Green Infrastructure

It is not the first time that Axis Capital Group, a construction company based in Singapore and is constantly expanding its business to Jakarta, Indonesia and to the rest of Asia, has talked and worte a review about green infrastructure and its slow predominance in the infrastructure industry. The term “Green Infrastructure” has been used in all over the world to define the projects that have aim to preserve land conservation and natural beauty despite the emersion of buildings and other modern construction. These infrastructures are considered eco-friendly.

Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments. At the scale of a city or county, green infrastructure refers to the patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the scale of a neighborhood or site, green infrastructure refers to storm water management systems that mimic nature by soaking up and storing water.

Many buildings use the trend of green infrastructure to create beauty and gain more attention. Glasses and plants do create a very attractive sight and always bringing in potential clients, investors and bystanders. This is actually a current trend in the industry.

How they do it and what they do with it:

1. Creating a Multi-function Landscapes

- A good landscape can attract more visitors and can also provide good multi-function source for good use. One known subdivision owner in Jakarta made a man-made lagoon at the heart of the subdivision and created a breath-taking landscape around it. He also filled the water with coy fish which the tourist can feed themselves. The water within that lagoon also stores rain water to be used for other purposes. Wastewater from sinks and toilets go through high standards of treatment before getting piped back into the residential and commercial area, as gray water passing to the secondary pipe. The gray water or recycled water can be used for toilet flushing, irrigating gardens and parks, and other non-drinking use.

2. Green Infrastructure for coastal Engineering

- Marine vegetated habitats are effective at protecting coastlines from sea level rise and stormier weather conditions resulting from climate change. Not only are marine plants as efficient for coastal protection as cement-based solutions but they have a number of other advantages too: as living organisms they can grow and adapt to changing conditions as well as repair themselves.

3. Using Plants Instead of Air Conditioning

- Urban areas experience more humidity than the country side since there is lesser vegetation and the increased absorption of the heat from the sun caused by dark asphalt and cement. This phenomenon is called the urban heat island effect that can have serious consequences to humans and all living creatures with vulnerable health. The moist air generated by vegetation helps counter the phenomenon. And the oxygen these plants exhale increase oxygen in the environment for a fresher and safer air and lessen complaints from avid environmentalists.