Focus on developing a whole green infrastructure : Dr Ken Yeang
Renowned sustainable architect Dr. Ken Yeang at BEADS/BIT
Mangaluru : "Architects should not limit themselves to building only a green building but focus on developing a whole green infrastructure in the city " said world renowned architect , planner and author Dr. Ken Yeang of Malaysia. Dr Ken, who is recognised as the first and only ecologist architect globally was delivering a talk at the Bearys Enviro Architecture Design School (BEADS) and Bearys Institute of Technology (BIT) at Inoli on Sunday.
Dr Ken gave a presentation on ‘Sustainability and building in harmony with the natural world” and explained briefly how he has worked on some of his most important projects across the world. He stressed the need to understand the importance of ecological architecture and masterplanning and creating hybrid systems as ‘constructed ecosystems’.
When asked about the economic feasibility of sustainable construction, Dr Ken said it will cost 6.3% more than the normal industry standards. But the amount of energy and water saved in these sustainable buildings will return that extra cost within 8 years. Architects, developers and the society should understand this, he said.
Dr Ken reminded the young architects that they should have the passion, ability to handle stress and work very hard to give best results. They should not come to this field if their main intention is to make money , he said.
Bearys Group with Dr. Ken Yeang
Chairman of the Bearys Group, Syed Muhammad Beary said that the group will be joining hands with Dr Ken in a prestigious project in Chennai and will start work on that very soon. " Being the pioneers in green building and the only developer to have 6 platinum certifications from IGBC , Bearys Group is proud to be associated with Dr Ken" Beary added.
BEADS principal Ashok Mendonsa introduced the guest. Architects of Dr Ken's team Saw Seng Ee, Muhammad Haiqal and Vanessa Lai , Principal of BIT, Dr Antony AJ, academic Dean Dr Malabaleshwarappa, Principal of BIT Polytechnic Dr Aziz Musthafa were also present. Anjali compered the program. Faculty member Laxminarayan presented Dr Ken's portrait which he has drawn to him.
If you get visa and if you are a good architect ...
When a student asked Dr Ken if he will take interns from India, he replied that " the problem is not me, its about visa from Malaysia government. If you can get the visa and if you are a good architect and designer, i will definitely consider " he said.
Ken Yeang is an world renowned architect, ecologist, planner and author from Malaysia, best known for his ecological architecture and eco master plans that have a distinctive green aesthetic. He pioneered an ecology-based architecture (since 1971), working on the theory and practice of sustainable design. He has built over 200 buildings globally and published numerous books advocating an environmentally responsive approach to design. Yeang lectures extensively at conferences and schools of architecture (over 30 countries worldwide). The Guardian newspaper (2008) named him "one of the 50 people who could save the planet".
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
