The new-age Mumbai is getting hotter, literally. The swank glass-surfaced towers that are springing up in the city seem to be raising the city’s temperature levels.
A city corporator is planning to take up the issue at the civic general body meeting scheduled next week, seeking changes in construction regulations.
“The relentless glass architecture is heating up the temperature and it needs to be controlled before things go out of hand. I am planning to take up the issue so that it is brought to attention, debated and proper guidelines are passed for it,” NCP corporator from Malad, Vidya Chavan, said. “The reflections of light rays lead to increase in temperature in the surroundings.”
According to agenda documents of the meeting to be held next week, Chavan is seeking necessary amendments in development control regulations, to stop covering buildings, which are being constructed externally, by coloured glass that reflects light rays.
“It is not just the reflection of such glass, but the supporting columns are made up of aluminum, which further contribute to the rise in heat. I am seeking changes in the development control rules, limiting the use of glass,” she said.
The Centre too has set guidelines for glass architecture. The Energy Conservation Building Code, 2007, prepared by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency sets minimum efficiency standards for external wall, roof, glass structure, lighting, heating, and ventilation of the commercial buildings.
“This increased use of glass in Indian buildings is not without risks. Wrong selection of glass type is widespread and does result in increased heat gain and loss in buildings and that raises the risk of injuries to people. These are the side affects that the building industry has only recently begun to recognise in India,” a government report on use of glass in construction states.
“Glass structures are energy guzzlers. A glass building uses more energy as it requires air-conditioning to keep it cooler than conventional buildings. This leads to more energy consumption,” Debi Goneka, of the Conservation Action Trust.
