Solar Energy: Aid for Sustainability in Building Design

Abstract

The increase in urban population, during last couple of years and the pace of development in science and technology have moved parallel. These two activities have given birth to environmental degradation, and are closely knit together. According to UN, the proportion of world’s population living in urban areas shall be greater than the population of those living in rural areas. It is expected that almost all of the increase in the world’s population during 2000-30 will occur in urban areas and about half of this will be absorbed by the urban areas of less developed regions. A study at The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, analysed that unless the emissions are reduced by at least 60% by 2050, the earth’s climate could move to an irreversible phase of global warming. This is a major challenge for designers and planners. There is an emergent need of acting and introducing the issues of sustainable development in the by-laws and regulations.