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KUWAIT GREEN BUILDING FORUM

FUNDAMENTALS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STANDARDS AND CODE IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD OF

KUWAIT National Committee of Building Codes in Kuwait

Eng. Alia Al.SayeghChair of Green Buildings Technical Team

23rd May, 2012

GCC Construction Projects

• National Committee of Building Codes of Kuwait (NCOBC) was established by the Council of Ministers’ Decree # 1145, dated August 16th,2010.

Establishment of KNCOBC

Demand for Unified Sustainable Construction

Codes

Challenges of Climate Change

High Energy Consumption

RateResources Exhaustion

The need for Building Codes

NCOBC

Technical Team

Concrete Code Team

Energy Code Team

Fire Code Team

Green Buildings

Team

Accessibility & Special

Needs

Strategic Team

Structure of NCOBC

GB Technical Team

Goals• 1. the ultimate goal- to work towards sustainable

built environment which is aligned with the internationally accepted sustainability values

• 2. to create codes, standards and practices as integral and coordinated part of the building & construction process

• 3. to coordinate with other teams and to contribute to integrated construction building construction system of codes, standards and practices

Challenges of Green Approach1. Lack of Economical Driving Force2. Social Factors (awareness & knowledge)3. Shortage in Local experience, specialists and

expertise4. Privation of adopting governmental authority5. Reliance and/or Conflict with other building

regulations 6. Lack of incentives7. Poor Green Market

Our Start

•Objectives & road map to Achieve the Goals

•Roles and responsibilities within the team

•Work program and needed Stages

•Necessary studies: references, systems, existing practices

•Terms and Terminology

GBT Team - Work Stages

• To reach the assigned goals and objectives in the best way, the GBT team agreed to work in the following stages :

1- Studies & Application of GB Systems2- Elaborating Green Building Standards3- Elaborating Codes and Regulations4- Monitor and follow-up with the

developments of Authorities Implementing the issued standards & codes.

Stage I : Studies & Application of GB Systems

• Stage Kickoff : Nov,2010• Stage Report issued : Feb, 2012• Report Title : Report #1 : Fundamentals for Establishment of Sustainable Design

Standards and Code in the Construction Field of Kuwait

• Pending : Finalizing Assessment on the case study project.

Vision of GBT on Report #1

• First “Green Building” Official Governmental Document

• Coming to a semi “Green-Building”-virgin Construction Field

• Fully Understanding of the Challenges • Producing a general framework Document on

the sustainability of design and construction works and the assessment of integrated building performance

Criticality of First Report

1. Decision Making

2. Construction Field Practices

3. Local & Regional Experience

4. Selection of Recommended Rating System

5. Setting Benchmark

Decision Making

Environmental Impacts of

Buildings

Green Transformation

Priority of Sustainable

Construction and Urban

Design

National Conditions : Mtrological,

industry, Biodiversity,

Climate Change,

Ecosystems

Tackled Issues Related to1. Decision Making

Scope extended to cover GCC

• Environmental Condition • Construction Market and practices• Marine and coastal Resources• Biodiversity and Protected areas• Policies and Initiatives• Legislative Initiatives• Institutional Developments• Civil Society

STATUS OF ACCESSION TO THE MAJOR MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS DEALING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

IN GCC COUNTRIES

Country Cites Cbd

Cartagena

Unfccc

Kyoto proto

col

Ozone Ccd Pops Cms Basel Herit

ageUnclo

s

Bahrain . R1996

. R1994

A2006

A1990

A1997

S2002

. R1992

R1991

R1985

Kuwait R2002

R2002

. A1994

A2005

A1992

R1997

S2001

. R1993

R2002

R1986

Oman . R1995

A2003

R1995

A2005

A1999

A1996

R2005

. A1995

A1981

R1989

Qatar A2001

R1996

A2007

A1996

A2005

A1996

A1999

A2004

. A1995

A1984

R2002

KSA A1996

A2001

. A1994

A2005

A1993

A1997

S2002

A1991

R1990

A1978

R1996

UAE A1990

R2000

. A1995

A2005

A1989

A1998

R2002

. R1992

A2001

S1993

R – Ratified, A – Acceded, S – Signed ((Source: The Middle East Institute, 2008)

Environmental Footprint Comparison

2008 GCC Key Data

Conclusion

• Despite all steps forward, greening buildings and sustainable transformation will require :

Comprehensive range of expanded

policies

Long term strategies

Setting of clear and realistic targets

(energy and water performance)

Cross-sectoral policies to fight climate change

Balance between economic incentives, effective legislations, regulations and

standards

Tackled Issues Related to2. Construction Field Practices

Aspects to consider for sustainability of buildings & construction

Green design approaches, whole building design

Introduced Steps toward GB standards

Cultural and historical specifities in architecture

Construction industry to date in Kuwait and in GCC

• Major Green and Eco-friendly projects in Kuwait and across the GCC

• Regional GB standards, codes and regulations• Regional Green Building Assessment systems• Analysis , comparisons

Tackled Issues Related to3. Local and Regional Experience

Projects Analyzed

Bahrain World Trade Center

Oman 1st Green Building by 2013

Eco-Friendly Stadiums in Qatar

Masdar City in UAEKing Abdulla University in KSAArab Organizations Building in Kuwait

4. Selection of Recommended Rating System

• The link between Assessment System and GB standards & Codes

• Review of International and Regional Rating Systems

• Define Criteria for selection

Review Phase

• GB Team reviewed the following systems :LEEDBREEAMGreen StarEstidamaQSAS

Scope of Review• Background• References & Standards• Methodology (Assessment Procedure)• Categories/ Classifications• Criteria• Rating• Local Compatibility

Unique Scheme CoverageScheme QSAS Estidama Comments

Mosques + + -QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Mosques that focuses on providing healthy and sustainable mosques and range from a measurement of energy consumption to the thermal comfort provided to prayer halls. Estidama does not have an assessment system for Mosques.

Hotels + + -QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Hotels developed to assess and rate the design of hotels ranging in varying scales from boutique hotels to large scale resorts. Estidama does not have an assessment system for Hotels.

Light Industry + + -QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Light Industry created to assess and rate the design of new light industrial buildings that use labor intensive operations primarily to produce consumer goods. Estidama does not have an assessment system for Light Industry.

Sports + + -QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Sports developed to assess and rate the sustainability performance for spectator sports facilities. Qatar 2022 has adopted the system for its venues for the tournament. Estidama does not have an assessment system for Sports.

Parks + + -QSAS have a comprehensive system dedicated to parks with multiple scales. Estidama does not have an assessment system for Parks.

Health Care UnderDevelopment -

QSAS will have a comprehensive system dedicated to health care facilities with multiple scales. Estidama does not have an assessment system for health care.

Rail++ -

QSAS developed this unique scheme for the Rail projects, fully understanding the specific challenges and considerations of them

Findings

• All systems address common major goals and concerns, addressed in common categories : Site Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Occupants Health, Materials Use

• However, Systems differ in : background, methodologies, standards, rating method, specific criteria and special considerations

Recommendations

• Team members recommended the Primary System QSAS and the Reference System BREEAM-Gulf.

• This was supported by the recommendation of The First Forum of the GCC Unified Building Code, 11-13 October,2010

• As well as the Saudi Forum of Green Buildings, 16-18 October, 2010.

• Pilot Project : Case Study – Application of QSAS on a local governmental project : EPWD Building :

Main goals & objectivesBriefly about the projectThe building special green building toolsThe QSAS method for GB assessmentExpected results and conclusions

5. Setting Benchmark

Project Data

• BUILT UP AREA : 33,000 m2• PLOT AREA : 4670 m2• VALUE : 13,000,000 K.D.• TYPE : OFFICE BUILDING• Number of floors : 3 basements + Ground + 9

Floors• Total parking : 220 cars• Total Users : 275 employees + Visitors

Project’s Main GB Design Features• Use of Renewable Energy (4 different solar applications)

• Minimum Energy consumption : HVAC energy efficient system, increased thermal insulation, minimized heat transmission and radiation by reduced “U” and shading values of glass

• Minimum Water consumption : collecting gutter drains , local water treatment plant, double piping for treated water reuse

• Fully automated building• Smart Architecture / Smart Design• Responsible Materials selection

Expected Impact on Local Environment

• Energy saving• Reduce CO2 emission• Use of recycled materials • Reduce the amount of construction waste materials• Efficient use of resources • Reduce impacts on

– Environment– Human health

• Improve quality of life

Expected Impact on Construction Industry

• Proper Use of Land and Sites• Reduce the life cycle cost of buildings• Efficient use of energy inside buildings• Proper use of building materials• Reduce the deterioration rate of building• Better Quality of Life for Building occupants

Finally…

Bringing Green Economy to the Forefront of Action is considered as a methodology of economics that supports the harmonious interaction between humans and nature and attempts to meet the needs of both simultaneously…