Hyderabad 2015.05.29 – swaraj samaaj
Go Local. It shall save the Globe and everything Global!At the NAVIGATE 2025 conference in New Delhi, and thanks to the opportunity provided by Mr. Rishi Raj and Mr. Arjun Gandhi (the CEO and Head, Marketing – Max Estates) I raised a critical question: In our pursuit of short-term gains, are we sacrificing the future of real estate—and our country?
Satellite images of Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and other cities reveal unchecked urban sprawl, worsening traffic, pollution, and declining quality of life. Residents flee cities for clean air and open spaces at every opportunity. How did we get here?
The Illusion of Globalization
We’ve been conditioned by hegemony—subtle domination—to believe cities worldwide must mirror western models to drive wealth. But western-style consumption has led to climate crises, pollution, and unsustainable urban deficits. New York City, for instance, spends $300 Million to $1.3 Billion daily to function but generates only $277 Million in revenue. Do we have to repeat this mistake?
The Solution? Go Local!
Here’s how:
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- Wear Local Clothing
Western Business Suits increase AC demand. Japan’s Cool-Biz Campaign (2005) promoted summer casuals & raised AC settings to 28°C. leading to saving millions of tons of CO2. Why can’t we? - Revive Ceiling Fans
Our National Building Code shows ceiling fans enhance comfort even at 34°C. At 10% energy of ACs + downsized ACs, you save on the project’s capital & operational costs. - Question AC Dependency
ACs add to *heat – up to 70⁰C adding to urban heat. Recall how reduced AC usage during Covid-19 cooled our cities? With intelligent A/C sizing + considering basic passive design features, we helped a developer in Pune save Rs 15 to 40 per sq ft in capital costs alone! - Eat Seasonal, Local Food
Foreign foods need refrigeration at every stage adding to high energy consumption! As nutritionist Rujuta Divekar emphasizes, seasonal foods align with our metabolism, boost immunity, and reduce carbon footprints. And hey, they also lower the need for for ACs as well! Yes, eating and drinking local stuff in summer can keep things cool naturally- including our bodies. - Leveraging our resistance to Heat
Indians tolerate heat better than cold. Raising AC temperatures to 28–30°C reduces peak loads and project costs. Combed with ceiling fans, right clothes and local food, we’ve the right recipe to battle climate change! - Design for Local Climates
Avoid Western thumb-rules. Passive strategies such as proper orientation, optimal window to wall ratios, good shading, lighter colors, etc. lower cooling needs and costs. - Embrace Natural Ventilation
A recent TED talk by Jessica Green mentioned that AC environments have the same Air Microbial Landscapes (AML) as human skin and spit whereas naturally ventilated spaces have the same as the bacteria in our gut- a healthier alternative to remain disease free. Ensuring natural ventilation in our properties can ensure long-term benefits for our occupants. - Optimize Water Systems
At 310 LPCD, the per person water consumption in the US dwarfs India’s 135 LPCD. Green norms shrink this further to 75 LPCD. That said, has your green consultant recommended lower overhead storage tanks, pumps, pipe cross sections, and STPs on such reduced calculations? This is a sure recipe to lower capital costs. - Reject Dark-Colored Buildings
Dark facades in the Indian context absorb heat, increasing cooling demands. Stop aping blindly and go for light colors that reflect heat and reduce aircon needs. - Plant Native Trees
Peepal, Neem, Bargad, Bel, etc. are trees gifted by nature & offer cooling that equals 100+ tons of refrigeration. Palms on the other hand, though low-maintenance, disrupt biodiversity. Which do you think is better?
- Wear Local Clothing
The Big Question
As Dr. Sunita Purushottam (Mahindra Lifespace) asked: Is real estate’s future at risk due to its environmental and social impacts? Urban investments may decline as air, water, and health deteriorate.
The solution? Embrace local wisdom before it’s too late.
Ar. Gaurav Shorey
Founder Member -Swaraj (NGO), Director – Psi Energy Pvt. Ltd.,
ECBC Master Trainer,
Founder Member – GRIHA, Visiting Faculty – SPA, New Delhi.
[email protected]
Founder Member -Swaraj (NGO), Director – Psi Energy Pvt. Ltd.,
ECBC Master Trainer,
Founder Member – GRIHA, Visiting Faculty – SPA, New Delhi.
[email protected]
