Syllabus
GS Paper 1 – Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– PM Awas Yojana
– Urban Planning
– Sustainable Development
Context
As the population grows and urbanization accelerates, the demand for affordable housing becomes increasingly urgent. However, the rapid expansion of the housing sector prompts critical considerations about the trade-offs between meeting housing needs, ensuring quality of life, and addressing environmental concerns.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 22nd February 2024
Beyond shelter, dweller needs within the four walls
The Interim Budget 2024, marks a pivotal moment in India’s housing sector. With the commitment to construct two crore additional houses over the next five years under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) and the introduction of a new housing scheme for the middle class, the government underscores its dedication to the ambitious ‘Housing for All’ initiative.
While India’s mass housing construction aims to address the crucial need for affordable shelter, several issues pose challenges to its effectiveness and efficiency.
Issues with Mass Housing
Climate Change:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: Construction activities and building operations contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
- Climate vulnerability: New housing projects might be vulnerable to extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves due to poor planning and location choices.
Resource Consumption:
- Construction materials: Brick, cement, and steel are major components, requiring significant resource extraction and processing, leading to:
- Deforestation: Increased demand for wood for construction and brick kilns can contribute to deforestation.
- Quarrying and mining: Extraction of raw materials like sand and stone can damage ecosystems and landscapes.
- Air and water pollution: Manufacturing processes for cement and other materials can release pollutants into the air and water.
Waste Generation:
- Construction waste: Demolition of old structures and construction debris can overwhelm landfills and pollute the environment if not managed responsibly.
- Hazardous waste: Paints, solvents, and other chemicals used in construction can be hazardous if not disposed of properly, posing health and environmental risks.
Energy Consumption:
- Embodied energy: The energy used to extract, process, and transport construction materials contributes significantly to the project’s carbon footprint.
- Operational energy: Once constructed, buildings consume energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and other functions. Inefficient design and construction can lead to high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Usage:
- Construction activities: Concrete mixing and other construction processes require large amounts of water, putting strain on water resources in water-stressed regions.
- Operational water: Residential water consumption can increase with new housing developments, adding pressure on water supplies and wastewater management systems.
Biodiversity Loss:
- Habitat fragmentation: Construction projects can fragment natural habitats, disrupting wildlife movement and ecosystem functions.
- Urban sprawl: Large-scale housing development can lead to urban sprawl, encroaching on natural areas and reducing biodiversity.
Ensuring Sustainable Mass Housing
- Sustainable materials: Utilizing recycled materials, locally sourced resources, and energy-efficient alternatives can reduce environmental impact.
- Waste management: Implementing effective waste segregation, recycling, and reuse practices minimizes waste generation and promotes resource recovery.
- Green building practices: Designing and constructing energy-efficient buildings with renewable energy integration can significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions.
- Water conservation: Implementing rainwater harvesting, water-efficient fixtures, and landscaping can minimize water usage and protect resources.
- Biodiversity protection: Integrating green spaces, native vegetation, and wildlife corridors into housing projects can promote biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Climate-resilient design: Considering climate risks during planning and construction can make housing projects more resilient to extreme weather events
Technology for sustainable housing
In the context of affordable housing, modern technologies play a pivotal role in streamlining construction processes and reducing costs. Light House Projects (LHPs) and the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC) exemplify this approach.
| Light House Projects (LHPs) under PM Awas Yojana The Light House Projects (LHPs) are an innovative initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to showcase and demonstrate the use of modern and innovative construction technologies for affordable housing. Pilot projects built using pre-selected innovative construction technologies. Aims to provide faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective housing solutions. Each LHP typically consists of around 1,000 houses with basic amenities. Creates live laboratories for further research and development. Current Status: Several LHPs have been completed or are under construction across different states in India. Two successful examples are: Chennai LHP: Completed in May 2022, using prefabricated concrete panels. Rajkot LHP: Inaugurated in October 2022, built with Tunnel Formwork technology |
| Mivan technology It is a rapid construction method using aluminium formwork. It is a formwork system that is used for the construction of concrete walls, slabs, and columns. The system consists of aluminum panels that are joined together to form a mold for the concrete. advantages include: Speed: Mivan technology can significantly reduce the construction time of a project. This is because the aluminum panels can be reused multiple times, which eliminates the need to build and dismantle formwork for each individual pour.Accuracy: Mivan technology produces high-quality concrete structures with a smooth finish. This is because the aluminum panels are precision-engineered and can be tightly sealed to prevent leaks.Strength: Mivan technology produces concrete structures that are strong and durable. This is because the aluminum panels are able to withstand the high pressure of the concrete pour.Safety: Mivan technology is a safe construction method. |
Conclusion
By integrating modern technologies, prioritizing thermal comfort, and implementing sustainable practices, housing initiatives can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future while addressing environmental concerns.
Related Topics
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a housing scheme launched by the Government of India in 2015. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
- PMAY (Urban): This component is for the urban poor living in slums or in kaccha houses. The scheme provides a subsidy of up to Rs. 2.67 lakh for the construction of a pucca house.
- PMAY (Gramin): This component is for the rural poor living in kutcha houses. The scheme provides a subsidy of up to Rs. 1.20 lakh for the construction of a pucca house.
The PMAY scheme has four pillars:
- In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): Under this component, slums will be redeveloped with basic amenities like water supply, sewerage, electricity, etc.
- Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Under this component, the government will provide financial assistance to private developers to build affordable housing.
- Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC): Under this component, the government will provide financial assistance to beneficiaries to build their own houses.
- Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Under this component, the government will provide interest subsidy on home loans to eligible beneficiaries.
The PMAY scheme has been a major success. As of February 2024 PMAY scheme, which has already facilitated the construction of nearly three crore rural and 80 lakh urban affordable houses since its inception in 2015.
The PMAY scheme has had a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries. The scheme has provided them with a safe and secure place to live. It has also improved their access to basic amenities like water supply, sewerage, electricity, etc. The scheme has also helped in reducing poverty and improving the overall quality of life of the beneficiaries.
National Building Code of India (NBC)
The National Building Code of India (NBC), a comprehensive building Code, is a national instrument providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the country. It serves as a Model Code for adoption by all agencies involved in building construction works be they Public Works Departments, other government construction departments,local bodies or private construction agencies.
The Code mainly contains:
- Administrative regulations, development control rules;
- General building requirements;
- Fire safety requirements;
- Stipulations regarding materials, structural design and construction (including safety);
- Building and plumbing services;
- Approach to sustainability;
- Asset and facility management.
References
Practice Question
Discuss the role of government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in addressing the challenges of urban housing and sustainable development in India. [250 words]