The road to sustainability is a path fraught with challenges. Although some wish to see a green future, few tread this path, and even fewer bear that torch that lights the way.
However, there is one man who is spearheading the research into green and sustainable development, and building environments, whilst simultaneously nurturing and instilling the passion and spirit of innovation within his students.
He is Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Fakri Zaky Jaafar, a senior lecturer at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Design and Architecture at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Fakri graduated from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 1993, and a Bachelor of Architecture in 1996.
He also worked as a graduate architect with several architectural firms in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka before moving to UPM as a lecturer. In 2009, Fakri completed his doctorate in Built Environment at the University College London, specialising in thermal comfort in homes. He has several PhD and Masters students working under him in his research activities.
Among his research activities that focus on sustainable development is utilising Revotropix Paulownia – one of the most productive species of trees and the fastest-growing tree in the world.
Fakri recently researched about and worked on Revotropix Paulownia and it has already shown tremendous potential for sustainability. Revotropix Paulownia is now cultivated in Malaysia. One of the tremendous advantages of this timber species is that it is one of the fastest-growing trees in the world.
“A great advantage is its rapid growth cycle compared to other trees. Paulownia can regenerate from a cut stump and grow into another mature tree in four to six years. This repetition of this cycle multiplies the effect of forest conservation,” said Fakri.
Additionally, Paulownia can be planted on soil often unsuitable for other timber species. Therefore, Paulownia can also be grown in plantations that not only optimises land usage and soil quality, but through regular growth cycles in plantations, Paulownia can easily supply locally produced wood that can contribute towards the local economies.
This is a massive step forward in sustainability as it provides local economies and communities with a steady supply of timber without harvesting from native sources such as forests and lush jungle terrains.
With harvest operations shifting towards plantations, this gives a chance for native forests and jungles to regenerate slowly. As wood is highly valued as a natural resource for many applications, sustainable solutions must inevitably be utilised to preserve native forests and jungles. At the same time, it provides a sustainable supply of timber through managed plantations.
“Compared to other types of timber, Paulownia is light yet strong. Although not as strong as other types of wood, it is strong for its weight, and that is what matters,” said Fakri on the applications of Paulownia.
As it stands, Paulownia has industrial applications in constructing light structures and furniture. Using its rapid growth cycle, Paulownia timber can be used to manufacture plywood, veneer and sawn wood, which uses two to three-year-old Paulownia timber.
These manufactured timber can then be used in the construction of light construction timber, and even wooden furniture such as tables and chairs.
However, Paulownia is not yet proven to be utilised in building construction, as research in this field is still lacking.
Due to its rapid growth cycle, Paulownia cultivation can be a profitable business. It could also encourage the development of local communities through employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour.
The difference from regular timber found in native sources is that Paulownia’s rapid growth cycle can be highly beneficial to agriculture. Besides the industrial applications, Paulownia also plays a vital role in sustaining the environment. Through managed plantations of Paulownia, it can act as natural green filters that purify the air.
As Paulownia absorbs more carbon dioxide than any other tree species, it can control carbon emissions better, reducing global warming. Paulownia roots can also play a part in preventing soil erosion during floods and even improve infiltration in river areas near plantations. – Green @Xtra
