Use of Emerging Technologies in Building/Housing Sector in Urban Areas: Opportunities and Challenges
Rapid urbanisation in India is creating unprecedented demand for housing, infrastructure, and urban services. Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (Urban) (PMAY) - 2, one crore additional houses for urban poor and middle-class families are targeted in the next five years. In order to speed up the work and bring quality, disaster resilience, sustainability and comfort, amongst various initiatives, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), GoI, through the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC-India), has identified 54 emerging technologies from across the globe for mass housing. Six Light House Projects in Chennai, Rajkot, Indore, Lucknow, Ranchi, and Agartala are propagating the use of these technologies, broadly grouped into six categories namely; Precast Concrete Construction System (assembled at site), Monolithic Concrete Construction Using Modular Formwork, Prefabricated Sandwich Panel System, Stay in Place Formwork System, and Precast Concrete Construction – 3 D Precast Volumetric system. PMAY 2 also has provisions to give additional subsidies in the form of a technology innovation grant for houses built under Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) and Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) verticals of PMAY for using these technologies in PMAY projects.? In addition, MoHUA is supporting the development of 3D Printing Technology for construction and further innovations/testing of new emerging technologies under the Technology Sub Mission of PMAY. These initiatives provide big opportunities to change the country’s construction scenario. However, their actual use in projects also brings many challenges, which must be addressed suitably.
Some of the challenges faced in the adoption of emerging technologies requiring due attention are as follows:
·?????? Predominant use of steel and concrete: Both materials have significant embodied carbon due to energy-intensive production processes. Heavy reliance on these materials in their original form risks undermining India's commitment to reducing emissions intensity and achieving net zero by 2070.
While the use of fly ash and ground blast furnace slag (GGBS) in concrete is well established to make concrete green, also advanced high-strength steel exists, which could reduce steel consumption, but their availability across regions remains inconsistent.
Balancing their use with climate action goals requires adopting strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining desired construction standards.
·?????? Non-availability of fine aggregate: Due to environmental constraints, fine aggregate from natural sources–an essential component of concrete–is not available in many parts of the country.? Alternate sources for fine aggregates (copper slag, manufactured sand, demolition wastes, etc.) have their own limitation. They are not readily available in all parts of the country, producing concrete of desired quality difficult and inconsistent.
·?????? High initial investment: Advanced emerging technologies require significant upfront capital, making adoption difficult for small-scale developers. There is a lack of good, financially sound contractors to execute big projects. Also, there are limited financing options tailored to technological upgrades in construction.
·?????? Lack of resources: Some of these technologies are at a nascent stage, and the supply of related components is highly irregular, affecting the progress of projects badly.
·?????? Lack of awareness: There is a lack of awareness among architects and engineers about these emerging technologies.
·?????? Lack of skilled workforce: Adopting new emerging technologies demands specialised skills, currently lacking in the Indian construction workforce.
·?????? Regulatory and policy hurdles: Existing approval processes, including contractor payment terms, do not align with emerging construction methods. There is also a lack of codes and specification for maintaining quality and consistency.
·?????? Infrastructure gaps: Poor transport logistics, especially in hilly areas and northeast, affect the delivery of materials badly, causing abnormal project delays.
The building and housing sector is both a challenge and an opportunity for India’s carbon reduction journey, aiming for net zero emissions by 2070.
To enhance energy efficiency in building and mass housing projects, we need targeted interventions, a strong policy framework, and collaboration among various stakeholders. This includes policymakers, manufacturers, engineers, architects, innovators, developers, and communities. Key strategies involve:
- ?????????? Implementing decentralised production for essential components.
- ?????????? Effectively utilising resources such as fly ash, GGBS, demolition waste, and alternative fine sand.
- ?????????? Generating awareness and building the capacity of professionals and the workforce.
- ?????????? Developing updated codes and specifications while modifying the approval process.
- ?????????? Leveraging emerging technologies.
By focusing on these areas, we can significantly improve energy efficiency in construction. With these initiatives, the sector can effectively contribute to achieving climate action goals besides fulfilling the housing needs of the masses.