Climate change poses challenge to structural engineers:Parikh

Bangalore, Nov 2 (UNI) Planning Commission Member Kirit S Parikh today said structural engineers faced greater challenges in improving constructions to withstand climate change.

Speaking at the inauguration of the III Structural Engineers World Congress which began here, Dr Parikh said ''with climate change,there will be an effect on environment. The structures should not only endure for a long time but also be environment friendly.'' In the coming days, carbon emissions by industries may threaten environment. The power sector was responsible for 33 per cent of the emissions with building industry accounting for 18 per cent of CO2.

However, construction sector was responsible for only two per cent of the emissions ''How do you design a building which can reduce CO2 emission without affecting the quality of the structure?'' he asked.

''Good designing and construction can avoid this danger and structural engineers should pay immediate attention on adapting to climate change, its frequency and intensity.

''A great threat is posed by the melting of Himalayan glacier leading to change in course of rivers. There is a need to develop technology for construction of strong dams,'' he added.

Dr Parikh said another challenge before the engineers was construction of low cost houses to ease housing problem in the country.

Earlier, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken, in his inaugural address, said the government was spending Rs 600 billion on construction activities in the country under various schemes. As such low cost technology was the need of the hour.

More than 1,300 delegates, including those from 40 countries, are participating in the week-long World Congress in which over 320 papers will be presented and deliberated upon.

UNI