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Definition of Sustainability
One of the best definitions of environmental sustainability to date has been:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
(Brundtland Commission Report 1987)
HOW?
By utilising existing and potential human, natural, mineral and energy resources .
TO WHAT END?
To build a strong economy, a social haven and an environmentally improved society.
FOCUS:
While other rating systems around the world have focused mainly on environmental and economic issues, the Nigerian rating system will also have a strong social component that hopes to address the pervasive ailments of poverty & inequality, and the resulting environmental degradation and low human development index (HDI).
1. Management
Aim:
To manage the implementation of the rating tool during the design and construction, and continuing to accrue the benefits of green design and construction during the operation and use of the building.
Strategies Include:
Awareness, education & training of client & team, Team collaboration, Metering and management of utilities, Building commissioning and tuning during operation. Building occupant awareness The continued success of the sustainability measures rest on effective management for the entire life cycle of the building.
2. Energy
Aim:
The overall reduction in the production of greenhouse gases (GHG), achieved by energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy.
Strategies Include:
Conscious Passive Energy Building Design Specification and Utilization of Energy Efficient Equipment Development, Generation, Distribution and Utilisation of Renewable Energy sources including Solar Wind Biomass Small scale hydropower potentials
3. Water Efficiency
Aim:
Water conservation and efficiency. Clean water in Nigeria is precious and
scarce.
Strategies Include:
Use of low flow fixtures such as taps, shower heads and toilets. Collection of rainwater and use for irrigation and flushing of toilets. Specification of plants that do not require much or any irrigation after establishment Metering water to monitor and manage its use. Collecting and reusing waste water from air conditioning. Installing leak detection systems capable of detecting major leaks on the water supply. Continuing the culture of using water carefully, measuring water use by the bucket.
Strategies Include:
Encouraging adequate natural ventilation where possible Improved air conditioning air quality Improved natural and artificial lighting large windows, high frequency ballasts fluorescent fittings Reduction in/elimination of indoor air pollutants from paints, Noise reduction Views & vistas from inside out should to create human delight.
5. Sustainable Transport
Aim:
Reduction in greenhouse gases from transport associated with buildings by reducing dependency on motor vehicles and private car use in favour of more sustainable means of transport.
Strategies Include:
Locating buildings close to major transport routes; Locating buildings close to public amenities; Providing staff buses; Providing safe and accessible pavements & sidewalks; Providing trees & landscaped streets; Providing safe and accessible bicycle paths; Creating incentives for occupants to car-pool & share vehicles.
6. Materials
Aim:
The reduction in the amount of natural resources used, the promotion of the use of rapidly renewable materials and the encouragement of the reuse and recycling of materials where possible.
Strategies Include:
The increased use of locally available materials. The increased use of alternative locally available and renewable aggregates and binders. The development, management and utilization of rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo, raffia palm and rattan. Responsible and controlled sourcing of wood to comply with global standards.
7. Waste Management
Aim:
To reduce the amount of waste going to landfills by efficient management during building construction and subsequent use..
Strategies Include:
Careful dimensional coordination during design Effective material storage and control Implementation of site waste management plans (SWMP) during construction Salvaging, recycling & reuse of construction materials Greater use of prefabricated elements Storage and recycling of paper, metals, glass, plastic and cardboard. Composting or diversion Organic material such as food to bio-digesters. Effective waste management has the triple potential for world leadership by converting the power, urban blight and poverty challenges into opportunities for power generation, improved sanitation and job creation.
Strategies Include:
Site mitigation of soil degradation & pollution. Control of erosion, flooding & poor drainage. Reduction in deforestation. Respect for and restoration of the natural ecology of the site. Avoidance of high-value ecological sites such as forests, wetlands, and prime agricultural lands. Wide-scale aggressive and appropriate tree and shrub planting.
***Of particular note, generators should be selected to minimize harmful emissions to the environment by ensuring that they comply with international standards.
Strategies Include:
Creation of new green jobs associated with green design, construction & management. Stimulation of the economy by the demand for and production of
renewable energy, renewable materials, sustainable waste management and green innovation.
Setting of higher standards for building occupant health, comfort and wellbeing. Market transformation towards a higher human development index. Greater access to basic human rights such as
decent living environments, clean water and safe sanitation, proper drainage naturally lit and ventilated spaces, non-toxic building materials, affordable housing, accessibility for the handicapped,.
Green buildings can accelerate the progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of 2015, Vision 2020 and beyond.
Published around the same time that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria announced that 70% of Nigerians (105 million) live below the poverty line, up from 54% in the previous two years! Nigerians have thus demonstrated yet again that it is possible to be satisfied with less resources and amenities than richer, more industrialised countries. Translation: It is possible to use up less resources to provide simple, affordable, decent, healthy, comfortable, safe, secure and fulfilling lives for Nigerians, thus becoming a global model of environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Summary
For Nigeria, green building means the gradual upgrading of the Nigerian built environment with green infrastructure as a means to: Rapid economic growth Well diversified industry High human development index (HDI) Reduced poverty, Low carbon footprint Protected bio-diversity, Controlled forests, and most importantly, A healthy, happy, gainfully employed, productive and optimistic Nigerian populace! Totally compatible with Nigerias Vision 2020 - being among the 20 largest economies of the world by 2020.
CONCLUSION
It is difficult, if not impossible, to manage what is not measured.
A relevant Nigerian green building rating system measures, monitors and manages a thoughtful and conscientious way of building to ensure success in sustainability by
THANK YOU!
ARC. CHINWE ABULOKWE OHAJURUKA
COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN SERVICES, 2662 Bella Via Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43231, USA
Chinwe5563@yahoo.com 1-614.403.2994 0813.706.2881
Chinwe Abulokwe Ohajuruka is an Architect, Project Manager & Sustainability Consultant with more than 24 years experience in a variety of local and international settings. Chinwe has been involved with several projects for collegiate, commercial, residential, institutional and industrial clients. Having designed and managed building projects in Nigeria, the United States and four other countries, Chinwe has a diverse background that complements the international settings she has found herself in. Other countries she has worked in and done work for include Scotland, Jamaica, Barbados, Gambia and Zambia. She has been a member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and achieved accreditation in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2008. Subsequently, she has worked on several sustainability projects in leadership positions such as LEED Project Administrator, LEED Project Manager & LEED Advisor. She became a Green Star (South Africa) and BREEAM Accredited Professional in January and February 2011 respectively. She is currently on the Board of Directors, and the Board of Trustees of the Green Building Council, Nigeria.