Megacities 2010 Forum: Green Buildings

The importance of developing green buildings was highlighted in the Megacities 2010 Forum. With respect to the topic Sustainable Urban Planning, speakers offered information on the steps to follow when developing a building in order that it be granted a green building certificate.

"Actions are neither voluntary, nor free; commitment to change must be undertaken," stated the Attorney Carlos Grinberg, President of Argentina Green Building Council (AGBC), in the Megacities Forum, which was held last June 30^th at UCA’s Convention Center and organized by the Argentine-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

With respect to the topic Sustainable Urban Planning, Grinberg explained that a building must meet different standards in order to be considered sustainable and be awarded the certificate. A building must be efficiently developed regarding the use of energy, materials, water and soil quality. Buildings can qualify for four levels of certification: certified, silver, gold or platinum.

"LEED certification does not certify construction materials; it certifies the entire building and its operation," Grinberg said. He also stated that the Argentine market is an immature one and that a few sustainable suppliers can be found. LEED process began in 2001 in the United States and became known in the country in 2006. "Generally, sustainable suppliers should be found abroad, since a few things are manufactured in Argentina," he added. That is why there is no certification for materials yet.

Then, Engineer Eduardo Hilsenrat stressed the importance of bearing in mind the three “Rs” when building: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. "The change should be to build, without causing damage." For that reason, Hilsenrat remarked one important issue regarding sustainable building: “deconstruction,” that is the dismantlement of a building saving energy and avoiding demolition and refilling.

The Argentine Chamber of Urban Developers (CEDU) was a partner in the Forum as a sponsor of debates and discussions of innovative projects regarding the great life challenges in emerging cities, that seek to become eco-friendly and efficient metropolises.

Source: CEDU (Argentine Chamber of Urban Developers)