aRTICLE | Smart Cities & Smart Infrastructure
Shifting focus of cities to sustainable infrastructure
Infrastructure is a set of structural elements that support dayto-day functioning and influence human society’s direction. It refers to equipment and systems that are designed to meet the population’s essential service needs, including roads, bridges, and houses. As cities continue to grow, citizens gain opportunities and prosperity, but that growth has reportedly upset the social, economic and environmental balance. A report titled ‘Infrastructure for climate action’ co-published by UNOPS, UNEP and the University of Oxford in 2021 highlighted how infrastructure is responsible for 79 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide Pooja Upadhyay| Trainee Reporter
he concept of sustainable development was first introduced in 1987 by Bruntland Commission Report as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It includes development of a society where environmental, societal, and economic considerations are balanced at every level. Since infrastructure is an essential component of development, it becomes vital that cities introduce the idea of sustainability in the infrastructural development. According to the United Nations Habitat, cities produce more than 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, even though they account for less than 2 per cent of the Earth’s surface. Experts have cited large population and infrastructure growth as its reason. An added challenge is that another 2.5 billion people will reside in urban areas by 2050, as projected by a UN report. As the world moves closer to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, cities look for ways to integrate sustainability in the urban ecosystem. The ‘Infrastructure for Climate Action’
38 March 2022 | www.urbanupdate.in
report called on governments to regard infrastructure as a priority sector for climate action. In a bid to develop sustainable and liveable cities, urban planners and governments have started rethinking on how infrastructure is planned, delivered and managed.
Remodelling cities with green buildings
Buildings and houses are significant parts of urban space. However, the building sector is responsible for a significant share of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide. World Green Building Council in 2020 had noted that around 28 per cent of buildings across the globe utilize heating, cooling, and lighting systems that are responsible for energy related carbon emissions. Most builders or owners are used to traditional building methods and are unaware of the maintenance savings from constructing houses and complexes with design strategies that make them sustainable and reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and natural environment. With a longterm perspective of making buildings green, planners have been introducing solutions in this space with energyefficient cooling devices, optimisation systems that streamline energy use and building coatings that save energy. Leading the way in green buildings, Singapore’s administration has approved features like improved glass insulation to reduce solar heating through windows, energy-efficient lighting devices and equipment to control lighting; energyefficient cooling plants and ventilation systems for air conditioning; building management systems to monitor and control equipment and optimise energy use; and use of photovoltaic cells. As of 2020, 43 per cent of Singapore’s buildings were reported to have been greened. In addition, the Singapore Green Building Council has been trying to create certification and outreach programmes, capability development, and innovative solutions that can support the city’s building industry transformation.
