World Environment Day Discussion: Experts urge govt to rein in unbridled construction

Experts yesterday called upon the government to rein in unbridled infrastructural development to protect the country from environmental pollution, a growing risk factor for lives. 

They also suggested opting for eco-friendly construction materials instead of bricks, as the production of bricks has detrimental impact on the environment.

They said this at a webinar titled "Green Construction –The Future of the Industry", jointly organised by The Daily Star and KSRM, marking World Environment Day.

SM Khorshed Alam, president of Bangladesh Association of Construction Industry, said, "Dhaka's concrete density is high, and there is insufficient number of trees. The more we're developing Dhaka, the more we're polluting it."

"We're endangering our lives to enjoy our development benefits," he said, adding that the environment ministry should monitor the impact of growing infrastructural development of the country.

Emphasising the use of alternative materials and technology, Khorshed said, "We are building thousands of kilometres of roads, bridges and flyovers. And to build these mega structures, we are manufacturing millions of bricks by burning clay."

"To manufacture such a huge number of bricks, we are damaging our soil, cutting down forests, and polluting our air and water as well. Whereas, we have alternative technologies such as concrete blocks and stones, which are not yet popular in Bangladesh," he said.

Pointing out the adverse effects of using concrete and cement in huge volume, Dr Md Tarek Uddin, professor of Islamic University of Technology's civil engineering department, said, "If we continue to use concrete in such volume, our next generation might not get materials, resources and energy for living and making their infrastructures. That's why we need to think about a sustainable method."

"During construction of a building using traditional materials and technology, people do not consider the excessive use of energy and water, or the negative impact on the environment," he said.

The application of green technology for construction would save energy, water and the environment, he opined.

He suggested redesigning the textbook curriculum to popularise green technology among the new generations.

AFM Saiful Amin, professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology's civil engineering department, suggested the government to promote green construction to save public money spent on pollution control.

"The government has been spending billions of taka to control environmental pollution. If green construction can be promoted and ensured, the government will be able to save huge amounts of funds created to control pollution," he said.

He called upon the government to give incentives to companies or projects that promote as well as use eco-friendly construction materials.

Md Abu Sadeque, executive director of Centre for Housing and Building Research, recommended the use of alternative bricks, as brick kilns are responsible for huge carbon emission.

Quoting a survey of the Department of Environment, he said, "Brick kilns are responsible for 58 percent of air pollution, and the social cost of manufacturing a concrete block is Tk 44, whereas it is Tk 60 for a brick."

Saying that use of concrete and hollow blocks reduces the use of rods, cement and other construction materials, he said, "We can produce high quality stone blocks by processing river sand. Many countries have adopted this technology."

Tanjim Ferdous, national consultant of Communication and Campaign Management, United Nations, moderated the webinar.