The role of architecture in preventing India's pollution crisis
By Tripat Girdhar, Socio-environment Specialist, Principal Architect of Arete Design Studio
As a result of the Covid19 pandemic, we've learned a lot in our lives. After several months of lockdown, significantly reduced air traffic, and halted construction sites, carbon emissions for the previous year were down 5.5 percent from 2019. (according to the Carbon Monitor Organization). This not only shows how the pandemic's impact on climate change was exaggerated, but it also paints a very different image of the scale and effort required to reduce carbon emissions. Climate disruption continued unabated as the pandemic progressed. As compared to previous years, 2020 was expected to be the warmest year but due to less use of vehicles, less constructions etc has changed it. Extreme weather events dominated the year, from disastrous bushfires in Australia to floods in Asia and the United States, as well as severe droughts in South America, all of which were caused by climate change.
Every day, we are reminded that we are living in unusual and challenging times by scary stories and contradictory news. However, there is some good news: city emissions are decreasing, and nature is returning to its natural state. But how long can this go on?
People have more and more expectations for temperature comforts, such as indoor temperature, humidity, and wind speed, as technology advances, and they pay greater attention to air quality. The aged, kids, and individuals with respiratory allergies all suffer from poor indoor air quality. An indoor air quality monitoring system based on the architecture of the Internet of Things smart home to investigate how people can live in a healthy environment.
Architecture has long been praised for its ability to shape communities, towns, and countries. Architects are known for showcasing their creativity and leadership skills, as well as praising the field for its multi-faceted approach to solving complicated challenges. It is now time for architects to play their most important role. Following this industry's lead in reducing emissions, adopting COVID-19 can motivate others, such as manufacturing and transportation, to adopt more sustainable methods. After the coronavirus drama has played out, it will be time for leadership and inspiration. It will be time for architecture that is truly committed to restoring both the social and environmental fabric.
Every year, pollution has impacted the majority of India's cities. Stubble burning during the autumn season is the main cause. The school has been forced to close by the Delhi government, and construction and demolition activities have been suspended. Employees in both private and public offices are encouraged to work from home. Those days are not far, people may have to wear masks at their homes very soon. It should be noted that the Delhi government issued a slew of orders to improve the city's air quality, including a ban on the entry of trucks except those transporting essential items and the closure of schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, in response to orders from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Architects must plan their projects to be sustainable, which means they must be built, renovated, managed, or repurposed in an environmentally and resource-efficient manner with enhanced indoor air quality. Prospects of recycling and ease of demolition should be considered during the design phase because it improves the construction industry's sustainability and waste means fresh resources for future structures, while recycling demolition wastes causes less air pollution in most circumstances. The materials for a low-energy housing should be utilised since they reduce energy consumption and solar heat. A well-designed structure may cut the amount of heat lost through the building exterior in half and reduce pollution from energy generation. Natural ventilation is also significant because it may provide outside air, eliminate smells and pollutants, and remove heat from places, people, and material. “We really have to stretch the frontiers of current architecture and reinvent how we approach design in a sustainable, energy-efficient direction. This would involve recovering traditional principles and implementing them into the
contemporary setting”. Conscientious design, which builds with emotion rather than just concrete, will go a long way toward restoring our city's beauty.
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