While green building as a concept isn’t new to Amdavadis, takers’ opinions vary. A study conducted by a student at the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Cept) University reveals that awareness level about green buildings and willingness to pay more for construction of one is higher in city’s western parts than in the eastern side.
In fact, response from the buyers suggests that awareness in eastern Ahmedabad is very low, compared to areas like Ashram Road, SG Road and Prahladnagar, where buyers showed greater willingness to bear the extra cost for a green building.
Due to corporate culture, price is less important but soft benefits like environmental friendliness, waste recycling, water conservation and the image built by the green building, according to the study.
The study titled ‘Green Building: Buyer’s point of view’, conducted by Tejas Jasani, a student of faculty of sustainable environment and climate change at Cept, also reveals that people in eastern areas are willing to pay 4-6% higher amount for a green building.
However, in contrast, people in west Ahmedabad showed willingness to shell out 5-7% more on SG highway and even 8% in areas like Prahladnagar.
The study states that “SG highway respondents from Prahladnagar are ready to pay 8% higher for 30-40% reduction (in emissions). Respondents are okay with five years’ payback time so proposed building can be up to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) -PLATINUM rating level for green buildings.
The study aimed at finding criteria considered by different rating systems for a green building in India and analyse the initial cost and future benefits of green buildings against conventional ones.
It also wanted to study all variants considered by a buyer before buying property and to find desired cost and benefit ratio and payback time for green buildings.
