2016-2017

DISASTER RESILIENT TOWNPLANNING

ZERO CARBON DISTRICTS

Low-Carbon and Climate Resilient (LC-CR) development pathway

GUIDED BY: Ms. Shivani Chouhan

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE BY:

DEHRADUN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SAUMYA BANSAL
DEHRADUN 248001 B.ARCH 5th YEAR SECTION A
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TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Image showing the glacier’s continued retreat and thinning in the second half of the 20th century.
Muir glacier, Alaska: August 13,1941 and August 31,2004 source: www.nasa.gov ......................................... 6
Figure 2: Image showing overtime bleaching of coral due to temperature rise and warming of seawater.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Source: https://matrixworldhr.com .................................................................. 7
Figure 3 Image showing temperature rise projection in different scenarios over century Source:
http://www2.lbl.gov .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 4 Effect of carbon dioxide as compared to other gases. Source :http://www.ucsusa.org .................... 8
Figure 5 Heat-trapping emissions (greenhouse gases) far outweigh the effects of other drivers acting on
Earth’s climate. Source: Hansen et al. 2005, figure adapted by Union of Concerned Scientists ...................... 8
Figure 6 Image showing cities with the 10 highest annual flood costs by 2050 Source :www.treehugger.com
............................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Figure 7 Map of India showing Drought affected areas in April 2016 Source: www.mapsofindia.com ........... 9
Figure 8 shows footprint comparison of total carbon dioxide emissions by nations and per capita , shows
there is scope for smaller nations to reduce their carbon footprints and that India falls under large carbon
footprint countries. Source: http://www.indexmundi.com/ ............................................................................ 9
Figure 10 Map showing location of Bhutan Source: Wikipedia......................................................................... 9
Figure 11 Map showing national parks of Bhutan Source: treehugger.com ..................................................... 9
Figure 12 Map showing location of Masdar city Source: www.dezeen.com .................................................... 9
Figure 13 Section through central area source: www.dezeen.com .................................................................. 9
Figure 14 Giant umbrellas providing shade inbuilt with solar panels Source: www. dezeen.com ................... 9
Figure 15 Section source: www.dezeen.com .................................................................................................... 9
Figure 16 View of Masdar. Phase one of the city is now complete. By 2015, Masdar is expected to house
7,000 residents and 12,000 commuters from Abu Dhabi. Central open areas on the inner edge Source:
www.dezeen.com .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 17 View of Masdar. Old traditional jaali facades in use Source: www.dezeen.com .............................. 9

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS-
GHG – Greenhouse gases

CO2 – Carbon dioxide

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

GRIHA – Green Buildings Rating System India

EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment

GDP – Gross Domestic Product

GNH – Gross National Happiness

WWF – World Wide Fund

PRT - Personalized Rapid Transport

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. OVERVIEW
Human interventions on Earth have always affected the beauty of this planet. Environmental impacts are
at the core of sustainability concerns. Worldwide, the cumulative effects of human numbers and activities
are estimated to be on a par with natural processes as an agent of ecological change. Global environmental
change threatens to undermine the resource base and life support systems upon which human security
and livelihood ultimately depend. Monsoons are changing their ways and time, glaciers are melting and sea
levels are rising. This change directly hits natural disasters like Flooding, Droughts and puts human life and
investment in jeopardy. Many of the faster growing developing countries face serious resource and
ecological constraints. Only way out is to move hand in hand with environment and development. Various
organisations across the world are studying the impacts and working towards reducing anthropogenic
impacts. Though much awareness has been created amongst human society because of the seriousness of
the topic and many people are working towards controlling human interventions, this situation does not
seem to get controlled.

The Indian economy is considered as one of the fastest growing major economies. Population increased
from 868.9 million in 1990 to 1.206 billion in 2010, and 1.31 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow to
population of about 1.35 billion by 2020. As a result, majority of the people of India continue to live in
poverty, with malnutrition and diseases. In this light, a comprehensive mitigation and adaptation plan
needs to be drafted and implemented for better preparation and response to such climate disasters that
are generated as a result of global warming. Though Government has come up with many action plans,
some have failed some have worked, there is a need of another action plan more simplified, more
accurate.

Our cities, being unorganized and insensitive to nature create a big impact on environment and fall in the
category of major reasons to cause global warming and temperature rise. Industrialization and
modernization leads to structures that release greenhouse gases in atmosphere. These gases tend to trap
sun rays and eventually cause rise in temperature.

This study provides case studies of zero carbon townships in world and suggests strategies for how to
reduce carbon footprint of cities.

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1.2. AIM
“To study the impacts of global warming on society, reasons of global warming and to provide strategies
and planning guidelines for future cities”.

1.3. OBJECTIVES

 Study the indications of climate change with respect to temperature rise in various parts of world
 Study the causes of climate change focusing on temperature rise and global warming primarily.
 Give a brief idea of natural disasters and climatic variations associated with global warming on
society and cities.
 Study the causes of global warming and give an idea about what is carbon footprint and how it
forms major reason to cause global warming
 Provide strategies to reduce carbon footprint on township level and give case studies of zero
carbon townships in world.

1.4. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

 Awareness among people can help reduce carbon footprint on individual level contributing towards
large scale reduction.
 Awareness about zero carbon townships and strategies to reduce carbon footprint
 Zero Carbon Townships will reduce impact of human activities on earth and will make earth a
better place to be lived in.

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2. CURRENT SCENARIO
2.1GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE-
Climate Change is a 1950’s born topic which is still being discussed. Warming of the climate system is
unmistakable and many of the observed changes are unmatched over decades to millennia. The
atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have melted, and sea level has risen.
Oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) resulted in acidification of oceans Warming of 0.850 C increased
during 1882-2012 and sea level rose by 0.19 m during 1901-2010.

Global mean sea-level rise will continue during the 21st century, very likely at a faster rate than observed
from 1971 to 2010. Sea level rise will not be uniform across regions. By the end of the 21st century, it is
very likely that sea level will rise in more than about 95% of the ocean area. About 70% of the coastlines
worldwide are projected to experience a sea-level change within ± 20% of the global mean.

Figure 1 Image showing the glacier’s continued retreat and thinning in the second half of the 20th century. Muir glacier, Alaska:
August 13,1941 and August 31,2004 source: www.nasa.gov

From 1941 to 2004, the front of the glacier moved back about seven miles while its thickness decreased by
more than 2,625 feet, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Studies conducted show that
Forty-six gigatons of ice from Alaskan glaciers was lost on average each year from 2003 to 2010.

About 93% coral reef have been bleached in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 2014. Bleaching of corals
occur when water is too warm. Corals expel the algae living in their tissues causing the coral to turn
completely white.

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Figure 2: Image showing overtime bleaching of coral due to temperature rise and warming of seawater. Australia’s Great Barrier
Reef Source: https://matrixworldhr.com

Environment is in urgent need to grow sustainably and to put forward considerations about rising
temperature first then personal needs. Following image shows prediction of temperature rise in three
different scenarios of growth.

Figure 3 Image showing temperature rise projection in different scenarios over century Source: http://www2.lbl.gov

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3. GLOBAL WARMING
Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases,
such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that
would otherwise escape from Earth.

Figure 4 Effect of carbon dioxide as compared to other gases. Source :http://www.ucsusa.org

FACTORS DUE TO HUMAN ACTIVITIES CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS GLOBAL WARMING

The important factors contributed by human activities, which are responsible for Global
Warming thus leading to climate change are listed below:

• Emission of greenhouse gases

• Reduce in forest cover

• Change in land use pattern

• Energy Usage

• Vehicular Usage

Figure 5 Heat-trapping emissions (greenhouse gases) far outweigh the effects of other drivers acting on Earth’s climate. Source:
Hansen et al. 2005, figure adapted by Union of Concerned Scientists

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POSSIBLE IMPACTS
Between 1990 and 2008, more than 750 million people—50 per cent of South Asia’s population—were
affected by at least one type of disaster, resulting in almost 230,000 deaths and about $45 billion in
damages. Floods account for over 50 per cent of the more than 900 disaster events reported in the region
in the last 4 decades. Droughts though only account for 2 per cent of the total number of events, hit the
most number of people; over 50 per cent of the total disaster-affected population. Bangladesh and Nepal
experienced the highest number of disaster events. But due to its infrastructure density, India had the
biggest share of damages —$26 billion or over 50 per cent of total damages for the region.

The region is already experiencing an array of climate change impacts, including glacial melt, forest fires,
rising sea levels, floods, droughts, mountain and coastal soil erosion, landslides, windstorms, saline water
intrusion, sea surges, and cyclones.

Following are the possible impacts of global warming that can affect human society

Snowpack: A possible reduction of snowpack could change water supply.

Glacier melt: Reduced water supply from shrinking glaciers

Forest fires: Warmer, drier summers and earlier springs may lead to increased forest fires.

Extreme weather: A possible increase in extreme weather e.g. tornadoes, hail storms, heat waves,
droughts, dust storms, floods, blizzards

Agriculture: Increased demand for irrigation and a change in crop types due to a longer growing season

River flow: Lower river flow reduces water supply, water quality, and recreation activities.

Habitat: Warmer river temperatures stress cold-water species such as trout.

Groundwater: Reduced recharge causes lower water tables which in turn cause some shallow wells to go
dry.

Hydroelectric power: Reduced flow decreases power generation.

IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON CLIMATE ON INDIA

The effect of global warming on the climate of India has led to climate disasters. India now falls in disaster-
prone area. The process of global warming has led to an increase in intensity and frequency of these
climatic disasters. According to surveys, in the year 2007-2008, India ranked the third highest in the world
with statistics saying 27 states out of 35 prone to climatic disasters, with 18 such events per year, resulting
in the death of 1103 people with floods being the frequent catastrophe.

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The rise in precipitation, the melting of glaciers and rising sea levels have the ability to affect the Indian
climate negatively, with an increase in events of floods, hurricanes, and storms.

Global warming may also pose a significant threat to the agricultural sector and food security with a
decrease by 40% of the production of the major crops in India.

A temperature increase of 2° C in India and rise in sea level is projected to displace seven million people,
with drowning of the major coastal cities of India like Mumbai and Chennai.

3.2.1 RECENT CLIMATIC DISASTERS IN INDIA DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING

3.2.2.1 FLOODS

India is the most flood afflicted state in the world after Bangladesh, computing for 1/ 5th of the overall
deaths per year with 30 million people uprooted from their homes. About 40 million hectares of the land is
exposed to floods, with 8 million hectares already damaged by it. Unusual floods take place every year,
with the most vulnerable states of India being Orissa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar,
Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.

Figure 6 Image showing cities with the 10 highest annual flood costs by 2050 Source :www.treehugger.com

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3.2.2.2 DROUGHTS

About 68% of the total agricultural land in India, is prone to drought out of which 33% is every time
drought prone, receiving rainfall of less than 750mm per year. This situation is particular with the states of
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa.

Figure 7 Map of India showing Drought affected areas in April 2016 Source: www.mapsofindia.com

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4. GLOBAL WARMING AND CARBON FOOTPRINT

According to data calculated in 2013, China unsurprisingly has the largest carbon footprint on the planet
with 10.5 million kilotons of greenhouse emissions. It accounts for more than one-quarter of the global
carbon footprint. India has the fourth largest carbon footprint at 2.3 million kilotons, which is also
significantly large, considering that industrialization is still a work in progress in India. The per-capita
emission of CO2 by an Indian citizen is 1.2 tons whereas his counterpart in USA contributing 20.6 tons as
per UNDP Human Development Report 2007/2008.

Figure 8 shows footprint comparison of total carbon dioxide emissions by nations and per capita , shows there is scope for smaller nations to
12 FACULTY OFcarbon
reduce their ARCHITECTURE, DIT,
footprints and DEHRADUN
that India falls under large carbon footprint countries. Source: http://www.indexmundi.com/
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5. THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

The building and construction sector shares up to 1/3 of the overall annual greenhouse gas emissions.
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report estimated building-related global GHG emissions to be around 8.6 million
metric tons CO2 equivalent in 2004.

Buildings consume over 40 per cent of all energy used and makeup for the largest share of natural
resources used at 32 per cent, in terms of land use and material extraction.

Given the gigantic growth in new construction especially in emerging economies and the inability of
existing building stock worldwide, greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are expected to more than
double in the next 20 years, giving the condition is same.

With its high climate vulnerability, South Asia has been assessed as one of the world hotspot

Indian Perspective
The construction sector is among the fastest growing sectors in
India today, recording a growth of 156 per cent from 2000 to
2007 while providing employment to 18 million people directly.
It has been steadily contributing about 8 per cent to the
national GDP6 over the last 5 years. The current size of the
construction industry in India is estimated at USD 70.8 billion7.

The sector emits about 22 per cent of the total annual CO2
emissions. 70 per cent of the construction sector emissions
result mainly from the products / industrial processes the four
energy intensive building materials i.e. steel, cement, bricks
and lime. This impact is set to only increase with a housing
shortage of about 40 million houses in the rural spaces alone,
for the Twelfth Five Year Period of 2012-2017.

More recently, as a response to the global attention on climate change, the Indian Government in
November 2009, ahead of the International Climate Summit in Copenhagen has announced to voluntarily
reduce its emission intensity by 20-25 per cent on a purely domestic level between 2005 and 2020.The
Twelfth Five Year Plan also focuses on achieving a low carbon inclusive growth. The National Action Plan
for Climate Change (NAPCC), 2008 provides clarity on key measures required to achieve low carbon
development. The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and National Mission for Sustainable
Habitat propose solutions for buildings and urban infrastructure. A neglected aspect is climate proofing i.e.
adaptation measures in the habitat sector against natural disasters at planning and design level.

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6. ZERO CARBON DISTRICTS

Cities have a key role to play in the transition towards sustainability. All over the world cities are rapidly
expanding and experiencing radical social and economic transformations. Solution lies in an integrated
approach with passive design methods and technology. Following are some definitions for majorly used
words.

Low Carbon city: The reference to carbon may reflect national aspiration to create low carbon economies
often as a part of policies designed to mitigate climate change. The focus is on the physical aspects of
cities: energy, transportation and buildings.

Carbon neutral city/ net zero cities: similar to low carbon city except defined more strictly as a city which
offsets carbon/ greenhouse gas emissions such that is net emissions are zero.

Zero carbon city: more specifically still a city which produces no CHG and is run exclusively o energy from
renewable sources. Ultimately it boils down on reaching a sustainable habitat which is possible only a
holistic approach.

6.1 STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Half of the humanity now lives in cities, which will be 60% by 2030. 90% of future growth will take place in
cities. Rapidly growing Indian cities will be home to nearly 40% of Indians by 2021 Greenpeace report
predicts climate change impacts will force major population movements from coastal cities to inland
already overburdened cities (125 million people by 2050). A holistic approach is required to address
problems associated with city development and advance knowledge in the design application and
evaluation of policy and business strategies and concrete actions to meet these problems i.e.

 New governance models for sustainable urban areas

 Strategies for energy and materially efficient buildings
 Strategies for sustainable urban infrastructure focusing on energy waste.

6.2NEAR ZERO ENERGY CITIES- ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Integrating existing stock, future availability and accessibility of all resources, sections, components and
subsystems and their interconnection for comprehensive energy planning for the city and surrounding
communities

Develop and maintain residential commercial and public buildings with gradually improving green buildings
standards.

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Develop efficient ecologically responsible and compact mixed use communities with walkable, cyclable and
transit oriented transport reducing vehicle miles travelled.

 Construct all new government buildings showcasing green building guidelines

 Designate and incentives near zero energy townships and development zones
 Promote city and consumer utilized renewable energy based on local resource availability, including
photovoltaics, solar thermal, biogas, wind
 Establish clean and efficient public transport services interconnected neighborhood
 Encourage industrial symbiosis energy efficiency and green accounting at firm level
 Based on these considerations Indian cities should be guided among following concepts-
 Designation of green zone guidelines
 Building development guidelines
 Motor vehicles guidelines- only zero carbon emission vehicles should be allowed.

6.3CONCLUSION

 Future city development should encourage the use of public transit by design of a mixed-use,
transit oriented development; all leading to significantly reduced GHG emissions.
 Cities should be dense and compact in the center so that more people can accommodate in and
commuting could be reduced. This would automatically cut down up to 40% of carbon emission as
people could walk to their work or travel less.
 Inter connection through GHG free public transport and transit orient development could be of a
great help.
 By reorienting the street grid, optimization in solar exposure and protection from wind can be
achieved to save energy on lighting, heating and cooling, while making outdoor area more
hospitable.
 Buildings should only be designed according to green building guideline by LEED and GRIHA
 EIA should be compulsory for every structure to pass with.
 90% of the residents should live within a 10-minute walk of the commercial center.

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7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT-EIA

7.1 WHAT IS EIA?
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a method which enables analysis of positive and negative
consequences of a project, plan or activities. By EIA, one understand the overview, analysis and assessment
of activities, whose realization is planned with the goal of insuring acceptable environmental development.
EIA is a process for environmental assessment, that is, the assessment of the existence and size of the
environmental impact that a proposed project might have. The process includes the program of monitoring
such impacts, as well as the mechanism for repeated estimation of the circumstances under which the
approval for the project can be changed.
EIA is an integral part of the process of the planning of the development project, which begins to identify
important environmental impacts as soon as possible. It continues during the whole planning period, while
including public participation as much as possible.
The Rio Declaration marks an international consensus on the value of environmental impact assessment
(EIA) as a mechanism for identifying and addressing the environmental impacts, risks and consequences of
development proposals and actions. Most European countries have enacted EIA laws.

7.2OBJECTIVES OF EIA

The EIA objective is to ensure that necessary data concerning the decision regarding the approval, rejection
or change of the proposed project is obtained for the decision-makers.

Immediate (or proximate) aims are to:

• support informed decision-making in relation to development proposals and alternatives;
• identify, mitigate and/or compensate for adverse environmental effects;
• contribute to better design and planning of projects and activities; and
• provide for the involvement of the public(s) affected by or interested in a proposed activity.

Ultimate (or long-term) aims are to:

• avoid irreversible, significant and unacceptable environmental effects
• ensure development is adjusted to the potentials and capacities of the resource base
• protect the assimilative and regenerative capacities of natural systems
• safeguard human health, community and individual well-being and rights, values and interests of
indigenous peoples and vulnerable minorities.

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7.3BASIC PRINCIPLES OF EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment should be:

Purposive — the process should inform decision-making and result in appropriate levels of environmental
protection and community well-being.
Rigorous — the process should apply “best practicable” science, employing methodologies and techniques
appropriate to address the problems being investigated.
Practical — the process should result in information and outputs which assist with problem solving and are
acceptable to and can be implemented by proponents.
Cost-effective — the process should achieve the objectives of EIA within the limits of available information,
time, resources and methodology.
Efficient — the process should impose the minimum cost burdens in terms of time and finance on
proponents and participants consistent with meeting accepted requirements and objectives of EIA.
Focused — the process should concentrate on significant environmental effects and key issues; i.e., the
matters that need to be taken into account in making decisions.
Adaptive — the process should be adjusted to the realities, issues and circumstances of the proposals
under review without compromising the integrity of the process, and be iterative, incorporating lessons
learned throughout the proposal’s life cycle.
Participative — the process should provide appropriate opportunities to inform and involve the interested
and affected publics, and their inputs and concerns should be addressed explicitly in the documentation
and decision-making.
Interdisciplinary — the process should ensure that the appropriate techniques and experts in the relevant
bio-physical and socio-economic disciplines are employed, including use of traditional knowledge as
relevant.
Credible — the process should be carried out with professionalism, rigor, fairness, objectivity, impartiality
and balance, and be subject to independent checks and verification.
Integrated — the process should address the interrelationships of social, economic and biophysical
aspects.
Transparent — the process should have clear, easily understood requirements for EIA content; ensure
public access to information; identify the factors that are to be taken into account in decision-making; and
acknowledge limitations and difficulties.
Systematic — the process should result in full consideration of all relevant information on the affected
environment, of proposed alternatives and their impacts, and of the measures necessary to monitor and
investigate residual effects.

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7.4 MAIN STAGES OF EIA PROCESS — GENERIC STEPS AND ACTIVITIES

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT:
• Screening to establish whether EIA is required and the likely extent of process application;
• Scoping to identify the key issues and impacts that need to be addressed and prepare terms of reference
for EIA.

DETAILED ASSESSMENT:
• Impact analysis to identify, predict and evaluate the potential significance of risks, effects and
consequences
• Mitigation to specify measures to prevent, minimize and offset or otherwise compensate for
environmental loss and damage
• Reporting to document the results of EIA, including recommended terms and conditions
• EIS review to ensure that the report meets terms of reference and standards of good practice
• Decision-making to approve (or not) a proposal and establish terms and conditions.

FOLLOW-UP:

• Monitoring to check that actions are in compliance with terms and conditions, and impacts are within the
ranges predicted
• Management to address unforeseen events or unanticipated impacts
• Audit/evaluation to document results, learn from experience, and improve EIA and project planning.

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7.5 STEPS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF EIA

Source: Glasson et al. 2005.

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8. CASE STUDY: WORLD’S ONLY CARBON NEGATIVE CITY- BHUTAN

The small Himalayan country -BHUTAN has a population of just

700,000 nestled between the two most populated countries on
Earth (India and China) is the only country in world with carbon
negative footprint.

Its forest cover absorbs 6 million tons of Carbon dioxide while only
2.2 million tons is produced by the country.

Bhutan has been strict with its laws of protecting its environment
and has voluntarily promised to become a zero carbon and zero
waste economy in coming 20 years.

As Bhutan works to strengthen its economic development within its Figure 9 Map showing location of Bhutan Source:
Wikipedia
own unique context, it is constitutionally bound to protect the
environment—60 percent of the forest shall remain untouched.
Currently, 72 percent of the country is under forest cover.

It provides its farmers free electricity so that fossil fuel consumption could be reduced.

Bhutan serves as an important example of updating traditional Western notions of economic success and
development to focus on a more environmentally sustainable approach.

Bhutan exports most of the renewable electricity it generates from its fast-flowing rivers. So today, the
clean energy that it exports offsets about 6 million tons of carbon dioxide in its neighborhood. By 2020, it is
set to be exporting enough electricity to offset 17 million tons of carbon dioxide. And if it is able to harness
even half its hydropower potential, the energy that it exports would offset approximately 50 million tons of
carbon dioxide a year. That is more CO2 than what the entire city of New York generates in one year.

After the ocean, forests act as the main sink for carbon.
On a global scale, forests isolate 4 billion tons of
carbon annually, removing 60% of fossil fuel related
emissions from the atmosphere each year. However,
much of these gains are offset by deforestation, which
releases the segregated carbon back into the atmosphere.
This makes forest preservation essential for combatting
climate change. For Bhutan, a combination of low carbon
emissions and extensive forest cover make the country a
net carbon sink. The small country absorbs three times
more carbon than it emits.

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treehugger.com
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42% of Bhutan is protected by 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, connected by wildlife corridors.
Unlike other nations with high forest cover, the future of Bhutan’s forests is politically secure. Forests
cover three quarters of Bhutan’s area, and deforestation is prevented through a network of national parks,
which protect 42% of the country. If that wasn’t enough, Bhutan’s constitution mandates that 60% of the
country remain forested indefinitely. By preserving forests in such a way, Bhutan has created a reliable,
long-term strategy for offsetting carbon.

The benefits of forest conservation extend beyond carbon segregation. Healthy forests prevent erosion
and promote watershed health, keeping river flow regular and pristine. Hydropower is Bhutan’s major
source of electricity and revenue, so healthy rivers with predictable flow rates are essential to the
Bhutanese economy. Forest conservation also helps to safeguard biodiversity, and the nation’s network of
wildlife corridors ensures the survival of iconic species such as tigers, elephants, and snow leopards, as
they move about the country.

By embracing organic farming as a nationwide policy, Bhutan’s agricultural sector operates in a more
sustainable manner, preserving the land as well as farmer’s livelihoods for the future. The country’s
ecotourism sector uses a quality over quantity approach, accepting fewer tourists than other countries to
minimize the sector’s environmental footprint while affording the few tourists more opportunities.

But in the larger scheme, Bhutan has secured a sustainable source of funding for conservation protection
that will last for generations. Bhutan for Life, a transition fund established through a partnership
with WWF, is a revolutionary mechanism for conservation.

Even as it leads the world in environmental and climate success stories, Bhutan is still a developing
country. Yet it ranks among the happiest countries in the world, beating many industrialized nations with
strong GDPs and high standards of living.

This apparent discrepancy arises from Bhutan’s development goals, which are geared towards promoting
wellbeing and happiness in addition to economic growth.

It is important to note that prioritizing happiness doesn’t have to compromise of GDP growth. In 2007,
Bhutan had the second fastest growing economy in the world, despite policies and development goals
based on GNH growth.

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9. WORLD’S FIRST ZERO CARBON CITY- A Futuristic vision of sustainable City through
technology
Project: Masdar City

Client: Masdar

Location: Abu Dhabi, United

Arab Emirates

Estimated Completion:
2030

AREA: 6 Million sq. meter

Masdar is a planned
city project in Abu Dhabi, in
the United Arab Emirates.
Its core is being built
by Masdar, a subsidiary
of Mubadala Development Figure 11 Map showing location of Masdar city Source: www.dezeen.com
Company. Designed by the
British architectural firm Foster and Partners, the city relies on solar energy and other renewable
energy sources. Masdar City is being constructed 17 kilometers (11 mi) east-south-east of the city of Abu
Dhabi, beside Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Masdar, which will cover 6 million square meters when complete, is based on the urban layout of ancient
walled cities and aims to provide a blueprint for sustainable urban development.

Giant umbrellas, with a design based on the principles of sunflowers, will provide moveable shade in the
day, store heat, then close and release the heat at night in the plaza of a new eco-city in the United Arab
Emirates.

Figure 13 Giant umbrellas providing shade inbuilt with solar panels Source: Figure 12 Section through central area source: www.dezeen.com
www. dezeen.com
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Another key strategy-

•Building façade angles that can be altered to offset or optimize solar glare.
• Materials on wall surfaces respond to changing temperatures and contain minimal embedded energy.
• Water features can be stored underground during the day and at night trickle or flow strongly, triggered
by passersby.
• Interactive light poles, inspired by the oasis fire, transform the plaza into a 3-dimensional interactive
media installation.
• Interactive, heat sensitive technology activates lighting in response to pedestrian traffic and mobile
phone usage.
• Roof gardens integrate food production, energy generation, water efficiency and the reuse of organic
food waste.

Figure 14 Section source: www.dezeen.com

Layout –

Masdar is designed in two squares, one large square, and a smaller square. Shaded walkways and narrow
streets creates a pedestrian friendly environment in the context of Abu Dhabi's extreme climate. With
expansion carefully planned, the surrounding land will contain energy farms, research fields, plantations
and dense green spaces so that the city will be entirely self-sustaining.

Energy Demands–

To generate the zero-carbon energy to build the city, a temporary photovoltaic power plant will be
installed on-site before any building commences. Usage of Zero carbon heavy machinery during the
construction process helps in maintaining the standard. As the city nears completion, the photovoltaic
panels will be transferred to permanent structures within the city.

Waste Management–

The waste-to energy strategy involves the implementation of on-site recycling facilities for municipal solid
waste and the conversion of organic waste material into gas which then runs an engine which generates
electricity. This supports the principal of zero waste by cutting the amount of waste going into landfill to a
minimum and generating electricity from the diverted waste.

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Water Strategy–

Strategy involves water desalination to provide potable water for use in homes, the treatment of waste
water and then the reuse of this water for toilet flushing and irrigation .

A large photovoltaic power plant, a solar thermal plant using parabolic troughs which work on the principal
of concentrating solar power into steam, and the waste-to-energy plant fulfills the demand of energy of
this Carbon Neutral City.

Transport infrastructure-

Rooted in a zero-carbon ambition, the city itself is car-free. There are numerous car parks that surround
the city for commuters and visitors to park their cars before entering the city.

With a short distance to the nearest transport link and amenities, the compact network of streets
encourages walking and is complemented by a Personalized Rapid Transport (PRT) system. This system is
the world's first personalized electric transport system. It works on the principal of small electric driver-less
cabs carrying up to 6 passengers at a time. A passenger can choose from designated destinations
throughout the city to travel to.

Figure 16 View of Masdar. Old traditional jaali facades in use Source: Figure 15 View of Masdar. Phase one of the city is now complete. By
www.dezeen.com 2015, Masdar is expected to house 7,000 residents and 12,000
commuters from Abu Dhabi. Central open areas on the inner edge
Source: www.dezeen.com

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 Dechert, S. (Sandy Dechert ). How Big A Deal Is Economy–Energy CO2 Decoupling?

 Dr. Bharath H Aithal. (Jan 31, 2015). GHG footprint of Major cities in India.

 FAIRS, M. (2009). MASDAR CITY CENTER BY LAVA.

 FREARSON, A. (2011). INSIDE MASDAR CITY: A MODERN MIRAGE. THE GAURDIAN.

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 LI, J. C. (2008). Environmental Impact Assessments in Developing Countries: An Opportunity for Greater
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 Patil, V. (2016). Which Is The Only Carbon-Negative Country? Science ABC.

 Protano-Goodwin, T. (2016). Bhutan is the only carbon negative country in the world. GVI.

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 World's first zero-carbon city: Masdar in pictures. (Tuesday 26 April 2011 ). GREEN ECONOMY.

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