Mahindra World City has been named as India’s first township to be awarded with Stage I certification under the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Green Townships Program.

The IGBC is a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry-Godrej Green Business Centre, which is actively involved in promoting the Green Building movement in India. The announcement was made by the developer, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited, which is a real estate and infrastructure development business and part of the $16.5 billion Mahindra Group.

Mahindra was evaluated on four environmental categories as defined by IGBC, including site selection and planning, land use planning, transportation planning and innovation in design and technology, a statement said.

The city was founded in 2002 as a tax-free business zone for global companies, offering a residential address and a lifestyle and recreational hub, and has received awards from associations as diverse as the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Ministry of Commerce (Govt. of India), World Free Zone Convention and Cityscape.

Situated 50 km from Chennai city, it is one of the largest integrated business cities on the Golden Quadrilateral and surrounded by rolling hills, a reserve forest and natural lakes.

The IGBC Green Townships Rating System was designed to help evaluate large developments such as integrated townships, satellite cities, gated communities, campuses with multiple buildings etc. It is one of several voluntary accreditation schemes offered by the Council.

It is not applicable for individual buildings and land parcels. Townships can be predominantly commercial, industrial or retail but at least 25% of the total built-up area (in sq. m.) within the township should be earmarked for residential use for it to qualify for certification. It is designed to address the issues of urban sprawl, automobile dependency, social and environmental disconnect. Developments are evaluated on the following broad aspects:

• Environmental planning
• Land Use planning
• Resources management
• Community development

The Certification process is divided into three stages:

1. Stage I: 50 % of total project infrastructure development is constructed;
2. Stage II: 75 % of infrastructure and 25 % of residential development of the total project area is constructed and in operation;
3. Stage III: Township completed in all aspects; 100 % infrastructure & residential development.

The initiative comes in the context of worsening conditions in Indian cities generally. Earlier this year the World Health Organisation revealed that 13 of the world’s 20 worst-polluted cities were in India, with Delhi as the very worst. Most Indian cities suffer serious water and power shortages, and high numbers of children die from poor sanitation and inadequate sewage and water treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signalled his intention to launch a major initiative to make major Indian cities more clean and hygienic places to live in by offering incentives to cities that take the initiative and encouraging “healthy competition” among them to start major cleanliness and environment-friendly initiatives.

The previous administration had already announced plans for up to 60 cities and towns to be supported for development as Solar or green cities. Qualifying cities would have a population between 50,000 to 50 lakh (with relaxation given to special category states including North-East States), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken along with a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Modi announced plans to upgrade this to 100 smart cities last month. The main barrier to his aspiration is a chronic lack of investment and expertise. The US Green Building Council is advising the IGBC on accreditation of green buildings.