The climate evolution in Hospitality: Designing Sustainable Built Environments for Luxury Hotels By Umica D'Souza

The drive for climate resilience is revolutionizing future cities. Creating sustainable built environments in the hospitality sector is of utmost priority. Within the Asia Pacific region, India has positioned itself as a major force in sustainable tourism. The sustainable tourism market in India was valued at USD 26.01 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 151.88 million by 2032.

India, with its rapid move towards urbanization, is experiencing massive growth in the hospitality sector. There is an increase in demand for "sustainable style" in opulent and low-budget hotels. This includes demand for luxurious spaces using carbon friendly low impact materials. Enhancing the tourist experience in India combined with the sustainable built environments of hotels is increasingly popular.

Hotels are now able to choose from a reasonable list of low impact materials. These include bamboo, certified wood, unfinished wood, sustainable wood (fast growing trees), recycled wood, reclaimed materials, recycled metals, recycled plastic, and organic fibers and fabrics. Use of these materials enhances the life cycle of hotel furniture, fixtures, fittings and spaces. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and finishes minimize risk of toxicity and improve indoor air quality.

Using low impact embodied carbon materials is only the beginning. On average, the hotel's total water usage is approximately 450+ liters per day. Water saving measures must be introduced to limit wastage, these include water saving low flow fixtures and fittings by select green suppliers. Irrigating lawns and gardens through drip irrigation systems is effective in reducing overall operational costs. Treating grey water, wastewater and special water filtration technologies available enables water reuse for various on-site requirements.

Finding ways to locally source produce through green roofs, gardens and hydroponic farming are becoming increasingly advantageous because it reduces overall transport cost and provides guests with options of fresh varieties. Facilities such as recycling bins and adoption of waste control procedures or technologies are pivotal in curbing waste management. The hospitality industry accounts for 26% of the 931 million metric tonnes discarded annually.

Another means of enhancing climate friendly outcomes is through energy saving technologies. With only 5% of total buildings certified green in India, sustainable solutions for buildings in the hospitality sector could streamline the tourism sector, eventually boosting key sales. To meet global sustainable development targets by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions must be below the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark. It is vital to ensure these targets are met, even with the incoming floating population of seasonal tourists ranging anywhere from 30 to 80 percent.

Umica D'Souza is an independent consultant, environmentally friendly sustainable design architect, visual storyteller and master builder aiming to create meaningful, iconic, inspirational well-designed communities, aesthetically pleasing buildings and spaces which improve quality of life.