Sustainability Initiatives on IIT Madras Campus

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Sustainability Initiatives on IIT Madras Campus
M S Ananth, Ravindra Gettu Koshy Varghese

• Presentation at Universalisation Roshni
  Seminar, Rashtrapathi Bhavan,19th May 2011

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Relevant Features of IIT Madras Campus

• Aims to provide a dynamic equilibrium on campus
  for 15000 people, wildlife and flora.
• Campus is home to diverse flora and fauna,
  including some endangered species. Biodiversity
  report was commissioned and provides guidelines
  for protection of animals and plants, as well as
  for future development.
• Campus Master Plan being done with sustainability
  concerns in mind.
• Construction designed with focus on
  functionality, safety and innovation user input
  governs design

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Sustainability Features on Campus

• Limiting of building footprint to 10 of campus
  area Total footprint is restricted to about 28.
  Forest cover contributes to green lung of city.
• Landscaped area is limited to about 1 of campus
  area only grass that can be eaten by deer used
  water used is from treated (from sewage) and
  rain-harvested water only organic pesticide and
  fertilizer are used.
• No automobiles permitted for residential
  students most students use bicycles.
• Fencing around buildings removed to provide more
  accessible areas for fauna flora.

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Sustainability Features on Campus

• Practically all rain water is harvested by
  permitting percolation into the soil and by
  channeling storm water to a lake and several
  small ponds. This provides about 15 of water
  needed. The recharging of the groundwater helps
  residents in the neighborhood who use wells as
  the main source of water.
• All sewage is treated on campus in a plant with a
  capacity of 1.4 MLT/day treated water is used
  for flushing and horticulture sludge is used as
  fertilizer on campus.
• Zero waste scheme with self-help groups (enables
  recovery, sorting and recycling of all campus
  waste).
• Kitchen waste from food service is used in a bio
  gas plant to produce about 60 kg gas fuel / day.
• Inefficient air conditioners being replaced with
  modern systems that use about 25 less energy.

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Relevant Policies for Construction

• All new construction will conform to TERI GRIHA
  Rank 4. Consequently, appropriate selection is
  done for materials, ventilation and building
  technologies.
• New construction within demolished building
  footprint as much as possible.
• Solar water heaters for new student residences.
• Structural design for durability being emphasized
  to prolong the use life of buildings e.g.,
  higher quality concrete (M35) being prescribed.

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Relevant Policies for Construction

• Eco-friendly construction materials favored
  e.g., all concrete and masonry incorporate fly
  ash (from nearby thermal power plants).
• High quality low VOC paints used with guaranteed
  7 year life span for exteriors zero VOC
  nanotechnology-based paints used in hospital and
  creche.
• Street lights and corridor lighting fitted with
  timers.
• Energy efficient lighting with compact
  fluorescent lamps and LED lamps.
• Maximum water consumption per residential unit
  per day is fixed, eliminating the wastage of
  water.

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Recommendations Based on IITM Experience

• Large campuses (more than 20 ha.) should have a
  master plan accounting for sustainability
  considerations. Master plan should include
  guidelines for further expansion and the design
  of individual buildings and services
• User input, gender and social issues should be
  considered in designing new facilities (i.e.,
  special needs, interaction with neighbourhood)

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Recommendations Based on IITM Experience

• All new buildings should conform to TERI GRIHA 4
  Ranking (or better)
• Allow for the use of eco-friendly and
  cost-effective materials and technologies in
  construction that are beyond the scope of current
  government schedules of rates through suitable
  mechanisms. For example, an expert committee
  could review such cases, and approve
  specifications and justifiable rates so that
  innovations can be incorporated in public works.

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Recommendations Based on IITM Experience

• Use of a minimum concrete grade of M35 for
  enhancing the durability and service life
• Use of at least 15 fly ash dosage, by weight of
  cement, in all concrete so that the negative
  environmental impact is lowered
• Use of fly ash cement concrete bricks or blocks
  instead of burnt clay bricks to reduce the
  consumption of fertile soil in brick manufacturing

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Recommendations Based on IITM Experience

• All new buildings should incorporate sewage
  treatment and rain water storage for covering
  flushing and horticulture needs completely
• Provisions should be made for sorting and
  recycling of garbage to ensure that
  indiscriminate dumping and overloading of the
  sewerage system does not occur

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Recommendations Based on IITM Experience

• Provision for solar water heating in all
  residential buildings to decrease electricity
  consumption
• Large buildings with extensive terrace areas
  could have solar panels for generating part of
  the power requirements
• Timers/Sensors should be provided for street and
  corridor lighting to reduce electricity wastage

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Recommendations Based on IITM Experience

• Maintenance of existing facilities should be
  properly planned and budget/manpower allocation
  should be made such that the useful life is
  extended to the maximum possible. This will limit
  the need to demolish and reconstruct before a
  100-year life span that is expected for modern
  public infrastructure
• Only approved organic fertilizer and pesticide
  should be used in landscape maintenance to
  prevent harm to fauna and contamination of
  groundwater

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