Kenya Architects Create Green-Building Certification

The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has developed a national green building certification tool aimed at assessing projects regarding their environmental performance, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reported on April 19. Dubbed Safari Green Building Index, the ratings system that will be unveiled in August is expected to improve the number of green buildings in Kenya by encouraging investors to build sustainable structures. The rating tool was designed by the Environmental Design Consultants chapter of AAK, in partnership with the University of Nairobi and UN-Habitat. It will cover seven areas: water conservation, energy conservation, planning areas, design areas, innovation, use of local materials and structures with historical value. Green building rating tools are used to evaluate and recognize buildings that meet certain green standards.