With the climate crisis inching closer to us every day, everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious, including homeowners. This gives birth to the term ‘green homes’, for those who are looking to reduce their exposure to pollutants, decrease their environmental footprint and switch to sustainable and eco-friendly housing.
Sustainable or green homes can also increase the durability of your house by protecting it from water and air intrusion. They offer an energy-efficient and non-toxic way of construction and living, by using reclaimed materials, solar panels, airtight insulation to reduce any leakage of energy, and more. All in all, they make for a good and sustainable investment opportunity.
Why are Green Homes trending in Kenya?
The move towards Green Homes in Kenya is mainly driven by the decline in natural resources such as water and fossil fuels, which were once considered inexhaustible. With the adoption of Green Homes, Kenya is looking to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals and joining the Paris Climate Agreement that recognizes the importance of the construction sector and its role in the current climate change crisis.
Kenyan Government’s Role in Green Homes
The Kenyan government has issued a decree that all housing development projects under the ‘Big 4’ agenda should meet the EDGE green building standards. They have promised to provide developers with free land to construct affordable houses that adhere to the government’s green housing initiative. The bill was enacted by Kenya’s State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS) connects the developers to certifiers so that they can utilize the benefits of EDGE certification for marketing purposes.
The Kenyan State Department of Housing is also working with county governments for affordable housing projects. They have created a Memoranda of Understanding wherein the developers who win the bid get free land to build affordable housing projects on it, as per the EDGE standards.
Mi Vida Green Homes
Mi Vida, a joint venture between Actis and Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE), is one of the best choices for a green home in Nairobi, Kenya. Officially launched in 2019 to address the shortage of affordable housing, Mi Vida comes with an innovative design, modern engineering, and trusted construction.
Mi Vida houses hold an EDGE certification in green building standards. Their projects adhere to the EDGE standard of 20%less energy usage, 20% less water usage, and 20% less embodied energy in materials, making it an ideal green home to live in.
