DDA to allow more floor area ratio for green buildings The Capital now has one more reason to go ‘green’. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has put forward a proposal to allow 1-5% extra floor area ratio (FAR) and ground coverage to green buildings. It, however, also plans to penalise builders who reap the benefit but don’t adopt environment-friendly measures. DDA is currently in the middle of reviewing the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021. In a recent meeting of one of its management action groups on environmental plan and coordination, the decision to provide incentives to give a fillip to green buildings was taken. The meeting has given a slew of suggestions that are expected to be approved in the authority’s next meeting on April 23. “We proposed a maximum of 5% extra FAR for exceptional cases that get ratings based on Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA),” an official of DDA’s planning department said. “Non-compliance will result in penalty on the basis of market rates.” The suggestions pertain to buildings that have plot size of 3,000 square metres or more. Major emphasis has been laid on water management in such buildings. “Sewage and waste water should be treated and reused. Buildings should have dual pipe systems with one line for potable water and another for wastewater that can be used for gardening, washing cars or for cooling towers,” he said. DDA plans to come up with a proper regulatory framework on extraction of groundwater and would make recharging the table through rainwater harvesting mandatory for such buildings. It wants to decentralise sewage treatment at community level with sewage treatment plants (STPs) at local level and primary effluent treatment plants at hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car repair shops etc. For better segregation and recycling of waste, buildings should have separate dustbins for wet and dry garbage. “The idea of producing biogas from sewage will also be explored,” he said. Green buildings would also have to install solar panels on rooftops that are 300 square metres or bigger. A plan for provisions for energy conservation will also have to be submitted along with building plan. “Shading, atriums and enclosures will be encouraged,” he said. “Once the suggestions are approved and notification is issued, the regulations would have to be finalised by the Delhi government’s environment department within six months,” the official said. Apart from buildings, the suggestions also include conservation plans for water bodies that are above one hectares in area through inclusion in landscaping plans.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 09:38:50 +0000
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