How well are developers versed in sustainable architecture?

That Kenya is a leading country in Africa in regard to latest construction technology is not in doubt. Walk through Nairobi’s Upper Hill and Westlands areas and you will witness the country’s achievement. UAP Towers, Britam, KCB Building, Rahimtulla and a few others could rival the sky hugging towers of Dubai. They only fall short in height.

Red flag

However, environmental design experts are raising the red flag that though our designs are getting more and more modern, their long term sustainability may be compromised.

Many local developers seem to put aesthetic beauty and need for extra space above sustainable construction methods. Except for one or two buildings, few of the new buildings can be said to have been built with a need to conserve the environment, save energy and other natural resources.

According to Musau Kimeu from the University of Nairobi, the architect designs what the client wants. For the client, says Kimeu, there are several factors that come into play. Hardly do clients give the architect a brief to design sustainably.

“Kenya can build sustainably but we have deliberately chosen bad architecture. There is no pressure in the developer to build sustainably. Financial considerations are the key in the decisions our developers make,” he told a recent media workshop on sustainable architecture.

According to Kimeu, little is being done to educate our developers on sustainable development.

Way forward

“We have our NGOs taking the lead in political and other social issues. Why don’t we see them taking a similar approach in sustainable development?” he posed.

However, this can change if the country’s leading architectural firms also took the lead in designing green structures, thus giving developers a choice. By publicly naming such buildings, other developers will take the cue and making an informed decision to go green.