The team recently visited Germany and saw benefits of thermal insulation in buildings.
A team of builders from Gujarat that visited Germany earlier this month is all praise for thermal insulation in buildings. Team members said they had seen the benefits of thermal insulation at first hand during their visits to buildings in Germany. It prevents outside heat from entering buildings and keeps the coolness of air-cooled interiors from escaping the buildings.
This way, not only is temperature maintained in the building, but also electricity bills go down. The developers have gained knowledge about various benefits of thermal insulation along with other engineering solutions and government process of finalising development plan from their recent tour to Germany. Now, they expect the knowledge to be reality here for benefit of customers.
Around 50 representatives of Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (Gihed) visited Hamburg and Berlin in Germany in first half of March. The developers not only visited architecture marvels of the European cities but also gained knowledge about technical know-how and process and policy of development plan.
The developers were very impressed by the thermal insulation system adopted by Germany and feel that it should be made compulsory in heat-affected Gujarat. "Thermal insulation does not merely retain temperature of the building but also helps in reducing electricity bill," said Rushabh Patel, president of Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (GIhed).
Increasing mercury level in the state during summer has made it necessary to have air conditioners in the residences, but many a people could not afford AC due to high electricity bill. "Insulation can help in retaining cooling and baring heat to enter the inside house which helps in reducing load on compressor resulting into lesser use of power," he said. He said that it should be implemented in Gujarat.
The developers were also impressed by the approach of the government for creating development plan. Like India, Berlin and Hamberg also prepare development plan taking into consideration possible requirement of city in next 10 years. However, the government invites suggestions and objections of people and other stake holders after five years that are incorporated in next phase of development. "The government should also take such initiative in Gujarat," said Dipak Patel, vice president of Gihed.
Ajay Shridhar, a member of Gihed, said that the developers have demanded that development plan should be prepared for five years only. "We hope the state government will accept it," said Shridhar.
Moreover, in Germany there is a post of senate member who coordinates between the urban development minister and common people.
"Here there is no elected authority focusing on development below the rank of state urban development minister, while in Germany and other European countries they have urban planner in city council to take care of local needs," said vice president of Gihed.
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