Theme: Environment
No of participants: 25
Age Group: 30-60
Duration: 2 days
Period: February 2023
Purpose:
The two-day event by GIZ in India was conducted to bring together stakeholders from various levels of implementation: municipality, city, state, and national levels. The program focused on peer-to-peer experience sharing of ongoing activities in the selected cities. The topics were envisioning implementation of Low Emission Zones and sensor-based air quality monitoring, complimented by field visits to green technologies and solutions established in Auroville over the years.
Sessions:
The event was designed as a series of presentations by delegates from selected cities followed by visits to different units in Auroville which have run successful pilot projects having similar goals. The panel discussions were symbolically held at the Unity Pavillion hall, welcoming the delegates from diverse backgrounds, experiences and levels to ideate and find actionable solutions.
An important objective of the site visits was to show how civilization can live in harmony with its environment and nature. The team visited one of our units that promote sustainable architecture and another unit that embodies the essence of coexisting with the natural world. These sites were visited to gain insight into the principles of sustainability and learn how to create harmony with nature in our daily lives.
The Pitchandikulam Forest, with its innovative approach to ecological restoration, has been creating green belts and regenerating spaces that greatly reduce air pollution. This forest restoration project has emerged as a model for successful ecological restoration and sustainable development.
Earth Institute is a shining example of sustainable architecture and energy-efficient construction techniques. By utilizing natural building materials and innovative designs, they specialize in researching, developing, promoting, and transferring earth-based building technologies, among the most cost-effective, low carbon, low embodied energy solutions for sustainable development.
Situated in the southern region of India, Auroville stands as a bright example of how solar energy strategies can be optimized to create sustainable communities. In keeping with this ethos, Auroville has established a remarkable project that has endured the test of time – the community kitchen initiative. This inspiring venture promotes the concept of communal dining, emphasizing the virtues of sharing and inclusivity while simultaneously minimizing waste and resource consumption.
The Solar Concentrator at the Solar Kitchen, is a remarkable unit that demonstrates the successful implementation of renewable energy at the community level. The Solar Kitchen uses solar energy to power its cooking operations, which has not only reduced its reliance on fossil fuels but also reduced its carbon footprint.
By harnessing the power of the sun, the Solar Kitchen has been able to provide nutritious meals to the local community while promoting sustainable development. The Solar kitchen has become a model for sustainable cooking practices, showcasing how renewable energy can be harnessed for community use.
Auroville Smart Mini Grid, is an example of how renewable energy and solar energy initiatives can be harnessed to meet the growing demand for clean energy in the realm of e-mobility. This innovative system utilizes cutting-edge infrastructure to create a sustainable and efficient means of charging electric vehicles. Furthermore, Auroville’s visionary smart mini-grid project exemplifies its commitment to clean energy solutions. Together, these remarkable initiatives illustrate how Auroville continues to lead the charge towards a greener and more sustainable future.
The site visit to KINISI served as tangible evidence that the adoption of sustainable technologies is not only possible but also desirable for a cleaner and greener future. Kinisi e-mobility, a pioneering e-mobility services provider, has been addressing the critical issue of vehicular exhaust, which has been a major contributor to air pollution and climate change. Through its electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure, Kinisi has been providing sustainable transportation solutions that reduce emissions and promote a cleaner environment at a community level and is continuing efforts to scale-up.
Conclusion
The sessions proved that an innovative approach emphasized the significance of community living in mitigating individualistic tendencies. This immersive experience enabled participants to recognize how communal living can instill a sense of shared accountability and motivate individuals to prioritize the welfare of the group above individual interests. By embracing this approach, participants gained valuable insight into the advantages of collaborating towards a common objective while fostering a strong sense of social cohesion.
The two-day event cum field visits on the Reduction of Air Pollution in Selected Cities was held in collaboration with the support of Auroville Consulting and further strengthened the long-standing knowledge exchange between GIZ and the Auroville Community.
