Green building founder in UAE venture

Dubai: The founder of the green buildings model being used around the world to ensure efficient energy use in modern and buildings of the future is setting up partnership in the UAE.

David Gottfried, founder of the Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design (LEED) rating system for green buildings, has formed a joint venture with the Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development.

"The magnitude and pace of construction in Dubai and the Gulf region is very exciting," said Gottfried. "Given the environmental impact of the work, as well as constraints and ramifications of building in the desert, it is essential that all cities and their buildings embrace the principles and performance potential of a high level of sustainability."

Dubai and the Gulf region has an incredible greening potential, he added. In his new venture, Gottfried will travel to Dubai four times a year to assist in carrying out strategic green consultation services and conduct workshops.

In collaboration with the Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development, Gottfried will focus on green city planning and guidelines, green building charettes - building camps, green corporate strategic plans, green action plans, green product specification and procurement.

During his last visit to the UAE, Gottfried highlighted that sustainable building rules need to be fast- tracked in Dubai, otherwise hundreds of buildings will miss out on standards to make them ecologically-friendly structures.

He also believes a minimum rating should be established for all buildings from the beginning.