Sharjah: Developers will have to implement 'green' building regulations in new commercial and residential buildings in Sharjah by next year as part of an official campaign to conserve energy in the emirate.
Sultan Al Mualla, Assistant Director-General for governmental projects at Sharjah Municipality, said: "The new rules are expected to be announced in January 2009, and will be implemented immediately afterwards."
Speaking on Sunday on the sidelines of the 10th edition of the Sharjah Urban Planning Symposium (SUPS), Al Mualla said the government of Sharjah plans to issue a number of regulations to developers for all upcoming buildings.
The Technical Affairs Section at the municipality is currently preparing a resolution on how to implement the specifications for 'green' buildings, according to Al Mualla.
The government plans to implement all the environmentally-friendly elements that include sustainability of the site, conservation and management of energy and water, value-added real estate, the type of materials used, and solar power.
"All the buildings will meet international standards and 'green' building specifications," said Al Mualla.
"Sharjah Municipality has already implemented 'green' building specifications in its new premises that is under construction, as well as in the new shopping centre in Al Khalidiya area," he said.
The Government of Sharjah aims to implement the 'green' building system efficiently through the cooperation of the Directorate of Town Planning and Survey, and the Directorate of Public Works, in addition to Sharjah Municipality.
Ahmad Al Shamsi, Head of Architecture section at Sharjah Directorate of Town Planning and Survey, said: "We aim to transform the construction industry from a conventional wasteful, harmful and unhealthy industry into a sustainable one by implementing the green building system that protects the environment."
