Futurescape: The Green Buildings

Property developers will have no choice but to construct ‘green' buildings in Dubai in the near future, experts say.

The long-term economic and environmental benefits of sustainable development cannot be ignored by landowners, architects said at the ongoing Cityscape Dubai 2007 event.

The Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, for example, wants to see measures put in place to promote the greening of the city's urban development.

International agencies such as Green Building Council and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) that rate towers on their environmental impact have opened UAE offices.

XPRESS spoke to Kinan Khatib, a young professional at the frontline of the green movement in Dubai.

ON GREEN PROJECTS

The Dubai International Financial Centre's Lighthouse Tower is set to be Dubai's first low-carbon commercial tower that aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 58 per cent and water consumption by up to 50 per cent. I suspect that we are close to the day where all new developments will have to pursue sustainable design principles.

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THE COST

Incorporating sustainable initiatives into projects from the outset is only marginally more expensive – some industry studies suggest less than two per cent extra. Even a three to 10 per cent premium is outweighed by the long-term benefits.

THE ADVANTAGE

Statistically, power consumption can be reduced by 60 per cent and water consumption by 50 per cent or even more.

ON LEED EMIRATES

LEED Emirates is the local adaptation of the US LEED. It is a performance-based green building rating system that can certify the merits of a green design. It is a third party validation of the sustainability of a building and, hence, it is attractive for both developers and designers because it sets the standards and provides a guarantee for the results.

ON THE FUTURE

It is recognised today that green is the only way forward. Our resources in water and energy are limited and we have an ethical responsibility towards the future generations.