Sustainability of construction practices has acquired an all pervading importance in view of the run on material resources in recent years. Since construction industry guzzles huge quantities of materials, auditing their consumption is of urgent importance. Energy is another scarce resource. Conservation of energy and materials to meet the needs of future generations is the cornerstone of the approach to sustainability.

This monograph is an attempt to provide information on sustainable materials use and energy conservation for students of engineering and architecture. It is hoped that it will help professionals to think in the direction of new alternatives. Reduction in the use of fossil fuel based materials, use of renewable materials like bamboo and timber and recycling of construction and demolition wastes are some of the possibilities.

There is also an emphasis on the concept of green buildings. A special chapter is contributed to new building technologies for affordable housing for sustainable development.