Friday March 31, 2006
Natural resources for healthy living
POLICY makers, architects, and developers need to have a framework to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
Architect John Koh said such a policy, if adopted, would protect the environment, conserve natural resources and improve the quality of life.
“Sustainable designs for homes could promote a healthy living environment, environment-friendly culture at all levels of society.”
He said the use of natural resources such as the rainwater, solar and wind could also help to conserve and reduce the maintenance bills needed to power up the lights and air-conditioning system.
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A team of young engineers and students fixing a solar panel onto the roof of the Bario Telecentre in interior Sarawak. It provides the building with natural light. |
“Designs should incorporate adequate roof covers, openings or effective solar shading. Tapping on natural cross ventilation will reduce the need for air conditioning while proper placement of openings, would enable the natural light penetrate into the building, and reduce the need to use electric lights.”
He said harvesting rainwater for toilet, general cleaning and garden would also help reduce the bill.
“Indirectly, this could also reduce potential flash floods in the area,” he said.
Koh said with rapid development taking place in many areas, “there are less ground for the rainwater absorption , thus allowing it to flow into the existing drains or river nearby.
However, due to the intensive development, the current drains and river cannot cater to the volume, resulting it to overflow and cause flash floods.”
Koh said by designing buildings that could harvest rainwater, the potential of flash flood could be reduced.
“People need to think and act holistically if they want to reduce pollution and control over development. If such steps are adopted, it can maintain the balance between the development needs and environment,” said Koh.
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