10th Global Conference - Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship, Oxford, UK

Sustainability - the global question


Buildings contribute 40 percent of the total greenhouse gases. The combination of economic development and urbanization has increased pressure on the already strained ecosystem. Any civilization that intends to survive into the later years of this century must start looking into alternate energy and reduced carbon foot prints. A positive environment that eliminates risk is the call for the day. Responsible practices are called for, since the solutions cannot be merely formulated on models of law, rather it should be more voluntary and recommendatory in nature. Obvious benefits of remodeling on those lines should be offered in full view. It is pertinent to note here that though the problem is global, the way ahead lies mainly in local Initiatives.

All this time, the West was spending resources so that poverty could be alleviated and industrialization achieved. This was what I would call the first stage resource allocation. When this stage was attained what remained as an elusive by product was stagnant pollution. Now further expenditure and resource allocation had to be expended to reduce this pollution in what I derive as the second stage resource allocation. This two or multi stage allocation of resources was proving to be far too costly, and hence not sustainable. The method itself was defeating the end. Armed with this knowledge and information, thoughts, especially in the developing worlds, now turned into achieving a single level allocation of resources, straight from poverty onto pollution free development by a single stage sustainable allocation of resources. This is the power that the East now held over the West, the distinct advantage.

A flourishing environment, a prosperous economy and a vibrant and just society are some of the desired pillars in an ‘Environmental-Economical-Social’ overlap. The ‘Bearable–Equitable – Viable’ overlaps of these pillars would merge into a sustainable mosaic. A flourishing environment with a healthy ecosystem and supportive built environment would overlap that of a prosperous economy that had a reduced impact of disease and injury, increased emergency preparedness and response all having a reduced impact on the enviro-system. This overlap would result in a ‘healthy environment’. A prosperous economy would overlap with a vibrant and just society that had supportive social networks with strong cultural values coupled with sound education and high literacy to form a ‘strong public capacity’. The just society would merge with a flourishing environment to create ‘a better quality of life’. All this would result in a desired array of a healthier and more sustainable global community.

Sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The principles of human well-being, participatory approaches, a long-term perspective, integrative decision-making, prevention and precaution, and equity are important aspects to be considered while establishing these developmental requirements and Norms. We cannot borrow anymore from the future, as we are already guilty of that deed. Human greed, though it continues to exist today, has already committed enough harm, while never attempting to address those important aspects. Human well being and participatory approach has always revolved around the individual. Long term perspectives and integrative decision making has always been a veil for short term immediate requirements, resulting in isolated decisions. Prevention, precaution and equity have only been resultant in unnecessary plundering of the public exchequer. We now have to rise above all that, or face isolation and disaster. I am not prophesying impending doom, but that is the reality of the future, unless we rein in now.

My role and training as a designer of physical environments allow me to focus my thoughts more on the built environment. That is not to say that the fiscal environment is taking a back seat. Only a proper amalgamation of the physical and fiscal while adsorbing the metaphysical can result in anything forward in the proper direction. Designing ‘environmentally correct’ buildings aims at minimizing the total environmental impact associated with all life-cycle stages of the building, as opposed to single life cycles. Apart from the outdoors, the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) identifies the comfort, well-being and the productivity of the occupants. All would be lost without achieving anything below this.



The new age guide lines may be bundled under the role of policies with the rules of design, construction techniques, and materials being the catalysts in this change. The speed and extent of this transition into green buildings will depend largely on logistical constraints, willingness to change, and available investment capital. Capital, at least in the developing world, is in plenty. Logical constraints are there for all to see, all one has to do is open one’s eye to the same. Willingness to change, sometimes at immediate cost to ourselves, is however, the omnipotent barrier, where we refuse to foresee the future. Let us, at the least, attempt this for our children, the future, to whom the world actually belongs.


Today, we cannot restrict ourselves to merely individual buildings. The percentage of urban dwellers is fast crossing the 50% mark. Care has to be taken to not only address the individual stake holder, but the community, nations, and the world as a whole. Poisonous gases know no national boundaries, and hence do not require ‘Visas’ to cross over. Anyway, somebody once remarked that geographical boundaries are nothing but a resultant of a political decision taken at some point of time, to be revised yet again, and again. The recent volcanic eruption in Ice land which disrupted most of northern Europe with ash is a perfect demonstration of this theorem. The unfortunate happenings in Japan also point this out. Of course, we are still in the nascent years of discussing visa free boundaries for humans, due to many reasons, human greed playing a major part in attempting not to go forward towards actual global citizenship. Let us at least attempt to be part of a global environmental citizenship. That is truly the only path open to us at the present.

Sustainable design approach integrates the building life cycle with each green practice employed with a design-purpose to create a synergy amongst practices used. We should define our core competency as delivering high-performance solutions that increase energy efficiency, durability and speed of construction, while minimizing environmental impact.

Adopt Single Level Resource Allocation to upgrade from ‘Developing’ to ‘Sustainably Developed’, emphasize on ‘Urban Context’ as opposed to ‘Individual Building Context’, concentrate on de – urbanization: and energy load reduction. Aim for availability of resources and reducing, re-using or recycling (3R's) of wastes through their safe, efficient and scientific management, and we could well be on to a different and sustainable world, rendered fit for our future generations to live on.

author - Mohandas Kalipurayath, B.Arch, FIIA

A beautiful song...translated

Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
when the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Though who savest, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foeman drove
back from plain and Sea
And shook herself free.

Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Laxmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleams,
Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with jeweled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!

Any guess on the name of the original???

Another fond memory of my Father’s advice

The emblematic representation of values in the Indian Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses show Goddess Laxmi as one presiding over material wealth and Goddess Saraswathi over Knowledge.

He once said “In the journey called life, when one attempts to follow only Laxmi, she runs faster and avoids you. But if you run behind Saraswathi, Laxmi will turn and follow you”.

Pursue knowledge, and wealth (in many forms – not necessarily material) follows.

Greetings on the occasion of Vijayadashami, where one rededicates themselves to the quest for knowledge, for awareness

The Festival of Lights

'Festival of Lights' or Diwali is a festival of charisma and splendor. Diwali has been given the traditional name of 'festival of lights' because of the hundreds and thousands of small oil lamps or diyas lighted by many hearths, and many hearts.

The burning of these diyas are considered to be the lighted pathway of a person's expression of happiness and also a manner of paying obeisance to God, the Supreme power for attainment of health, prosperity, knowledge, financial security and peace in one's life.'

The festival of lights' is celebrated with much enthusiasm and zeal in all of north India. In fact the festival of Diwali is regarded to bring the supernatural joy and brightness in a person's life with the hope of discovering light amidst darkness, achieving knowledge in place of ignorance and spreading of love amidst hatred and violence.

The tradition of lighting the diyas on Diwali holds much importance as in Hindu mythology light signifies goodness and vitality. The idea behind the lighting of diyas and candles on the festival of lights comes from a number of stories as mentioned in the Hindu mythology. The most famous of these stories is the story revolving around Lord Ram and his family. Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord Ram, who according to a legend came home to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and spending fourteen years in exile. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. Like in Gujarat, the festival is celebrated to honor goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is related to the goddess Kali.

Though, everywhere, it is finally celebrated with the same sprit and signifies the renewal of life.

A Very Happy Diwali to all of you. May the Light always lead us on……..and this Diwali, let us remember to ensure that the light in our heart is always alive.

M Kalipurayath
October 2008

On the Level

Most religions, popular and otherwise, encourage one to be on the level, with others, with nature, and most importantly – to be on the level with oneself.
As an offshoot of a comment, under the revelation in one of the holy books, when John fell at the feet of the Angel – in awe – the response sums up quite all – “see that you do not do that, for I am your fellow servant…….”

“I (Ahom) am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last”

Aquarius, the sign of water, is but only an element!!!

M.Kalipurayath
Moving towards mid July 2008

Rain Drops on Roses

I am building a cottage, up in the hills, which Manasi has named thus - ‘Rain Drops on Roses’. Surendran, (the best Interior Contractor this side of the globe) is attending to it. Since the work was delayed due to certain reasons, the temporary ladder that was kept to gain access to the main ‘tree top’ area was removed, resulting in the fact that I could not climb up for designing purposes. I thought that this was for security reasons.

On my last visit there two days back with Surendran, ostensibly with the purpose of finishing the works, Surendran told me the story of the ‘Tough Monkey’ which resides there in my absence. He pointed out that he had ordered the removal of the ladder so that the Monkey cannot be in residence – as a precaution to the security of the building materials lying there. As an afterthought, he muttered – maybe the Monkey can climb thro the four pillars holding it up. He had forgotten about me, and my need to climb up. I have heard of people providing a ladder for a Monkey, but denying one???. A perfect example of ‘OVER DESIGN’, from a person with whom I normally bond aesthetically.

Good bye ' 07

Like the Ants that crawl from labor to rest and back, so does the shadows close on a supposedly eventful year.

Are we trying to be nostalgic, or weary of the coming?
Where does distance merge into time?

To all those who now live in space, on blogs and mails and messengers, are our tired wings ready to take a flight into the future?

The Tribe in Africa

What is the name of the tribe in Africa with whom the Star 'Sirius" is associated?. Shall get back soon on this.