THE Malaysian government needs all the help it can get for its green technology initiative to make the country a better place to live in. While the government recently announced a RM1.5bil fund to promote green technology, there is an equally important need to build expertise in the area.

It may interest readers to know that Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) is one of the university colleges that offer courses on the built environment.

Its Faculty of Built Environment, although founded recently in 2008, is long in its aspirations.

“We are all set to produce graduates who will be well-equipped to help the government realise this plan,” said the faculty’s dean, Dr Zaidi Abdullah.

Going green

In a recent tabling of the Budget 2010, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the government would establish the RM1.5 billion fund to provide soft loans to companies that supply and utilise green technology.

He said green technology had the potential to become an important sector in economic development in an environmentally sustainable way.

Various measures are in the pipeline to turn this into reality, including the construction of green buildings and the initiation of the Green Building Index (GBI) – a green rating index on environmentally friendly buildings. To further vitalise the concept, tax exemption incentives have been tabled in the recent Budget 2010; much to the delight of environmental NGOs and the public.

Greening it

“There are many cost-effective options owners can presently exercise to make their buildings green, and one of them is to grow plants,” said Zaidi, who has a Bachelor’s degree in interior design, a Master’s degree in architecture and interior design as well as a PhD in environmental design and consumer economics.

Plants in buildings have a soothing effect that can “relax” the environment and reduce pressure, balance air elements such as temperature and humidity, maintain air cleanliness by ridding the air of toxins and pollutants, as well as reduce health problems. Even in the ancient Chinese art of feng shui, plants are often cited as an important element that has a harmonising effect.

Zaidi quoted a Shibata and Suzuki study done in 2002 which found that a person working for four hours or more in front of his computer screen will be calmer and more productive if his workstation is surrounded by plants.

In addition, Japanese scientists have discovered that by smelling flowers, genetic activities and blood chemistry can be altered and blood pressure can be reduced.

He said numerous studies have also shown that a building interior with plants has less dust and air bacteria density. Trees can balance ion density in the air, which otherwise becomes dry caused by heating in the building interior.

“Trees can prevent the negative effects of electrical wiring through landscaping strategies such as terrarium, greenhouse, mini forest, pond and water fountain,” he said. And, of course, plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for humans to breathe while roots and soil bacteria can absorb pollutants from the air.

Not all plants have the same capacity to absorb all pollutants. Some plants have been found to have higher capacity for a particular type of pollutant compared to another.

“We need to study which plants tackle which pollutants, which is important to determine the right kind of plants to be used. For any area, we need to identify the types of pollutants and arrest the problem by placing the right kind of trees or plants,” said Zaidi.

“Buildings can also go green by installing sensors and thermostats to control the distribution of temperature. Otherwise, we’ll have perennially overcooled offices, which causes people to unnecessarily wear jackets, and waste energy resources. All these measures and many others are extremely cost-friendly and can be implemented immediately,” urged Zaidi.

The green connection

The Faculty of Built Environment of the KLMU is focused on exposing its students to the study and use of renewable energy, the promotion of disabled people-friendly design and sustainable design that respects nature.

“Suffice to conclude that our aspirations at the Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College coincide with that of the government,” said Zaidi.