Introduction

As a rising economy, India is facing energy and infrastructure challenges due to sprawling and haphazard urbanisation. India requires to design and develop ecological cites with an aim to provide better infrastructure to its citizens and address climate change. This will translate into massive growth in built environment and real estate sector. Built environment is responsible for 44.3% of carbon emissions contributing to climate change. By efficient planning, design and construction practices, the building industry has the significant potential for cost effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions which is only possible with innovations in sustainable building practices for new & existing buildings, neighbourhoods and policy reforms.

To meet these requirements, Manipal Academy of Higher Education has established the Center of Sustainable Built Environment (CSBE) to promote sustainable development through environment stewardship.

The main objectives of the center is to undertake research and consultancy projects related to Sustainable design and construction practices in the built environment and the real estate sector. The center will be an academic industry interface in the AEC (Architectural, engineering and Construction) Industry. The center will be coordinated by Dr. Pradeep Kini, Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

The following are the aims and objectives of the centre:

Aims:

To establish as an independent interdisciplinary research & consulting facility and develop into a center of excellence.

Undertake projects related to energy efficient planning, design and construction practices in the built environment.

To establish academic industry interface in the AEC (Arch, Engg & Const) industry.

Objectives:

To undertake research related to energy efficient building design, building energy simulation, building envelope optimization, thermal comfort and renewable energy.

To provide consulting work in built environment related to building industry and real estate sector.

To foster innovation such as developing tools and fabricating system prototypes for addressing industry requirements.