Highrises are not the only criteria for development: Expert

The 24 th National Convention of Architectural Engineers concluded at the Institute of Engineers, Shivajinagar on Saturday. Architects from all over the country particpated in the two-day meet.

The 24 th National Convention of Architectural Engineers concluded at the Institute of Engineers, Shivajinagar on Saturday. Architects from all over the country particpated in the two-day meet.

Delivering a lecture on 8216;Recent Trends in High Rise Buildings and Environment Sustainability8217;, Ranjit Patil, principal of Pashwanarth College of Engineering, Thane said, 8220;In the 19608217;s, when the first high rise buildings were constructed in Mumbai, there was a huge influence of western architecture. They were constructed without considering the socio-economic viewpoint. However, the trends have now seen a marked change with town planners and developers looking at various facets including climatic considerations, the socio-economic fabric, post construction maintenance, fire-fighting capabilities, HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, and cost effectiveness.8221;

He also said, 8220;Even though huge skyscrapers signify the development in a city, it should not come at a cost where construction of such buildings is not sustainable. Also while constructing such buildings cost effective methods and those methods which would suit the Indian climate need to be used.8221; Elaborating more he said, 8220;Making use of RCC Reinforced Cement and Concrete, green planning, rain water harvesting, water recycling and other such techniques need to be used.8221;

He also spoke about the heavy investments needed in construction of such buildings and said that they might not be feasible to construct them in places with a lot of load shedding problems as the cost of using generators would again be detrimental with rising fuel prices hitting everyone around the globe.8221;

Vilas Avchat, chairman, Indian Institutes of Architects, Pune chapter gave the keynote address, in which he too laid emphasis on using eco-friendly and cost effective materials for construction of such skyscrapers. He also added that work to complete various such skyscrapers is going on in full swing in the cities of Delhi and Mumbai, and that very soon a project to construct one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world will be undertaken.