Why Greater FAR For Green Buildings Is A Good Idea

Getting a certificate for green buildings in Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) might not be easy in the near future as norms might become more stringent. These three development authorities at present give incentives to builders in the form of 5% additional floor area ratio (FAR) if they seek green building certification by GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment). However, the implementation is not yet effective. Constructing green buildings is an integral part of the government's smart cities project.

According to Noida authority officials, there are 80 green buildings in Noida. They say the underlying concept behind 80% of the upcoming properties in Noida is green building. This is an unprecedented growth rate. But, the development trajectory of Noida is not very different from that of other parts of the world. In 2010, the expenditure on green commercial construction projects in the United States was about $54 billion. By 2015, the money spent on construction of green buildings in the commercial sector is expected to rise to $120-145 billion. 

Green development is a contentious topic everywhere in the world. Proponents of green development argue that the government should enforce the standards that encourage green building on developers. Many economists and environmental scientists think that green buildings are a luxury and come as a burden on home buyers and builders in terms of costs. But, it is clear that local authorities giving incentives in the form of additional FAR to  builders of green buildings is a win-win situation for everybody.

Developers can add additional floor space at a lower cost while adhering to the norms of green development. Greater FAR is important for high density development in Noida which makes the city greener in many other ways, through lower commuting times and lower energy consumption because more people share the utilities when floor space is greater.

According to the Indian Green Building Council of  Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), there are 1,239 registered buildings and 187 certified buildings in India with 855.96 million sq.ft. of green building footprint. The deepest penetration is among the most expensive projects. This indicates that while everyone cannot afford green buildings, when it is not very costly to build them, self-interest of developers prompt green projects.

There are many independent reasons why builders would be keen on developing green projects as long as they would not have pay too much for this. For example, greenery in structures increases the amount of time people spend inside shopping malls because it lowers their resistance to the commercial nature of malls. Greenery looks softer than steel and concrete. When sunlight falls on indoor greenery, this gives an outdoor radiance to indoor settings. Employees in green buildings receive greater sunlight and fresh air due to cross ventilation. They live healthier, more productive lives.

Potted plants also serve a symbolic purpose by making people feel at home, even in a commercial or industrial setting. People feel that they are still living in harmony with nature. So, when Noida becomes more prosperous, developers, employers and home buyers would be willing to spend more on green buildings even without incentives like additional FAR.