Kenyan green housing dilemma

A slowdown in the Kenya Real Estate sector poses a serious threat to Kenyas green housing ambitions. Homeowners and builders both looking for ways to save money may disregard eco technologies. Or are they, despite the slight additional cost, the only way ahead.
The verdict is still out on whether the Kenya Real Estate is in a slowdown, start of something worse to come or merely buyers waiting for choice and value. But, if money is withdrawn from new technologies now, it will hinder the further advancements of many eco technologies and delay potential price reductions that could benefit all Kenyans. A short term reduction in the use of eco technologies is disastrous and will have long term consequences. We should follow the Government of Kenyas lead who commissioned a master plan for Solar in all rural schools. The more forward thinking developers are fast realising that consumers are prepared to pay a premium for homes incorporating features such as solar. They are gambling that major energy suppliers will ramp up their fuel bills in the future and green features will help sell their developments in a cool market place.     

It is true that a buyer faced with two otherwise identical properties and one is more energy efficient than the other it will sell first, but there are so many other factors in people’s decisions. Kenyans are more interested in saving money than saving the plant, and times are getting harder with food prices soaring. When Kenyans enter the house buying-process security and neighbourhood figures first, then access to reliable water and power supply last. Kenyans have got used to power cuts and if the dream home is somewhere on a matatu route close to work then quality of life is best served through reducing travel journey times. The final deciding factor is whether the family unit can afford the property. Let us have the courage to push for new eco technologies but always remember to keep decisions within budget and do not get drawn into emotional commitments. The eco future let us hope comes sooner for the majority of Kenyans and standards of living improve across Kenya and reaches rural communities, which desperately require them. The more people that can afford to adopt solar then the better it will become for the rest who have to rely on the state and corporate means.

For information on how Kenya is progressing towards eco technology, visit ClimaCento Green Tech, the solar products specialists have principled management and professional installators. info@climacento.co.ke  

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