AME Info  August 04, 2008

A seminar will be organised next week by Dubai Municipality to discuss Dubai's vision of green buildings, its legal framework and the road map for the city's regulations in this regard.

The seminar, titled 'Build it Green: Greening of Dubai through Regulations' comes as part of the civic body's initiative to offer a continuous learning environment for the local architects and consultant engineers.

It will be held on Sunday, 10 August, at the City Hall, DM Headquarters, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and is organised in association with WSP, a prominent design, engineering and management consultancy firm.

Commenting on the significance of this seminar, Fawzi Mohammed Al Shehi, Acting Director of Buildings Department at the municipality, said:

'The instruction of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum to initiate green buildings in the UAE makes it possible to have structures of improved quality and reduced operating costs which would not only benefit the owner and the occupants but would bring about a positive impact on the environment.'

This seminar aims essentially at presenting a general overview of the main issues and solution strategies in key areas of the legal frame work and rules and regulations with regard to green buildings in Dubai,' he said.

He added that three experts will address the audience at the seminar.

In the first lecture, Dan Dowling of WSP will explain what constitutes a green building and what is the vision of Dubai Municipality and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) with regard to green buildings.

The second lecture will be delivered by Susan Rogers who will present a worldwide review of existing framework.

In the third lecture, Tim Armstrong will submit a road map for Dubai's regulations in the field of green buildings.