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What are the region’s top sustainability hot topics? Holley Chant


Rob Cooke


How to create sustainability excellence in design and build projects. We are finding that design and build offers opportunities for collaboration with the client on a day-to-day basis from day one - which ends up embedding greater sustainability into the project. Low carbon planning for the future by modifying existing long- term assets such as centralised infrastructure. Wastewater sewage treatment plants are a great example; how can we revisit these facilities and optimise them for the rest of their lifespan to run more efficiently. Sustainability on site. Tere are numerous projects now entering construction with Estidama requirements in the tender documents. Achieving a Pearl Design rating is only the beginning of the journey; what happens on site is critical. Public health. With rampant diabetes, obesity and asthma in the Gulf, it is high time every consultant and developer takes this issue as a serious consideration in how we create a sustainable built environment. Cultural preservation and cultural evolution in design. How do designers create communities that look like they should be in the Gulf without having them look like they are in Disneyland? What defines modern, iconic Arab architecture? Harvard and the Qatar Foundation are conducting an amazing research project called the Gulf Encyclopedia for Sustainable Urbanism, which will eventually become an available resource.


Te performance of existing buildings from an environmental performance, but also productivity and wellbeing, perspective. Security of supplies. Recognising that the sources we rely on now may not be 100 per cent available in the future. Wellbeing and comfort. Providing comfortable (walkable) outdoor and indoor spaces using passive environmental design techniques and enhancing natural phenomena; an example of this is the success of Wadi Hannifah. Water consumption. An increasingly scarce resource in the region, which is often taken for granted. Renewable energy. People are interested in how we can use new technology to help us overcome the environmental and supply security problems and be part of a new future. Operational and construction waste management. Tere is recognition that the region performs very poorly when it comes to material recycling, and that this is a significant waste of resources that impacts the economy and environment. Transport. Assessing the impact of new developments on transport flows and integrating alternative transport modes is increasingly coming to the fore. Increased density and reduced reliance on automotive transport - through walkable streets and alternative systems - is needed.


Matthew Plumbridge


Balancing supply and demand of real estate. Te need for comprehensive building codes to be in effect across the UAE and GCC. A culture of maintenance needs to be developed to optimise energy efficiency of existing buildings A move to modular methods of construction to ensure quality, minimise waste and create a safe and comfortable workplace. Buildings need to be made safer during construction and operation. Contractors need to be more vigilant and adhere to safety management systems; windows are to open sufficiently to prevent children from falling, fire systems need to be monitored etc.


Adnan Sharafi


Promoting energy efficiency measures in existing buildings. We recently hosted a Focus Day to discuss this, and will continue to focus on other aspects related to existing buildings in the coming months. Water conservation recycling and low-cost production, waste reduction and recycling, indoor air quality and low-cost renewable energy are among the priority areas. Adoption of an integrated approach to sustainability, which must begin from planning and design through to construction and thereafter.


Sustainability Heroes


Te sustainability projects in the Middle East setting new industry benchmarks “Dohaland’s downtown Musheireb project is really interesting, and right now I would say this is the project to watch in the region. Te Abu Dhabi Education Council’s new schools initiative also continues to embrace sustainability.” Holley Chant, KEO International


“Riyadh’s Wadi Hannifah Rehabilitation Project has provided a demonstration of integrated thinking that shows how you can create something that generates social, environmental and economic improvement to a region. I’ve also been really impressed by the success of Chamber of Commerce in Dubai in addressing their existing buildings. And the strong commitment shown by TDIC to sustainability has always been impressive, and their future plans for Saadiyat Island are very exciting.” Rob Cooke, Middle East Sustainability Team Leader, Buro Happold


“Naturally, the aspirations of Masdar top the list. Other lesser- known projects include the Comprehensive Cooling Plan being led by the Executive Affairs Authority, and the DMA ‘s building code and Environmental Health & Safety Management System for the Construction sector provide a robust regulatory framework to deliver safe, quality and environmentally sustainable buildings. Te DMA is also managing the Sustainable Public Lighting Strategy which will transform the energy efficiency of all public lighting across the emirate.” Matthew Plumbridge, Consultant - Environmental and Sustainability Planning, Department of Municipal Affairs, Abu Dhabi


APRIL 2012 I CITYSCAPE I 39


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