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Building professionals and policy makers in the country have been urged to focus on green buildings as a way of enhancing sustainability and protecting the environment.

Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) Chief Manager, Anna Musyimi said that shifting focus from traditional construction designs to green buildings will ensure long term sustainability of urban places and also improve the quality of life of inhabitants.

 “I urge fellow architects, consultants in engineering and also leaders in government to embrace green architecture and practices to ensure that the resources we have today can be available to our future generation,’’ part of her statement read.

 Her call comes as the world marks the World Green Building week that started yesterday and will end on Friday.

 The World Green Building Council is calling on key players to showcase leaders who are undertaking to deliver greener buildings, the Council added buildings account for more than one-third of global carbon emissions.

Konza Technopolis

 This week, the Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS) of which Konza Technopolis is a member, will lead the country in a series of events, which will include tree-planting activities.

 As the pioneer smart city in the country, Musyimi revealed that Konza Technopolis is implementing several green practices through green spaces, adoption of green building practices.

 This is geared at reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the city and ensuring a clean environment, sustainable use of water, clean, efficient and renewable energy, clean sanitation and waste management among others.

 “At the Technopolis, it is a requirement that architectural designs factor in rainwater collection and utilisation, as well as use of solar power.

As a way of ensuring sustainability, construction materials used in the Technopolis must be green with low embodied energy,” she said.