Experts Provide Input for Green Building Guidelines for the City of Cape Town

In line with its approved Energy and Climate Change Strategy, the City of Cape Town has embarked on a process of compiling guidelines for the construction of resource efficient buildings. This is in order to promote sustainable development through a reduction in the negative impacts of construction on the environment.

One key area of concern is the large share of energy use, specifically for space heating and cooling, with associated greenhouse gas emissions that the built environment accounts for. This is specifically in the residential as well as commercial and industrial sectors, which account for around 44% of the energy consumption in Cape Town.

The Western Cape recently experienced a series of power shortages, which affected businesses across all sectors. These outages were due to the inability of the power sector to meet the growing demand for electricity. This demand will continue to grow, while new generating capacity will need to be built in time to meet the rising demand for electricity.

Guidelines for efficient building design and construction aim to minimise the impact of development on the biophysical environment, while providing living and work spaces that are comfortable, efficient, attractive and appropriate to local conditions. Osman Asmal, Acting Executive Director: Strategy and Planning, says: "These guidelines are part of a process to start combining resource conservation strategies, with efficient technologies and improved practice by built environment professionals and the construction industry."

A workshop has been scheduled for Wednesday, 7 March 2007, from 09:00 - 16:00 at the Civic Centre in Cape Town [venue - Crush Room, Fifth Floor, Podium Block] to allow local experts to provide input into the process, principles and tools being used for the development of the guideline.

People interested in attending can contact Grace Stead on grace.stead@capetown.gov.za or cell 084 770 8625.

Issued by:

Lisle Brown
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 400 3065
Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media Queries:

Grace Stead
Local Agenda 21 Co-Ordinator
Environmental Resource Management Department
City of Cape Town
Cell: 084 770 8625