Sustainability Through Energy Conservation Building Codes: Comparative Analysis of Green Building Regulations in the Middle East

Rodríguez-Ubiñas, Edwin; Alzarouni, Sarah; Alhammadi, Noura; Alantali, Mohamed; Behzad, Fatma; Sgouridis, Sgouris

doi:10.2495/sc200081

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…A highly selective coated glass ensures solar protection and strong thermal insulation thus minimizing the use of air-conditioning systems. This glazing has a U-value of 1.5 W/m 2 K, which is 20% lower than the values proposed by Al Sa'fat, the Dubai Green Building Regulations-1.9 W/m 2 K [53,54]. In terms of the comfort and healthy environment for building occupants, the light transmittance of the selected glazing is 75%, which means it provides sufficient daylight and a clear unaltered view and is also a perfect use case for educational and mixed-use facilities.…”

Section: Passive Design Strategies Implemented At the See Institute B...mentioning

confidence: 81%

Decarbonization Strategies in the UAE Built Environment: An Evidence-Based Analysis Using COP26 and COP27 Recommendations

Locke,

Dsilva,

Zarmukhambetova

2023

Sustainability

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The urgency of addressing climate change is increasingly evident through the rise in devastating natural disasters and significant shifts in global temperatures. With the urbanization of rural landscapes to accommodate population growth, the built environment has emerged as a major contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately 40% of natural resource consumption and carbon emissions. In pursuit of tackling climate challenges, countries have united under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to develop strategies for climate action and adaptation, through the Conference of the Parties (COP). The UAE has been an active member of the COP and has been at the forefront of implementing decarbonization strategies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the decarbonization recommendations presented during COP26 and COP27, specifically focusing on the built environment sector. The primary objective is to highlight how recommendations were effectively incorporated into the UAE’s built environment sector, employing a case study approach further highlighting the specific implementation strategies adopted in the G+2 SEE Institute building while demonstrating how COP26, COP27, and the UAE’s National Climate Change Plan 2017–2050 recommendations were translated into practical measures. The study places particular emphasis on the areas of energy, water and waste management, investigating how these strategies were integrated to promote decarbonization efforts. By examining the G+2 SEE Institute building case, this research attempts to provide valuable insights on aligning built environment practices with climate change mitigation objectives. The planning of the building structure employed a systems thinking approach, while assessments were conducted to identify materials and designs that would enable the building to achieve net-zero status. Real-time data analysis was employed for comprehensive analysis. The findings of this study will contribute to the body of knowledge on sustainable construction practices and serve as a guide for stakeholders, including developers, policymakers, and practitioners, in adopting effective strategies in reducing carbon emissions and fostering environmental sustainability in line with the Paris Agreement.

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Section: Passive Design Strategies Implemented At the See Institute B...mentioning

confidence: 81%

Decarbonization Strategies in the UAE Built Environment: An Evidence-Based Analysis Using COP26 and COP27 Recommendations

Locke,

Dsilva,

Zarmukhambetova

2023

Sustainability

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“…With a stronger focus on sustainable development by the UAE government, federal and local agencies have established initiatives to improve building efficiency. In addition, the UAE regulators periodically revise their energy conservation codes, drawing progressively closer to the Nearly Zero Energy Buildings goal [9]. For instance, Dubai was the first city in the Middle East to commit to the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA) project, aiming to accelerate building efficiency policies and programs and double the global energy efficiency improvement rate by 2030 [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Off-Site Construction in Desert Environments: Zero-Energy Houses as Case Studies

2023

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The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources, and the building sector accounts for around 40% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. To contribute to the need for more sustainable solutions, this research analyzed and highlighted the benefits of off-site construction, utilizing eleven zero-energy prefabricated houses from the Solar Decathlon Middle East competition as case studies. The study used construction data documented by the competition organizers, such as drawings, manuals, photos, and in-person observations during the assembly process. The comparative analysis focused on the construction categories, types of solutions, structural materials, façade types, and building materials. The case studies featured both heavy and lightweight construction and three types of off-site construction: panelized, volumetric, and hybrid. The hybrid construction was the most utilized since it combines the advantages of less intensive on-site work of the volumetric solutions with the transportation benefits of 2D elements. The designers justified their selection of timber as a structural material based on its low environmental impact. In addition, they enhanced the environmental benefits of off-site construction by selecting eco-friendly materials and solutions that increase the efficiency of the houses.

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“…The annual average relative temperature in the Gulf area is around 42 • C. In GCC countries, the hot season lasts for five months, starting from the middle of May to the end of September, with an average daily high temperature above 44 • C, as shown in Figure 1. The hottest months of the year are July and August, with an average high of 47 • C and a low of 42 • C [2][3][4][5][6]. The heat level in GCC countries impacts body function in outdoor activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Air Conditioner Robot Prototype That Follows Humans in Outdoor Applications

et al. 2021

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According to Robert McSweeney, in light of a new study: “Conditions in the GCC could become so hot and humid in the coming years that staying outside for more than six hours will become difficult”. He is a climate analyst at CARBON BRIEF, a nonprofit temperature and climate analysis group. He also states that changes there can help give us an idea of what the rest of the world can expect if we do not reduce the emissions that pollute homes and factories. Because of the high temperatures in GCC countries, the effect of heat stress is very high there, which discourages shoppers and pedestrians from shopping in the open area due to the physical exertion and high risks faced by people and workers. Heat stress peaks in most Arab Gulf countries from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the summer season. Heat stress is increasingly an obstacle to economic efficiency in these countries. This work designs and develops a robot that tracks shoppers and provides a cool stream of air directly around them during shopping in open areas to reduce the effect of heat stress. The robot enables us to cool the temperature around customers in the market to increase comfort. In this project, a robot was designed and manufactured to track a specific person and cool the air around him through a cool stream of air generated by the air conditioner installed inside the robot. We used a Raspberry Pi camera sensor to detect the target person and interact with a single-board computer (Raspberry Pi 3) to accomplish this design and the prototype. Raspberry Pi controls the air-conditioning robot to follow the movement of the target person. We used image processing to discover the target shopper, the control system, and then guide the bot. In the meantime, the robot must also bypass any potential obstacles that could prevent its movement and cause a collision. We made a highly efficient design that can synchronize between the software algorithm and the mechanical platform of the robot. This work is merely the combination of a cool stream of air and a robot that follows a human.

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Sustainability Through Energy Conservation Building Codes: Comparative Analysis of Green Building Regulations in the Middle East

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Decarbonization Strategies in the UAE Built Environment: An Evidence-Based Analysis Using COP26 and COP27 Recommendations

Decarbonization Strategies in the UAE Built Environment: An Evidence-Based Analysis Using COP26 and COP27 Recommendations

Sustainable Off-Site Construction in Desert Environments: Zero-Energy Houses as Case Studies

Development of Air Conditioner Robot Prototype That Follows Humans in Outdoor Applications

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