Based on a lecture by Professor Phillip Jones (Head of School, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University)at the British University in Dubai (BUID)
Today, we live in a world where ‘sustainable’ urban development is no longer just a charitable ‘greener’ option but is the only sensible way forward. Many built environment professionals in Dubai realise that sustainablity needs to be part of the grand plan of any society that is urbanising at the rate of that in many Middle Eastern countries, Dubai included. And if regulation needs to be part of that thrust, so be it.
Professor Phillip Jones, Head of School, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, recently brought the message home to a wide variety of interested professionals at a presentation given at the British University in Dubai, home to postgraduate courses in Environmental Design offered by BUID in conjunction with Cardiff’s Welsh School of Architecture.
Bahrain's World Trade Centre was originally designed to support three wind turbines between towers
The limitless demand on energy and resources towards creating our urban built environment is fast catching up with the available non-renewable resources and in doing so, has brought irreparable damage to much of our environment. Working towards a sustainable urban growth, said Professor Jones, the building and regulatory authorities in most developed countries have integrated sustainable means and methods into building byelaws and statutory regulations. The urgency of making the trend global, and in particular in relation to in fast developing cities such as Dubai, was the key point of the lecture.
Dubai Municipality's ZabeelPark, was opened in March2006: the first of many
It offers play facilities,shade and greenery for asmall entrance fee
New developments likeDubai Marina offer preciouscar-free public space
Man’s social well-being is intrinsically linked with his built and natural environment. The built environment more often than not has been governed by economic determinants, increasingly at the expense of environmental and ecological sustainability. Today, sustainability is perceived as a complex balance between economic, ecological and social factors, none of which should be prioritised at the expense of the other.
An important aspect of sustainable urban development is the ‘ecological footprint’ of developments or conurbations which implies the resources ‘catchment area’ that goes into the making or creating developments – an awareness most relevant to Dubai for reportedly topping the list. The ‘One Planet Living’ initiative popularised by the WWF towards self-containment and a sustainable environment has been a hallmark in the direction of sustainable development.
In the largely private building industry where financial feasibility continues to dominate extent of integration of sustainable methods in developments, the onus has been on building authorities to regulate, encourage and provide incentives for sustainable methods in conception, construction and operation of buildings. Authorities also need to be instrumental in spreading awareness about sustainable development and encourage its application in all urban systems including transportation, industries, construction and urban waste management.
One of the most important objectives for sustainable development is limiting CO2 emission in the environment, a substantial waste product of urban systems including transportation, building construction and building operating systems. International initiatives like the Kyoto protocol have led countries to adopt policies (such as the European Directive and the UK Energy paper) towards using zero-to-low carbon energy sources and significant reduced carbon emissions.
Codes for sustainable buildings address energy efficiency, water efficiency, surface water management, site waste management and appropriate and efficient use of materials. Codes encourage ‘Low Energy Design’ which includes the following considerations:
- internal conditions – reduce internal energy loads
- efficient design, maximize day-lighting, passive HVAC, shading, insulation, solar control, thermal mass considerations
- efficient environmental systems and services for heating, cooling and ventilation
- commissioning and assessment
Several countries have formulated their own Building Environmental Assessment Methods towards assessing and regulating sustainable urban developments. As yet, Dubai of the UAE has none. Assessment methods need to be region-specific – depending on regional climate, available material resources, non-renewable and renewable energy sources, HVAC needs, construction methods, end users and operating costs.
It is often assumed that the cost of a sustainable ‘green’ building with its additional design input, specialised energy-saving systems, waste management and re-use systems and other operational requirements make it comparatively uneconomical when compared to the prevalent traditional building systems. The real picture unfolds on comparing ‘whole life costs’ of buildings taking into account their ecological footprint, energy and material consumption and waste management over the life of buildings. Research on ‘ whole life costs’ has shown although the additional building cost of ‘sustainable’ buildings over the traditional ones are less than 2 per cent, saving on running costs are a significant 30-50 per cent and operating cost savings accrue to 5-10 per cent. The biggest and immeasurable savings is of the environment.
An integrated approach towards sustainable urban development addresses all stages in life of buildings – planning, design, construction and operation. It ensures immense benefits in quantity and quality of our built and surrounding natural environment. This ‘sustainable’ or ‘lighter’ living needs to become a global order for urban growth to be in harmony with the environment.
