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The 'Greenhouse Effect': ME Promotes Eco-Friendly Housing

Published: 04 Jan. 2003, 18:55

'Green Apartments' are expected to boom from the second half of this year, as the Ministry of Environment (ME) takes measures to show it is serious about the establishment of new, environmentally friendly standards.

The ministry will begin inspections of apartments to identify those which produce less pollution and are otherwise eco-friendly from the end of this month, and to certify them as 'green' from the second half of this year.

The ministry hopes that with this new certification system in place, construction companies will make greater efforts to create greener housing.

The certification system will evaluate housing by considering measures taken by construction companies to save energy and resources, and reduce pollution, by considering all aspects of the building, including its location, operation, construction, management, and waste disposal.

In particular, efforts to increase occupant comfort, including the reduction of air pollution inside the building, easy temperature control and two-way noise soundproofing, as well as environmentally sound disposal of waste during construction will be included in evaluations.

by Kang Chan-soo