Energy-Efficient Green Cities

Abstract

Does growth hamper or facilitate a country’s environment? The answer in the present scenario is both. Cities and towns play a vital role in the socioeconomic development of any country. An increase in population and energy consumption is directly proportional to the construction of buildings. Urbanization in India is extensive, and this has supplemented infrastructure development in many folds, thus resulting in extensive pressure on the environment. Urban development in India is not on par with that of many other developing and developed countries. So, the country has many opportunities to transform itself from being resource and energy intensive to an effective and efficient energy and resource user, especially keeping in view the its impact on the environment. Such smart infrastructure development can be achieved through green buildings. A green building is a new concept in India. As the society, government and regulatory bodies are concerned about the depletion of natural resources and the impact on climate, so the energy-efficient green cities can not only mitigate these challenges but can also create a climate-resilient infrastructure. This chapter presents the understanding of green cities and the different aspects of India’s green cities initiatives, green infrastructure and the different ideas that can be adopted to mitigate the challenges related to infrastructure development and energy usage while having minimum carbon footprints.