By Nikki De Guzman:
To promote the construction of green buildings in line with the guidelines set by the Thai Green Building Institute, Bangkok has approved its new city plan, “Bangkok, the Green City”, which will permit developers of green buildings to increase their floor-area ratios beyond the level allowed for standard buildings.
Panyapas Nopphan, Deputy Director-General of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s City Planning Department, noted that while developers would need to increase their budgets to build eco-friendly buildings, the move will ultimately help save energy in the long term.
Under the Thai Green Building Institute’s green-building concept, a building will be evaluated based on eight key factors namely building management, site and landscape, water conservation, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, environmental protection, and green innovation.
Once the property receives an overall pass score, it will be certified as a legitimate green building, which means it saves 30 to 40 percent energy compared to a typical edifice.
Panyapas noted that a developer who builds in line with the institute’s standards will be permitted to increase floor-area ratios compared from a normal building.
However, developers also need to shoulder 20 to 30 percent higher costs, noted Issara Boonyoung, President of the Business Housing Association.
Prasert Taedullayasatit, Chief Business Officer of Pruksa Real Estate, commented: “We have to study the details of the new city plan and the cost of putting up a green building, and decide how much of a challenge that is in business terms.”
The newly-unveiled Bangkok city plan will take effect once the existing plan expires on 15 May.
Nikki De Guzman, Junior Reporter at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email nikki@allproperty.com.sg
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