Green architecture, green building, green living and everything green will be the focus of this year’s Cityscape Global, set for September 27 - 29, 2011, in Dubai.
Industry experts in the property and construction industry drawn from around the world will descend on the city to discuss about the current challenges in the field of architecture and find ways of adopting new innovative strategies in modern sustainable design techniques.
The UAE’s
Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) has organised the ‘World Architecture Congress’, a special symposium that will run concurrently with the Cityscape Global event.
In an exclusive interview with Alrroya.com, Adnan Sharafi, the Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council emphasises on the need for adopting sustainable architecture, saying the days of green talk are gone, and now it's time for “buying and building green.”
“Today with greater environmental awareness and knowledge of how buildings can contribute to environmental degradation, steps are being taken to incorporate ‘green design’ principles right from site selection and planning to design, development, the materials used and operational stage,” Sharafi says, adding, “Green buildings are thus important from an environmental point of view – in mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainability.”
UAE seeks to mitigate carbon emissions
The UAE has taken its green campaign a notch higher, in almost all sectors of construction, with the aim of reigning in on environmental vagaries. Last year, the government promised to deal with the country’s ecological footprint after the
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) cited the emirates as having the world’s highest per capita environmental footprint, higher than the US and Qatar.
“We need to design and develop structures that have minimal negative impact on the environment, as in addition, these structures are economical, safe and meet the social requirements of their users,” the executive said.
According to the
International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings are responsible for nearly 40 per cent of the world’s primary energy consumption and about 24 per cent of the global carbon dioxide emissions, making them a critical component in any sustainable development initiative.
They also contribute to the overall welfare of the users by reducing energy and water costs in the long-term, and enhancing their sense of physical well-being.
With sustainable building having been a staple component in home building lately, many developers and homeowners have become wary about defacing design elements of old and existing buildings.
Sharafi however, outlines measures that homeowners can take, in order to ensure that the work performed on the existing structure doesn’t cause the value of the investment to plunge.
“There are many aspects of existing buildings in the UAE that can be retrofitted to make them more sustainable; of course, each building, on its own merits,” he says.
“From the energy perspective, it is highly recommended to do energy audit and energy modelling through specialised service providers. For instance, on the average about 70 per cent of consumption goes into cooling so that is the first place to look at, starting from the building envelop to the air-conditioning system.”
“The next item which consumes electricity is the electrical system including electrical distribution to various equipment such as water heaters, pumps and the like that have high induction loads. Automation plays a great role here too. Then comes the lighting systems, lifts, and escalators, all of which can be made more energy-friendly.”
The executive adds that water and waste water is another area where reduction measures, recycling and reuse can be considered by looking at the plumbing, drainage and sewer systems, “especially if there is local treatment of effluent and there are possibilities of using condensed water vapour from the air-conditioning system.”
Another application is the use of renewable resources like solar, wind and geothermal energy.
“However, it must be remembered that retrofitting is not a one size fit all solution and expert advice must be sought,” he stressed.
Smart lighting solutions help to conserve energy use
The UAE is known for its high scorching temperatures and high humidity all year-round, and therefore with the air conditioning facilities running for long periods, cost over runs are bound to soar, however, Sharafi advices that implementing proper measures that drive efficiency, high energy costs can be effectively managed.
“EmiratesGBC recently launched a Carbon Reduction Campaign, where the key consideration here was in simply setting the air-conditioner temperatures to a higher degree than usual,” he explains, adding “Participants were able to see firsthand the potential reduction in carbon as a direct result of their action.”
“Green buildings with smart lighting solutions and environmentally-friendly design considerations will help bring down energy use, even during summer.”
But how much on average would a household be able to cut in energy bills after undertaking these measures?
“This will depend on the systems involved, and the commitment to adhere to the sustainability initiative,” Sharafi firmly says, adding “Reports point to savings of over 25 per cent on the monthly bills due to ‘green measures’ adopted by the users.”
Due to the increasing popularity of green building, many manufacturers are marketing their products as “green” simply to increase sales. The executive warns homeowners to be on the lookout on these unscrupulous acts, saying that “Concerned authorities in the UAE have strict guidelines in terms of marketing products for their ‘environment friendliness.”
“As an independent forum that encourages and promotes sustainable built environments within the whole supply chain in the UAE, we do not recommend specific brands. All stakeholders involved in the sustainable development movement are committed partners, who are contributing to a ‘greener UAE’,” he said.
He added that every product must be evaluated on how much less energy it uses and its durability, however, “an independent verification by an accredited third party is useful.”
Another area of concern to developers is the cost implications. Many investors worry that choosing green building materials and techniques would leave a dent on their budget.
“The savings from the use of green materials and techniques have been found to be much more beneficial to users in the long run,” The EmiratesGBC chairman says.
“The initial higher costs that are sometimes associated with the use of environmentally friendly materials are definitely offset in the long-run through the benefits that also include the overall welfare of the users,” he says. Adding that “In many cases and depending on whether it is a new development or an existing one, it is recommended to get advice from specialists who can recommend measures with low or no costs to those with higher ones, with each solution having a payback period.”
The Emirates Green Building Council has stepped up its campaign to promote and encourage the concept of green development, and Sharafi says awareness if faster gaining root and support in the country.
“The level of awareness of the need to develop green buildings and sustainable built environments in the UAE is rapidly increasing, and there are concerted efforts across the entire supply chain to promote green building practices,” he says.
“In fact, the UAE has been at the forefront of this trend in the region. Emirates Green Building Council is the first in the region and the eighth member of the World Green Building Council. The Council is taking focused efforts to strengthen further awareness of the concept.”
EmiratesGBC set to start training for energy professionals
Through regular events held every month including networking events, seminars, workshops and participation in exhibitions, the Council has been sharing knowledge and information on sustainable built environments with a particular focus on the professional building industry.
It has also been serving as a platform integrating different disciplines related to the entire building supply chain, including financial and legal institutions, developers, planners, designers, consultants, contractors and operations and facility management. “In terms of education, we have recorded an increase in number of participants who wish to know more about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles and we will soon be offering certified training for energy professionals,” the executive added.
As the chairman of EGBC, Adnan Sharafi works towards setting the strategies and action plans for the Council, in accordance with the sustainable development vision of the UAE. He works with key agencies in the government and private sector to enhance awareness on sustainable buildings, in addition to liaising with members and non-members in leading the Council, and in establishing its leadership in the field.
Sharafi has been involved in condition surveys for government organisations as well as extended support on engineering investigations for Dubai Police. He has been involved in developing the multidisciplinary Dubai Central Laboratories, the Dubai Municipality Maintenance Department and the Dubai Accreditation Centre, and was also a key player in producing the first Dubai energy conservation code.
The executive is a certified lead auditor for the ISO 9000 Quality Management System, and a certified real estate management professional and certified OAM. A civil engineer by profession, his research works have been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals.
The young Sharafi holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering and a diploma in Engineering Technology, and has also completed vocational training in Value Engineering, Coastal Engineering, Project Management and Strategic Planning.
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