An entire street in one of South Africa’s poorest communities is to be turned ‘green’ through an initiative being supported by the Green Building Council of Australia and the Australian federal government.

Led by the Green Building Council of South Africa and the World Green Building Council, the Cato Manor project will provide each home with a solar water heater, efficient lighting, roof insulation and heat-insulation cookers.

“The project demonstrates that green building practices are affordable and achievable in developing nations and can provide long-term environmental, economic and social benefits,” explains chief executive of the GBCA, Romilly Madew. “The Cato Manor project is a positive example of how green building is not just the preserve of the wealthy.”

With an estimated 11% of human deaths resulting from poor indoor air quality each year, the United Nations Environment Programme hopes that uptake of green buildings in developing countries could help reduce this figure.

This article is published by Luxury Home Design, a superior home design magazine providing readers with a comprehensive overview of new developments and design directions in the residential market.

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