & fauna and natural microbiological organisms were retained around
the building. Extensive erosion and sedimentation control measures to prevent top soil erosion were
implemented at the site during construction.

-Large vegetative open spaces.

E. Other Notable Green Features:

- Swales for storm water collection.

- Electric vehicle for staff use.

- Car parking shaded with trees.

- Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) – 84 kWh/m2/year

5. A: Biomedical Waste in india

Serious questions are being raised about economic and environmental effects of Bio-medical waste
(BMW) in developing countries in recent times. BMW although constitutes a small portion of the total
municipal waste generated, needs special handling and treatment as it is highly infectious and can pose
a serious threat to human health if not managed in a scientific manner. In fact, the problem of BMW is
more a question of its hazardous nature rather than the quantity. With the expansion of tourism in
tandem with IT/BT boom, the Bangalore city administration is struggling to provide improved
infrastructure while trying to cope with its massive unplanned development. One such supportive
infrastructure that needs a thorough streamlining is the management of BMW, an offshoot of a boom,
in the number of medical clinics. Although several initiatives have been undertaken for managing
hospital waste in the city, there are still exist several missing links that have serious implications on
human health and ecology of Bangalore.

Almost all the countries around the world are directing their efforts towards a proper disposal of BMW.
The management of BMW, due to the use of disposable items, is one of the major problems faced by
the developed countries. In the United States, the hospitals discard more than two million tons of waste
annually and are the third largest source of medical waste. In the developing countries, the waste gets
dumped in open areas where rag pickers and beggars involve in search of goods; risk their lives by
contacting hazardous diseases. Many hospitals in the developed countries are recycling or donating the
scraps to the developing countries, for instance, at least 50% of the US hospitals send their single-use
items to the re-processors who in turn resell them at relatively low prices after sterilizing them.

In the developing world, the problems associated with medical waste are linked to the lack of funding
and national regulations for the sanitary disposal of waste.

Health Hazards of BMW

Several health hazards are associated with poor management of BMW like injury from sharps to staff
and waste handlers associated with the health care establishments, Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) of
patients due to spread of infection. Occupational risk associated with hazardous chemicals, drugs,
unauthorized repackaging and sale of disposable items and unused/date expired drugs. Bacterial
contamination represents the highest and most immediate health risk and water is the main carrier
medium.

Management of BMW

Segregation

Initial segregation at source reduces the waste management problem to 15%. Segregation is done
accordingly to colour coded bags which ensures handling and proper management of wastes and
minimizes further handling of the wastes till the time of treatment. Segregation reduces risk of infecting
workers, costs of treatment, risk of infecting community at large, recycle, and reuse of non-infectious
waste. Though, the hospital waste generated is about 2 kg/bed/day, only 0.25 to 0.3 kg/bed/day of it is
infectious. Therefore, about 10 to 15% of the total waste generated at the health care establishment is
infectious in nature.

Red- Disinfected Container/ Plastic bag- Autoclaving/Micro waving/ Chemical Treatment

Blue/ White translucent Plastic bag/puncture proof container- Autoclaving/Micro waving/ chemical
treatment and destruction/shredding
Black- Plastic bag Disposal in secured landfill

Yellow- Plastic bag Disposal in secured landfill

5. B : Need of Environmentally sustainable Urban Transportation

Urban transportation is the single most important component instrumental in shaping urban
development and urban living. While urban areas may be viewed as engines of growth, urban transport
is, figuratively and literally, the wheel of that engine. However, Transport sector is the major contributor
to air pollution in urban India. Emissions from motor vehicles pollute the air, which, in turn, affects the
health of people who are living in the city. The problem of air pollution in Indian cities can be gauged
from the fact that more than 2% of the people in the prime of their life (15 to 45 years) die prematurely
in Delhi every year due to breathing and heart-related disorders caused by polluted air.

Urban transportation problems in India are manifested in the form of congestion, delay, accidents,
energy wastage, and pollution. All these have very heavy economic, social, and environmental costs. The
need of the hour is therefore a sound urban transport policy. The major thrust of such an urban
transport policy should include integrated planning, an optimum share between public and private
modes, the choice of relevant technology for public transport systems, optimal use and management of
available resources, restructuring of monetary and fiscal policy to encourage and promote public
transport, and establishment of institutional arrangements, at all levels of governance, particularly at
the city level, for planning, development, operation, management, and coordination of urban transport
systems