Green Buildings In the Tropics: Asia: Beyond Green

ASIA Beyond Green Abhimanyu Goel A0137134M National University of Singapore

“Great architecture happens when capital is patient, when capital doesn’t focus on short-term gains”.

Rahul Mehrotra

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CONTENTS ABSTRACT...................................................................................................... 3 Our Native Village: Bangalore, India | towards net positive design................ 5 introduction................................................................................................ 5 Human Capital ......................................................................................... 7 Social Capital: ........................................................................................ 12 Natural Capital: ...................................................................................... 13 Hathi Gaon Complex: Jaipur, India | towards regenerative design ............... 15 introduction:............................................................................................. 15 NATURAL CAPITAL:................................................................................. 17 HUMAN CAPITAL:................................................................................... 19 Financial Capital: .................................................................................... 19 Symbolic Capital..................................................................................... 20 Pasig River Rehabilitation: Manila, Philippines | towards regenerative design ................................................................................................................... 21 Introduction: ............................................................................................ 21 Literature Survey: ..................................................................................... 22 NATURAL CAPITAL.................................................................................. 26 POLITICAL CAPITAL................................................................................. 28 FINANCIAL AND BUILT CAPITAL............................................................... 29 SOCIAL CAPITAL ..................................................................................... 30 A case: what needs to happen in the building industry, as it moves away from Green and towards the broader goals of sustainability and beyond. ... 31

Words: 6,088

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ABSTRACT We live in a world where we don’t really understand our responsibility towards protecting the environment as human beings, our values and ethics are restricted towards certain boundaries. The projects that we design or build, always have an impact and as soon as they’re functional, they begin to be a part of a system; a system which is always running in a loop. Whether that loop is connected directly or indirectly to nature, but nature always responds to that system, there is no escape. Animals & Plants respond and live in a system, they don’t create it. The purpose of this research was to have insights from three projects which reside in Asia, look beyond the concepts of green and sustainability. The projects which are actually creating a system for nature, that nature can be a part of. From micro to macro, these ideas of creating several positive systems need to be replicated to form eco-systems.

Our Native Village Resort inspires several projects the idea of giving back to the community where the production and consumption is responsibly taken care of, as a result, we also see positive gains.

Hathi Gaon complex on the other hand sets out an example in the world that sensible architecture for every part of the system should exist, be it an animal, plants or human beings, after all, we are all together a part of one world. Also, this project sees how the architecture plays a very important role in regeneration.

Pasig River Rehabilitation Project really sets an example of urban solution for other places which have dying rivers like in Mumbai and Delhi. As we go beyond, we need to dig deep in the grassroots and connect with the similar communities and work for a better future.

The information collected was from different sources which include survey data, first-hand information from the client and architects, internet sources, books and interviews.

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For the replication of the projects, we really need to see towards the different scales of the buildings, from a small resort level project to a low budget village to large scale river rehabilitation project. After that only, we can create a system which is beyond green and sustainable but close towards nature, walking hand in hand.

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OUR NATIVE VILLAGE: BANGALORE, INDIA | TOWARDS NET POSITIVE DESIGN

PROJECT DATA Our Native Village Project Cost SGD 22,14,560 (1.6 m USD) Location 40 km from Bangalore, India Completion Date 2006 Site Area 3 Acre Client/Owner Mr. C.B. Ramkumar Architect Ar. Chitra vishwanath

INTRODUCTION Our Native Village is said to be a 100% eco resort that has implemented totally sustainable practices in the area of water, energy, waste management and Architecture, as promoters, Mr. CB Ramkumar and his wife quit their corporate world as they were passionate about sustainability and had no experience at all in sustainable technologies or in hospitality management. The passion and commitment enabled to develop a model that in turn demonstrated that tourism can be completely sustainable, first from an infrastructure perspective, without resorting to damaging the practices that result in further emission of greenhouse gases.

They have proved to businesses in general and hotels/ resorts in specific that it is possible to live a 100% ecofriendly, sustainable lifestyle which can walk through luxury as often the idea is unconventional.

Unique Selling Propositions: Preach towards sustainability for a responsible human Biopool

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Got first-hand information from the Telephonic interview by owner Mr. CB Ramkumar and the Architect Ar. Chitra Vishwanath

Satellite image of Our Native Village Resort of 2000 and 2008, green cover was increased drastically.

Biological Pool: "biopool" at Our Native Village Eco-resort; the pool is cleansed with the help of microorganisms and aquatic plants; the area also caters to biodiversity which is also like an old village pond.

Won a global award and featured in BBC Awarded ‘Highly Commended Best Small Accommodation’ at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London in November 2008.

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HUMAN CAPITAL In terms of Providing Employment and empowering the local community: Our Native Village employs several ways in which local residents are actively involved including community input and public participation. In this response, the community has benefited from this approach. The people now can continue to live in the Hassergatta Village whereas previously they migrated to cities in search of employment. Our Native Village ensures that the staff now understands the eco practices and organic farming. They encourage the local farmers to implement this in their own agricultural fields. The local staff that previously practiced chemical farming on their lands sees the benefits of organic farming that in turn now encourage the fellow farmers to try it; hence we see a small step which takes a big leap slowly in molding a community and its ways according to better solutions. Only the services like cooks, musicians, dancers, etc. are outsourced, but the need for the resort to the locals on the priority first option basis , contributes consistently to the local and neighborhood community.

The strength comprise of 60% of the total staff where they also have a skill development program for the locals.

This skill development program in turn has played an important role in uplifting the neighborhood community for instance people join as pot washers became waiters in the restaurant, some even went on to get promotion and act as managers in Our Native Village Resort.

The following excerpts are of the people who work at Our Native Village and some are individuals who lacked the sector related qualifications: “The project has taken a way to employ the local people, and management reported good results. Our Native Village has shown 7

uniqueness in a way that all openings are spread by word of mouth, which includes senior management positions (however, these positions are preferably taken by the individuals who have relevant experience in the sector)”.

A staff member at Our Native Village Resort noted that the non-discriminatory attitude they are given from management and colleagues is greatly valued: “There is no difference between workers, like juniors and seniors. All of us work together, we eat food together. The food prepared is same for everyone including the senior manager, guests and us.”

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/itshuman/tourism-employment-in-india-1

One issue which was inevitable was that the local staff took leaves without any prior notice, for attending their family and community events which had an adverse effect on the resort’s operations, the manager reported that: “The people take many leaves for social commitments, therefore, to ensure for ample staff in the resort, we have to keep a balance between non-local and local staff to address the issues of shortage of staff for a certain period of time”.

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The Director for instance also mentioned the impact on the organization’s ideological perspectives on the community targeted approach: “I can hire senior people also from the neighborhood and will ensure that they will certainly transfer their learning process in the community. Over the period of certain time, the community people would run the place. This pattern of employing people, get them trained and promoting them to top positions is something which is not new to me�.

The resort hence employs individuals with relevant experience of working in tourism to meet the instant skill needs and in turn help train members of staff recruited from the community.

Site Plan of Our Native Village, Hassergatta, Bangalore

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BUILT CAPITAL

This capital is discussed in terms of overall net positive approach in the built design of the project from rainwater harvesting to the construction materials usage to the energy produced and consumed:

In my opinion, by using less energy, does not only mean that this building is a green building which is efficient in terms of its design by the use of more open air spaces, natural light, passive cooling techniques, etc.

But this idea begins to start thinking in a net positive way that the amount of energy saved by this building can be used in an adjacent neighborhood where there is more need of this energy.

This project generates more than 60-80% of the electricity by the means of wind, solar and biogas, during off season when there is practically no usage of electricity, the amount of electricity produced is more than the consumption, and so, that extra amount of energy is used in lighting up neighborhood homes.

In 2007-2008: total usage of electricity was 1163 units, but during the off season, production was more, hence the electricity was supplied to neighbor homes where the farmers live.

The assessment of site’s topography revealed that placing the resort on a high ground would be beneficial to capture in the wind and harvest rainwater. A large chunk of the land is preserved to farm organic produce for Our Native Village.

One wind turbine with a capacity of 3.3 KVA is installed; the energy is stored in a battery bank. The cost was USD 12,500

80 solar panels with a capacity of 6.3 KVA Indian Govt. give 40% subsidies to use renewable resources

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Some of the unique features of the resort include: Bricks were made manually with the help of local people, the clay was excavated from the building foundations, mixed with 5% cement and 5% quarry dust and were sundried before used for construction. This process resulted in zero greenhouse gas emissions and hence saved in the transportation of the materials which would have been easily brought from a distant place.

The recycled wood used was taken from nearby sources and further left untreated to the minimum to restrict from the treatment of toxic chemicals.

The rainwater collected is used to irrigate adjacent farmlands which in turn grow food for the visitors and the farmers making this idea a net positive approach.

Water Tank Capacity: 84000 Liters, which also caters to the adjacent farmlands for irrigation producing cash crops.

Waste is converted into manure which is used in farming; they have 12 acre farmland which produces extra amount of agriculture which in turn is sold in the market.

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SOCIAL CAPITAL: The social capital is discussed in terms of learning programs for the students and visitors and preserving indigenous art/culture/craft:

A robust learning program was needed and developed to spread the sustainability theme of the resort. A formal program of learning was started for the school students called “Enriching Lives”. For working professionals, a hospitality program named GASP“Guidelines for Applying Sustainable Practices”.

Our Native Village continues to preach the idea of reviving and preserving the aspects of culture, craft and arts which is an unconventional way of promoting our roots. They are reviving interest in 6 extinct forms of Indian art in the form of murals which can be seen on the walls. They employed 6 tribal rural artists who came from different parts of India. From a cultural perspective, they are reviving interest in the old relics to tell the stories and in turn enhance the interiors of the resort.

They are also preserving practices, rituals and historic games from Indian villages. Also feature in cultural performing art forms like ‘Hari Kathe’ which no one recognizes now, because of the lacking of the popular support.

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NATURAL CAPITAL: Natural capital in this project is discussed in terms of incorporating Green-Blue spaces and preserving biodiversity on the site:

BiopoolThe pond style natural swimming pool if first of its kind in India where the technology is inspired from Austria in which no chemicals are used in cleansing, the process includes aquatic plants to eat all the dirt from the water, oxygenate it naturally and help maintain hygiene, thus brings an idea of “Think Global Act Local”.

Preserving Biodiversity on siteOur Native Village Organization, in collaboration with Foundation for the Revival of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) they have succeeded preserving more than 50 herbal medicinal plants in resort as part of the landscaping project. Only ethnic plant species have been grown on site of the resort.

They are also a part of the movement to preserve open grasslands that lead to the resort. The grasslands are the last remaining open grasslands of Bangalore and also this place has become a wintering ground for migratory birds of prey. They have also played an important role alo ng with the fellow residents of around the area in restricting the government from planting the trees in the open grasslands, in turn; the authorities were impressed and understood the importance of grasslands in the ecology of the environment.

The project Architect: Ar. Chitra Vishwanath of Biome-Solutions says: “The Biopool began with digging a hole and landing it with plastic pvc and 1.5 mm thick and then with gravel and they installed piping for filtration system to happen, then they put water and plants, this pool has two zones; one is a regeneration pool in which the biotic plants clean the water which is separated from a filter to the other pool which is used as a swimming area.”

“Our Native Village. 10 years since, plants have grown and covered up the buildings. Biopool, is the first of its kind. Thatch, concrete arch panel roofs, Earth walls. Biome design...”

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Swimming Area

Filtration Area

The process: The filtration area is called a planted filter, where at the bottom, we have a pipe, sucking the water from the roots and injecting it which creates bubbles, those jets re inject the water which was sucked underneath the roots of the plants, roots consume nitrogen and phosphates which make the water clean, hence no chlorine or chemical is used.

Building this pond was not a challenge, but maintenance is a big issue which needs to be taken care off very well! They also have frogs in this pool.

Guests also reconnect with nature and the chirping of birds, brightly hued flowers and rustic ambience.

Venkatesh Albal “have stayed there and had a swim in the biopool it is an amazing place and yes they have maintained it well. I also liked the tank which is also acts as an observatory and the rooms are also well maintained. The place being away from Bangalore you can actually hear the insects and other night crawlers beautiful sound in the night, it’s very soothing...”

Jayashree Roy Can I get a job there, even to be a watchman, but to be able to live in such a place would be great....

This project seems to contain an essence of everything needed for life, nature, agriculture, and culture and built forms. With being naturally sensible, Our Native Village provides long term profits in an environment where the cost of energy continues to rise. The ways to reduce energy, waste and water production and consumption, bringing that into a closed loop system with the help of some conservation techniques which are incorporated to protect the delicate environment and resorts’ greatest asset: Energy.

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HATHI GAON COMPLEX: JAIPUR, INDIA | TOWARDS REGENERATIVE DESIGN

PROJECT DATA Hathi Gaon Project Cost SGD 10,700 Location Jaipur Completion Date 2010 Site Area Inhabiting 100 elephants Client/Owner Jaipur Government Architect Rahul Mehrotra Associates

INTRODUCTION: The Village housing project for 100 elephants and their care-takers (Mahouts), as the name say “Hathi-Gaon� means Elephant village is situated near the Amber Palace and Jaipur fort.

Design strategy was to improve an area which was devastated by exploitation of sand mafia in the sand quarries, up cycling the urban land, capitalizing the potential offered by the manmade orology by quarrying, the quarries in turn, became the res ervoirs which collect rainwater in the desert area, presently regenerated By native plants. This project is a process and is ongoing currently in phases, when the site had an abundant amount of water; a tree plantation drive was followed together with seeding the place to attract local species of biodiversity with cost in mind, using local craftsmanship and labor.

Elephants are inhabited in garage-like huge rooms which exit at outer side of the buildings, away from the courtyard.

The families of the village prepare food and eat outside the build forms, in the courtyard which also become a playing area for the children.

The dwellings are 200 square feet in area, in sets of four, around a communal courtyard.

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Site plan of the Hathi Gaon Complex

The images show before and after image which shows complete regeneration of the area The housing clusters (Thans) are situated on site where the space is not used for landscaping.

The building material came from a nearby stone quarry.

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The courtyard planning which is very famous in India and recommended for a tropical climate becomes a part of the living space for the village residents.

Long time ago, the place was totally barren, where this project became a totally regenerative to the natural surroundings, where the place was completely empty, now, it is very interesting that for the elephant, the entire local plants which are taken from various regions around of Jaipur region. The design is made such that the elephant can feel comfortable, as Elephant is a tropical beast comes from the area of rains and tropical forests. So the design brief asked to create a natural environment for the elephants to inhabit.

The architect has made such a tremendous difference in building the project around the people, the animals and embeds them into a certain environment for a better living and for their community.

NATURAL CAPITAL: Natural capital is discussed in terms of regeneration of landscape keeping water as a core aspect of design.

The land which was allocated for the project was a deserted old sand quarry. A housing was conceived around the water pools (catchments), filled by the monsoon, hence in resulting a slow regeneration of the landscape.

Because of the monsoon in that region, 65% of the rainwater was absorbed in turn flooding the local area water table that supported the tree planting project. As a result, within a span of two years, the landscape of that area was transformed.

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The main concept which drove the project was the ecology, architect focused on creating a tropical environment for its core users: The Elephants, with the help of forest area and water bodies.

As compared to other conventional projects, this project has landscape in the centre and architecture has developed around it.

This table shows how the project helped in increasing the water table of the area and also specifies the demand and supply of water Water as a centre: Water was a critical component of the whole design as it facilitated the bonding between the elephant and its Mahout, through bathing which is an important ritual for both elephant and its Mahout.

Before and after shows how the site was deserted before the design intervention took place 18

HUMAN CAPITAL:

Previously, the Mahouts have never lived together, so it was difficult for them to have a community, at Hathi Gaon, the space allocation per family was only about 45 square meters, but they were able to manage extra space into each house in the form of courtyards.

Cluster of houses hence share a bigger area of the courtyards. Hence, this is helping to form a community for Mahouts.

Our debate of common good has a strong hold in this project as it seems that the design is driven through this idea of common good, primarily for the users, but secondarily also for the visitors promoting it becoming a masterpiece beyond sustainability.

FINANCIAL CAPITAL:

As the project was to design a very low cost housing (INR 5 Lakh) for the elephants that were to transport tourist to Amber Fort in Rajasthan. As we see after the project’s completion, it has gathered much publicity globally and attracts a good variety of foreign tourist to this village.

As this place is one of its kind in the world, sees a perspective to design for essential users in the community which can’t be necessarily humans for instance.

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In addition to this, the project has already generated more than its original cost because of its media coverage, and soon, next phase will see a visitor’s centre, museum and a theatre which would be a value addition to the project.

Also, if we see its natural finances, this project has increased the land value of the area and the area is seeing a residential development coming up adjacent to this project. Not only monetarily, this project has recreated a deserted place into a community space.\

SYMBOLIC CAPITAL

As this project built for the Mahouts and their Elephants, the Architect was inspired from the daily lifestyle of the users and the building was designed to give a sense of ease to them.

For the Mahouts, this has been the one and only residential community which they see as an inspiration for replication to other places in the country. This project certainly acts as a symbol for the Mahout community.

Architects should anticipate social problems and reduce them through the imaginative use of space-as this idea was applied in Hathi Gaon.

Award for the 10 th International Prize for Sustainable Architecture

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PASIG RIVER REHABILITATION: MANILA, PHILIPPINES | TOWARDS REGENERATIVE DESIGN

PROJECT DATA Pasig River Rehab Project Cost USD 200 Million Location Manila, Philippines Completion Date Ongoing in phases Site Area 26 Km stretch Client/Owner Manila Govt.

Architect Several Bodies

INTRODUCTION: Pasig River flows 26 kilometers across the National Capital Region, connecting Manila Bay in the west and Laguna de Bay from the east. River system including its tributaries runs in 5 cities and 4 municipalities. It once nourished abundant aquatic life and served as a transporting channel. However, the ecosystem of the river system has been destroyed due to ever-increasing pollution.

Degradation of the Pasig River system mainly comes from the fact that system has been used as a refuse point of both industrial and domestic waste released from over 300 factories and approximately 70,000 families on the riverbanks. “Objectives of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program 1. Completely eliminate the foul odor 2. Moderate the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) load of Pasig River 3. Lessen quantity of solid waste dumped with normal waste collection events 4. Escalate and regulate the flow of the water 5. Reduce the occurrence of flooding 6. Toughen the content, and improve the administration, of the Zoning Regulation of 1981 for the National Capital Region 7. Remove the sunken vessels from the river basin 8. Develop parks along the River 9. Relocate the unlawful residents�

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LITERATURE SURVEY: The Pasig was a biologically dead river for around 20 years. Being the center of commerce, it became a victim of urban pollution. Its canals served as sewerage for the industrial and domestic wastes from factories and slum communities that bred on its riverbanks.

In April 2009, the Pasig’s riverbank easements have been declared environmental protection areas and have been transformed into public parks and esplanades. Now there’s the hope that things will change for the environment. Though the river is filthy, this doesn’t stops poor children or grown-ups from bathing there.

Facts about River: This River was often referred as Toilet bowl of Manila. Out of total pollution in the river, 65% was from household, 5% from solid waste and 30% from the industries.

The total population of the Manila metro is over 11 million 440 Tons of domestic waste water is produced every day.

RIVER WAS THE PRIMARY DUMPING GROUND, having 7000 tons of trash everyday.

Problem became so bad that parts of the San Juan River, Pasig’s main tributary started emitting methane.

History: Pasig River was most important transport route during the period of Spanish Manila In 1990, it was considered ecologically dead by ecologists which was not able to sustain life.

Several ongoing and completed projects were a part of the Rehabilitation Program of the Pasig River; These projects aim to upgrade infrastructure in the communities which are blighted, also to provide security to the residents and improve quality of life and living conditions for the occupants.

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Source: https://www.academia.edu/5765195/Revitalization_of_the_Pasig_River_Through_the_Years_Bringing_aDying_Ecosystem_Back_to_Life

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was established in 1993 to cater the efforts of rehab efforts for the river.

Philippines and the national capital region of Manila: It inhabited 25 varieties of fish and thirteen different types of aquatic plants. Today, there are two types of plants and only 6 species of fish left that can still survive in the polluted water.

During the rainy season of June to December, the oxygen content rises because of the flushing of water from Laguna De Bay, but in the summer months of March to May, the river is nearly dead because of stagnant water.

The banks of the river inhabit around 100,000 families who live in sub-human conditions having no sanitary facilities.

Because of the continuous dumping of waste by the people, the river bed is now full of biodegradable waste, which results in catastrophic flooding along the river, carrying polluted water and affecting nearby communities and the households living close to the river.

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Manila’s Pasig River water is a crucial lifeline of the ecological health, also inhabits one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. The river flows from westward lake to the Manila Bay has been traditionally the source of lifeline for tens of thousands of the fishermen who depend on the aquatic marine life of the river.

During the 20th century, Pasig River’s health declined drastically, by 1930s, there was no fish which could migrate to the river. By 1950, the bathing or washing clothes was nearly impossible in the River. 10 years later, the river smelled so bad that the people who lived on the ferry boats, abandoned them. By 1980s, the river tourism was almost extinct, fishing was absolute non-existing, hence the river was declared biologically dead.

After the rehabilitation process, flooding was channelized and hence the flooding was minimized in Manila It’s a process of years and years as it took decades to reach the rejuvenation of river, still it’s a long way, but the way should be an example to other places such as River Ganga and Yamuna in India, which are considered the most polluted rivers in the world.

Projected loadings of BOD with and without rehabilitation program of Pasig River

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NATURAL CAPITAL Discussed in terms of Regenerating and Rehabilitation of River by certain ways

Bioremediation: This process of waste management involves the usage of microorganisms to neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site, Pasig River in this case. Bioremediation is a technique that uses natural organisms to break down hazardous materials into nontoxic or less toxic substances.

Phytoremediation: A cleaning process in which direct use of living green plants for in situ, or in place, removal, degradation, or containment of contaminants in sludge, soils, sediments, surface water and groundwater.

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Dredging: is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other water bodies. It is a routine necessity in waterways around the world because sedimentation—the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream—gradually fills channels and harbors.

Dredgers collect around 2.8 metric tons of debris and silt from the river basin, hence making the 20-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River deeper by two meters, hence making it 6 meters from 4 meters. But the question which arises is that where those 2.8 metric tons dumped, the waste is dumped in two trapezoid-shaped containers which are 10 meter deep, 120 meters wide and 450 meter long. The container called the Underwater Placement Over depth with Capping UPOC.

Location and size of underwater placement with over depth capping (UPOC)

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POLITICAL CAPITAL

VISION “A Pasig River, Clean and Alive, reflecting the country’s noble history and socio-economic progress” MISSION “To restore the Pasig River to its historically pristine condition by applying bio-eco engineering and attain a sustainable socio-economic development

Unemployment in Philippines was around 11.1% in 1985 and further reduced to 8.6% in 1989, but high migration of people from neighborhood provinces and lack of employment opportunities brought the rates in NCR to 26% in 1995; which has since fallen to 17%.

When Ramos Administration came in power in 1992, it embarked on an ambitious program called “Philippines 2000”, to establish Manila and the country as new industrialized economy by the end of the century, since then, the country has seen a growth in the economy and the country has become environment conscious.

30.00% 25.00% 20.00% Series 1

15.00% 10.00%

5.00% 0.00% 1985

1989

1995

1999

2005

The chart shows nationwide Unemployment of Philippines from 1985 to 2005 which shows the Government efforts for the betterment of the people in turn providing them employment which is proportional to the lifeline of the capital: Pasig River “When the administration concentrated to the main goal of the better environment, it saw a major difference in the quality of the river. This in turn earned the country a respect, “the Asian business community and the Far Eastern Economic Review referred to Philippines as “The most improved economy” in year-end review of 1994”

Despite Philippines dally image, due to the efforts of the government; it remains one of the most stable countries in Asia, which can be said because of certain programs and one of which was Pasig 28

River Environmental Rehabilitation program in a way. As a result, The Political Party of Lakas-KampiCMD as a result is the undisputed party for more than 20 Years.

The present government enjoys a relatively high level of support and acceptance from the population. The main working centers of the government has been sustaining the economic triumphs while at the same time catering to nation’s advanced stage of environmental destruction and poverty.”

FINANCIAL AND BUILT CAPITAL Financial capital is discussed in terms of the funding bodies and their collaborative areas, whereas Built Capital can be a part of the Financial Capital in this case, which is discussed in terms of the Urban Renewal Projects.

“Bringing life back to the River: From the past, many attempts to rehabilitate the river were short lived. Almost every attempt failed because the bodies wanted to clean the river only and not concentrate on the factors of urban environment which had misused the river and played an important part in degrading it.

Serious attempt was made in 1991 with the help of Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Then in 1999, the PRRC, i.e. the Pasig River Rehab Commission was formed to look after all the efforts in a combined manner to rehabilitate the Pasig River in a central authority.

In July 2000, Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a loan of about 176 million USD for the cleaning of the Pasig River. But here, government also played an important role in managing the progress of the whole program which was quite successful. Under the project, the major developments included:  Procurement of 20 vacuum trucks for sanitation services  Water quality monitoring in nine stations every three months  Installation of boom traps to collect floating debris from the river  De-silting works  Environmental preservation areas were established which also relocated 10-000 families who resided on the banks of the river  Construction of parks, walkways and green belts along the river  Revival of the ferry service for alternate mode of transportation: 11 ferry stations have been completed till now and are fully functional, which is a great achievement.  Public awareness campaigns.”

Several ongoing and completed projects were a part of the Rehabilitation Program of the Pasig River; These projects aim to upgrade infrastructure in the communities which are blighted, also to provide security to the residents and improve quality of life and living conditions for the occupants “Manila Completed Projects •18 Linear Parks •4 Ferry Stations •2424 Families were relocated On-Going Projects •5 Linear Parks •2 Ferry Stations •2,574 Families still to be relocated •728 Housing Units Pasig Completed Projects •2 Linear Parks (Pineda & Buting) •1373 Families were relocated On-Going Projects Going Projects •San Joaquin Ferry Station •Unisphere Holdings Inc. to fund and 29

construct a ferry station in Bo. Ugong, Pasig City. •Buting 2 Linear Park •535 Families still to be relocated

Three Ferry Stations are in various stages: Marcos Bridge Ferry Station, Eastwood Ferry Station

Multi-Modal Docking Area: Maximizing the benefits by providing an area to unload directly into trucks their cargo at proposed common docking station”

SOCIAL CAPITAL Social Capital is discussed in terms of peoples’ participation towards the cleaning of the Pasig River: RIVER WARRIORS This is a project started by the media house of Manila: ABS CBN Foundation to facilitate the rehabilitation program of the Pasig River. The active involvement of people through various activities, competitions and the rehabilitation of the poor communities, for cleansing the river etc.

The River Warrior Project is officially now registered as public organization. Through continuous exercises and training programs, the people believe that they will certainly achieve the changes that they are working for in the near future.

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CONCLUSION: WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, AS IT MOVES AWAY FROM GREEN AND TOWARDS THE BROADER GOALS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND BEYOND? We, the designers and architects are always committed to sustainable design ideas, thinking on how to minimize the damage to the environment. The question lies with us, can we do even more, by going beyond those ideas and creating a positive environment by something called regenerative design.

A design where a building can possibly be used as a catalyst for a net positive change, which allows the natural systems to be resilient and in recent times, these green rating tools have been in a fashion wisely or unwisely, but they play an important part today as we see from policy maker’s perspective.

Being net positive or regenerative in a sense are two different words with different meanings, but they kind of marry into each other, both are doing both in a way. For example Hathi Gaon was a deserted land before it was given to RMA Architects, the way they regenerated the surroundings in terms of different capitals discussed is really amazing; on the other hand, the net positive approach of Our Native Village Resort teaches that it is possible to produce more food or to produce more electricity in an efficient way which is often misunderstood, the concept of luxury with sustainability, as the owner Mr. CB Ramkumar says, need to walk parallel today and this project has showed that this approach can be possible and will be in a daily practice in near future, designing regenerative or net positive does not mean that only Architects need to cater the problems, but as a part of the ecosystem, it needs to bring out ecologists, politicians and people from every field responsible for the environment.

The urban level interventions which we see in the Pasig River project need a great ‘political will’ with support of organization still working for human causes. If we see such huge projects taking shape in a sensible manner, we can achieve towards a net positive approach through regeneration, because we have already done a lot of harm to nature and while talking in the Asian context, be it population or the carbon emissions; we have been greatly contributing towards the depletion of the environment.

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Bibliography

Include the main source of information and ideas consulted used in the study.

PASIG RIVER

Cruz, R.T. (1997). “Case study III – The Pasig River, Philippines.” In Richard Helmer & Ivanildo Hespanhol [Eds], Water Pollution Control – A Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management.

London, UK: E & FN Spon.

http://www.watercentre.org/resources/publications/papers-presentations/study-tuddao.pdf http://www.slideshare.net/tine16/the-pasig-river http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wpccasestudy3.pdf https://www.unglobalcompact.org/system/attachments/87/original/1ad1c247-f700-0010-0080d75e54f851fd.doc?1262614047 http://www.wepa-db.net/pdf/0710philippines/10_PRRC.pdf http://www.scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10635/16163/Kaoko%20Takahashi,%20Mast er%20Thesis.pdf?sequence=1 https://openaccess.adb.org/bitstream/handle/11540/3470/grand-canal-pasig.pdf?sequence=1 http://www.insights-philippines.de/versuch3.jpg http://ulongnuno.blogspot.sg/2014/09/what-are-causes-of-flooding-in-mm.html#.Vh1T4_mqqko https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_of_the_Pasig_River http://www.slideshare.net/romel_cirineo/pasig-river-presentation http://www.philstar.com/opinion/619585/rehabilitation https://psa.gov.ph/content/philippine-labor-force-survey-july-2005-preliminary-results

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OUR NATIVE VILLAGE

Based on Telephonic Conversation with CB Ramkumar; Owner-Our Native Village Based on Telephonic Conversation with Architect Chitra Vishwanath; Our Native Village deepakannamala. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/deepakannamalai165/repositioning-strategy-the-classic-case-ofour-native-village-eco-resort Kishnani, D. N. (2014-2015). Futurarc.

Mehrotra, R. (2011). Architecture in India since 1990. Mumbai. http://www.slideshare.net/deepakannamalai165/repositioning-strategy-the-classic-case-of-ournative-village-eco-resort Interview with Chitra: http://www.treehugger.com/culture/the-th-interview-chitra-k-vishwanathearth-architect.html https://www.changemakers.com/geotourismchallenge/entries/ournativevillage100ecoresortwhereyoureconnect

https://sathyaconsultants.wordpress.com/category/concepts/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNjGGFbP_1Y http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/untravel-weekends-our-native-village/?print=pdf http://www.ournativevillage.com/ http://www.ournativevillage.com/activities/activities.html http://www.abacus.com.sg/PDF/Towards_the_Business_Case_for_Sustainable_Hotels_in_Asia.pdf http://www.slideshare.net/itshuman/tourism-employment-in-india-1 http://horwathhtl.com/files/2012/06/Towards-the-Business-Case-for-Sustainable-Hotels-in-Asia1.pdf http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/3.%20Green-Buildings.pdf

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HATHI GAON VILLAGE

Photographer Robert Stephens: RMA Architects Video by Wilbur in Jaipur: Field trips to Elephant Village.

Article based on an interview by Laura Spinney http://www.archello.com/en/project/hathigaon# http://www.archello.com/en/project/hathigaon# http://www.futurarc.com/index.cfm/editorial/futurarc-interview/2015-may-jun-interview-rahulmehrotra/ http://rmaarchitects.com/architecture/hathigaon/ http://www.premioarchitettura.it/2013odf/2013%20Jury%20Report_.pdf

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/570oqHdiGbWdiVd2hO4nBK/Rahul-Mehrotra--Elephantinevision.html http://www.slideshare.net/rithikarockingravishankar/rahul-mehrotra-39435901

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