Living Steel, a global programme managed by the World Steel Association, today signs the Memorandum of Understanding with Bengal Shrachi, a real estate developer in Kolkata. The MOU is signed by worldsteel, Bengal Shrachi and Tata Steel.

The MOU outlines the partnership between Living Steel and Bengal Sharchi to demonstrate sustainable steel housing in Kolkata, India. The housing would be constructed based on the winning entry selected from the international architectural competition sponsored by Living Steel in association with International Union of Architects.

Presently ten Architectural firms around the world are preparing their designs for the Kolkata housing which will be judged in May this year at Brussels by an International jury comprising of Glenn Murcutt, Charles Correa, Andrew Ogorzalek, Jaime Lerner, James Berry and Nicholas de Monchaux.

In his address Living Steel Programme Director, Scott Chubbs stated "We are very excited to work with Bengal Shrachi to share knowledge and showcase sustainable steel houses for the Indian home buyer and our agreement is a testimony of this fact. This MOU represents an important step in our efforts to show the versatility and strength of steel in meeting housing needs around the world"

Mr. Anand Sen, Vice President, Flat Products Tata Steel, said that steel addresses the desire for good quality, energy efficient and improved environmental performance in housing construction.

In keeping its commitment of being a leader in providing housing for different income groups, Bengal Shrachi is pleased to take the lead in India for applying world class design for steel housing.

Editor's Notes

About Living Steel
Living Steel is a worldwide consortium managed by worldsteel to address the global housing challenge. Launched in February 2005, the five-year programme aims to stimulate adaptation of best practices and market innovation. The initial focus of the programme is the development of sustainable housing.

The member company to the programme includes Arcelor, Baosteel, BlueScope Steel, Celsa Group, Corus, Erdemir, IMIDRO, Mittal Steel, Posco, Ruukki, and Tata Steel. And supporting members are Centro Brasileiro da Construção em Aço , European Convention for Constructional Steelwork, Institute for Steel Development & Growth, International Zinc Association and Steel Construction Institute.

About Tata Steel
Established in 1907, Tata Steel is Asia's first and India's largest integrated private sector steel company. http://www.tatasteel.com

About Bengal Shrachi
Bengal Shrachi is a joint sector company formed by the Shrachi Group and the Government of West Bengal Housing Board.
http://www.shrachi.com

About worldsteel
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents over 190 steel producers (including the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 60% of the world's steel.
http://www.worldsteel.org

Media Contact
Sheetal Chabra
Project Manager, Living Steel
World Steel Association
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http://www.livingsteel.org
Phone: +91 9860198121
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