AAK convention: Climate change, water impact sector
Building surveyor and sustainability consultant John Kabuye has called for adoption of green buIlding technologies to minimise the dangers climate change has on the ecosystem.
Addressing building professionals at the AAK convention held in Mombasa last week, Kabuye said the the country has too many unutilised resources, especially in construction. “It is important for architects and others to develop structures in neighbourhoods that utilise materials on site,” he said.
The recycling evangelist, who is also the Vice President of Kenya Building Green Society, warned constructors not to overlook the need to have resources such as energy and water recycled.
He called on universities and colleges to collaborate more so as to seek sustainable solutions for the sector. “We need everyone on board to share ideas; be it students or experts in the field; the onus is on us to create a more enabling environment for work, recreation or stay. Our universities need to take a leading role in this conversation moving forward,” he said.
Another crisis impacting on planning a rapidly urbanising population is the shortage of water, which is a key component in construction. Kenya is a water-scarce nation due to inadequate rainfall and too many boreholes being drilled, affecting the underground plate and ultimately survival of buildings.
The industrial waste mismanagement or infrastructural overload on sewers is also rampant, especially in poorly planned municipalities. According to Engineer Lucy Wanjiku, 37 per cent of Kenyans still rely on unimproved water sources such as ponds, shallow wells and rivers while 70 per cent use poor sanitation solutions.
“We have a crisis situation that needs serious thought and urgent intervention measures. Research shows that health of people is at risk because of poor or worn out infrastructure,” she said. For instance, only nine out of 55 public water service providers in Kenya provide continuous water supply.
